Mere Benefits Recognized by CMS as a 2026 Marketplace Circle of Champions Recipient
Jacksonville, FL — Mere Benefits and founder Kate Spilsbury have been recognized by the Health Insurance Marketplace® as a member of the 2026 Marketplace Circle of Champions for helping consumers enroll in qualified health coverage during the 2026 Open Enrollment Period.
The recognition, awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), honors agents and brokers who actively helped consumers enroll in Marketplace coverage. The highest recognition tier is awarded to agents and brokers with 50 or more enrollments during Open Enrollment.
While the recognition program caps at the “50+ enrollment” level, Mere Benefits assisted significantly more individuals and families than the minimum threshold required for recognition.
Founded in Jacksonville, Florida, Mere Benefits focuses on helping individuals, families,
self-employed professionals, and small businesses navigate health insurance options with an educational and personalized approach. The agency provides guidance on Marketplace coverage, Medicare, supplemental insurance, group benefits, and Social Security planning.
“Health insurance can be incredibly overwhelming for people, especially when they are trying to understand subsidies, provider networks, prescription coverage, and how coverage decisions impact their finances and access to care,” said Kate Spilsbury, owner of Mere Benefits. “Our goal has always been to simplify the process and help people make informed decisions that fit their needs and comfort level — not just help them complete an application.”
This year’s Open Enrollment Period presented unique challenges for consumers nationwide as many Americans experienced significant premium increases following the expiration of enhanced Marketplace subsidies. Ongoing carrier changes, affordability concerns, and changing regulations created confusion for many individuals and families trying to maintain health coverage.
“Many families were shocked by how dramatically their premiums changed and were unsure what options were still available to them,” Spilsbury said. “Our team spent countless hours helping people understand their choices, review alternatives, and avoid unnecessary gaps in coverage during a very complicated enrollment season.”
Spilsbury, a 4th generation Floridian, has been licensed in the insurance industry since 2007 and has helped thousands of individuals navigate health insurance and Medicare decisions. She is also a Certified Medicare Insurance Planner® (CMIP®) and Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®).
Unlike many agencies that focus primarily on enrollment, Mere Benefits emphasizes ongoing support before and after enrollment through its MereCare team, assisting clients with provider questions, billing concerns, plan reviews, and coverage changes throughout the year.
“Agents and brokers play an important role in helping consumers understand their options and avoid costly mistakes,” Spilsbury added. “This recognition reflects the hard work our team puts into serving our community every day.”
Consumers interested in learning more about Marketplace health insurance options or requesting assistance can visit https://merebenefits.com/pages/aca-marketplace.html or contact Mere Benefits directly at 904-654-5450.
About Mere Benefits
Mere Benefits is a Jacksonville-based, female-owned health insurance agency serving individuals, families, self-employed professionals, and small businesses throughout Florida and multiple states. The agency specializes in Marketplace health insurance, Medicare, group benefits, supplemental coverage, and Social Security planning with a mission of simplifying benefits through education and personalized guidance.