Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) allows agents to complete the full Marketplace enrollment process directly on HealthSherpa.

In this article we’ll cover:

Enabling EDE is not required for HealthSherpa Enrollee Assistance Full-Service account types.

Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) basics

Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) is a CMS-approved technology that creates a secure backend connection to the Marketplace.

HealthSherpa was the first platform to partner with CMS to offer EDE for agents.

With HealthSherpa’s free EDE integration, agents can complete Marketplace actions without leaving HealthSherpa.

Benefits of HealthSherpa's EDE

HealthSherpa provides leading-edge technology through its EDE experience.

With EDE enabled, agents can complete many Marketplace actions directly on HealthSherpa, including:

Get quotes and shop for plans
Complete and edit subsidy applications using a faster experience
Retrieve updated eligibility results
Submit enrollments and renewals
Identify and manage follow-ups in real time
Upload required documents
View current application statuses
Make binder payments
Report Life Changes
View and download Marketplace documents, including:
- Eligibility determination notices
- 1095-A tax forms
- Insufficient documentation notices
Use reporting tools
Improve effectuation rate using post-enrollment tools

To access all EDE features, agents must complete the free EDE approval process.

Getting EDE approved

Agents must complete the steps below to enable HealthSherpa’s free EDE.

Step 1: Integrate your FFM account

Integrate the CMS Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) account with the HealthSherpa account. EDE is not available until FFM integration is complete.

Step 2: Select the Enable EDE button

Select the Enable EDE button located at the top of the HealthSherpa dashboard to initiate identity verification.

Step 3: Verify your identity

CMS requires agents to verify their identity when using Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) pathways, such as HealthSherpa. Complete the information fields then select submit to proceed.

Agents who are not FFM certified but are certified to sell coverage through a supported SBM, such as Georgia, should reach out to Agent Support to manually complete this step.

Step 4: Arrive at your dashboard

Once your identity has been verified, the HealthSherpa dashboard will load and the Enable EDE button will no longer be present.

EDE enrollment experience

Once you have enabled EDE within your account you will have the ability to assist consumers with enrollments.

With consumer consent, you may search for a consumer's existing subsidy application by keying in their information, checking the box indicating you have received consent to work on the consumer's behalf, and selecting the "Search the Marketplace" button.

With HealthSherpa, agents can use Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) to process the full subsidy application, without the client needing to log into HealthCare.gov.

HealthSherpa will sync with the Marketplace to retrieve the final eligibility results -this may take a few seconds.

Once the results are ready, if eligible, you’ll then move to plan shopping.

Plan results can be filtered to ensure you're finding the strongest plan to meet your client's needs.

From the plan results page, if needed you can also save your consumer’s information as a lead and come back to finalize later.

Once a plan is confirmed, your enrollment submission is complete. After submission, comes the important step of effectuating the policy.

HealthSherpa offers post-enrollment tools for agents to manage and service clients after initial enrollment to help effectuate clients. Watch a recording of one of our recent webinars to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

What if I see the 'Enable EDE' button reappear at a later date?

Once you have enabled EDE, if you ever notice the ‘Enable EDE’ button reappear, simply repeat these steps and enable EDE. EDE connectivity can be severed by a variety of things including:

loss of application permission (eg. permission was lost or expired)
loss of FFM certification
loss of EDE connectivity (eg. through a CMS password expiration)

What do I do if I am not FFM certified, but sell in one of the HealthSherpa supported ACA state-based marketplaces?

If you are not FFM certified, but are certified to sell within one of the supported ACA state-based marketplace (e.g. Georgia), you will need to reach out to Agent Support. Agent Support will be able to manually complete identity verification so that you may proceed.

Is there something I need to do to setup EDE?

EDE is a CMS-approved technology that allows a secure backend integration into HealthCare.gov. In order to gain access to all the functionality EDE offers, follow he steps outlined here.

You will integrate your HealthSherpa account with your FFM account then you will be prompted to verify your identity in order to get approved to use EDE.

Does EDE allow you to make changes to an application?

Yes. With HealthSherpa's secure EDE you can update a consumer's name, date of birth (DOB), social security number (SSN), and make changes to the application (e.g. update income). Learn more about how to report changes here.

HealthSherpa provides you with complete policy management tools and reporting; meaning, you can also view policy status, DMIs, SVIs, eligibility letters and so much more - all within HealthSherpa!

The redirect link to hc.gov (Double Redirect or “DRD”) will no longer be available after November 1st, 2025.

This change is a requirement from CMS, and all Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) partners, including HealthSherpa, must comply. CMS is prioritizing investment in EDE, which offers better technology, program integrity, and ongoing improvements not available in the Double Redirect pathway.

Resources are available in English & Spanish if you'd like to learn more about this change and how to increase efficiency using the EDE pathway.

Additional Resources

Have questions? Contact our Agent Support Team at (888) 684-1373 or agent_support@healthsherpa.com.

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