115,000 to Lose Coverage Over Immigration Info

Politico

By Brett Norman

September 15, 2014

115,000 to lose coverage over immigration info 

About 115,000 people will lose their Obamacare health coverage at the end of the month because the government doesn’t have proof of their citizenship or immigration status.

But Andy Slavitt, the principal deputy administrator of CMS, also said that their coverage could be restored, effective Oct. 1, if people submit the needed documentation. They would be able to sign up during a “special enrollment” period.

CMS sent 310,000 final notice letters last month, after trying to contact people by phone, mail and email, warning that they had to respond by Sept. 5 or lose coverage at the end of the month. It began sending cancellation letters Monday to those who didn’t respond.

That was down from 966,000 “data-matching” citizenship and immigration issues at the end of May, the agency said, meaning the vast majority had problems with verification and paperwork, not with their immigration status. But the status of those who haven’t yet responded to CMS is unknown.

Florida and Texas residents account for nearly half of the 115,000 people facing loss of coverage based on the immigration or citizenship questions, the agency reported. CMS sent cancellation notices to 35,100 people in Florida and 19,600 people in Texas. Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania have several thousand cases each, as well.

“Let me affirm that if they will pay their premiums, and are eligible for coverage, they will continue to get coverage,” Slavitt said in a conference call with reporters, explaining CMS’s ongoing efforts to work out status problems and keep people covered.

Slavitt also announced that the agency had begun sending letters to 279,000 households whose reported income does not match government records at the IRS.

Of 1.2 million household income inconsistencies since May 30, CMS reported, 897,000 have been resolved or are in the process.

Unlike those with immigration data match issues, people who do not respond by the deadline are not at risk of losing coverage. However, if they don’t answer by Sept. 30 they could see changes in premiums and co-payments starting Nov. 1, based on the government’s income records.

Unresolved income problems will also impact tax bills and refunds, the agency warned.

CMS is trying to resolve what it calls “data matching” inconsistencies to make sure those who are receiving subsidies are eligible — issues that need to be resolved before people begin reenrolling in plans starting Nov. 15. CMS is focused on consumers in the 36 states that use HealthCare.gov. The state-based exchanges are undertaking separate efforts to clear up their records.

For more information, go to:  www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com