CACs - Certified Application Counselor Ethics and Impartiality Questions and Answers

Question 1

A CAC's roommate is an insurance agent who receives commissions for enrolling individuals in specific Qualified Health Plans.
The roommate offers the CAC a cash 'finder's fee' for every consumer the CAC refers to them who successfully enrolls.
What is the CAC's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Decline the offer as it represents a clear conflict of interest and is prohibited.

Answer

Accept the fee but disclose the arrangement to the consumer and the CDO.

Answer

Accept the offer, since the arrangement is with a roommate and not directly with an insurance issuer.

Answer

Refer consumers only if the roommate's plans are genuinely a good fit for their needs.

Question 2

Which of the following statements best defines the ethical principle of impartiality for a Certified Application Counselor?

Accepted Answer

Providing fair, accurate, and unbiased information on all available health coverage options to empower the consumer's choice.

Answer

Recommending the health plan with the lowest premium to save the consumer money.

Answer

Suggesting the plan offered by the most well-known insurance company in the state.

Answer

Assisting only those consumers who are likely to qualify for financial assistance.

Question 3

A consumer is overwhelmed by the number of plan choices and says to the CAC, "This is too much for me. You're the expert, just pick the best silver plan and sign me up." Which of the following is the most ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Explain that the CAC is prohibited from choosing a plan, and offer to use Marketplace tools to compare a few options side-by-side based on the consumer's stated priorities.

Answer

Comply with the consumer's request in the interest of providing efficient service.

Answer

Select the silver plan with the lowest deductible and complete the enrollment.

Answer

Refuse to assist the consumer further until they are willing to make their own selection.

Question 4

A CAC works for a hospital that is a CDO. The hospital's marketing department asks the CAC for a list of consumers who were successfully enrolled in Marketplace plans to send them a welcome packet and information about hospital services. Ethically, what must the CAC do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse the request, explaining that PII collected for enrollment purposes cannot be used for marketing without explicit, written consumer consent for that specific purpose.

Answer

Provide the list, as the marketing materials are beneficial to the consumers.

Answer

Provide the list but only for consumers who selected a plan affiliated with the hospital.

Answer

Ask the consumers for verbal permission before adding them to the marketing list.

Question 5

A consumer is very happy with the assistance they received and insists on giving the CAC a $25 restaurant gift card as a thank you. According to the standards of conduct for assisters, what is the appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline the gift, explaining that assisters are prohibited from accepting payments or gifts of any amount from consumers.

Answer

Accept the gift, since its value is small and does not create a significant conflict of interest.

Answer

Accept the gift on behalf of the CDO and turn it over to a supervisor.

Answer

Suggest the consumer mail the gift card to the CDO's main office instead.

Question 6

A Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization (CDO) is creating a new radio advertisement. Which of the following phrases would be inappropriate and violate the principle of impartiality?

Accepted Answer

"We'll get you enrolled in the best, most affordable health plan, guaranteed!"

Answer

"Our certified counselors offer free, unbiased help with your Marketplace application."

Answer

"Need help understanding your health insurance options? Schedule a free appointment today."

Answer

"We provide fair and accurate information to help you find the right coverage for your family."