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Organizations that provide consumer assistance for individuals and small businesses wanting to purchase private insurance through the marketplaces for themselves or, in the case of employers, for their employees. Their primary responsibility is to facilitate enrollment of consumers in health insurance plans offered through the marketplaces. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires the use of trained navigators to provide in-person education, and eligibility and enrollment assistance; and permits the use of trained in-person assisters and application counselors. The operator of the marketplace determines the process for establishing and managing the navigator program. Operations will vary depending on the model selected by the jurisdiction. Choices include a federally operated (or federally-facilitated) marketplace, a federal/state partnership or a state operated marketplace.