Legal status hinders immigrants’ purchase of health insurance

More than half a million individuals who bought plans on HealthCare.gov in 2015 faced documentation problems involving their immigration or citizenship status, USA Today reports.

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Presenting correct paperwork poses challenges that may cause immigrants to forgo health insurance. For instance, consumers tagged by CMS’ data matching system are required to prove their immigration or citizenship status within 95 days or their plans will end.

Even if the required documents are uploaded, if the paperwork is not verified in a timely matter, immigrants can have their plans terminated, according to the report.

CMS does allow those affected by lapses in data matching to reenroll during special enrollment periods. 

However, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said 85 percent less individuals had their health plans taken from them in the first three months of this year compared to the same time last year due to data matching issues. 

More articles about payer issues:
Only insurer on Wyoming ACA exchange requests average 8% premium increase
Boston nonprofit insurer raises premium rates 21%
Washington state insurance regulators approve average 13% premium hikes

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