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Template Policy FAQs

Template Use

Q1: What is the required or recommended sequence for completing/entering data on to templates?  Does the sequence matter when completing templates for review?
  • Issuers must submit their templates in specific groupings as identified in the Marketplace Plan Management System (MPMS) Module. CMS recommends issuers consider the following when completing templates:
    • Issuers should consider completing the Network ID Template, Service Area Template, and Prescription Drug Template before completing the Plans & Benefits and NA Templates.
      • This is because the network ID, service area ID, and formulary ID in those templates are used in the Plans & Benefits Template and NA Template.
      • The issuer should take note of the sequence of network, service area, and formulary IDs for use in linking across templates.  
    • Issuers must submit a Plans & Benefits Template (for HIOS issuers) or transfer via SERFF (for SERFF issuers) before submitting URLs. URL submission will not be available until the Plans and Benefits Section has reached the status of ‘Ready to Submit’ or once a successful plan transfer has been received (for SERFF issuers).
    • Once templates are completed, issuers must first upload them in the Plan Validation Workspace and resolve any identified errors. Once all errors are resolved, issuers may then proceed with linking the templates to their QHP Application for submission.
    For more information about completing templates, please see the QHP Application Instructions.

    Q2: Are there character limits on the free text fields in the QHP Application Templates?
    • Yes, there are character limits on at least one string (‘free-text’) field in each of the following templates:
      • Plans & Benefits
      • Service Area
      • Network ID
      • Network Adequacy
      • Prescription Drug
      • Transparency in Coverage
    The maximum length varies by template and field. For specific information about the character limits for each open data field and each template, please review the MPMS Validations List, located on the Data Validation webpage.

    Template Submission

    Q1: What does CMS mean by submitting a template for each "HIOS ID"?
    • QHP and SADP issuers are required to complete and submit separate templates for each HIOS ID for each plan year's data submissions. The reference to each "HIOS ID" means the issuer's Health Insurance Oversight System (HIOS) ID number (issuer ID) and it is unique for each state in which an issuer offers coverage.