Almost 100,000 California families face loss of Obamacare coverage because of eligibility “inconsistencies,” state officials say. The deadline is the end of the month.
Covered California said it’s reaching out “with a a multitouch, multichannel outreach approach to notify individuals who risk losing coverage,” the state Obamacare operation’s chief, Peter Lee, said in early September.
The eligibility questions almost all concern immigration status. “Proper proof” of individuals being “lawfully present” needs to be received by Sept. 30 or healthcare coverage can be terminated.
Covered California said paperwork submitted would not be used for any purpose than establishing eligibility. They “will not be used for immigration enforcement,” Covered California said in a press release concerning healthcare eligibility.
Notice began going out the week of Sept. 1, Covered California said. They are being send in English and Spanish, and help is available in other languages.
People who have been receiving tax credits via their Covered California healthcare policies may be required to repay them as well as pay a tax penalty. The maximum IRS payback is $1,250.
Lee warned:
If we do not get your documents, Covered California must cancel your health insurance, along with any federal tax credit you may be receiving that lowers your monthly premiums. If you have received tax credits, and your health insurance is canceled, you may have to repay those tax credits. If your health insurance is canceled, you may also have to pay a tax penalty.
The 2014 California Legislature considered a plan to extend Obamacare coverage to undocumented residents, but it failed to become law.
Non-residents were deliberately excluded from the Affordable Care Act during its development at the federal level, in part a political compromise.
Federal officials send out similar notices in August to more than 310,000 individuals. Those notices apply to people who bought Obamacare policies via the healthcare.gov web site.
Documents proving lawful presence in California and the U.S. include passports and green cards. View a full list of eligibility documents (PDF).
Read the Covered California FAQ about citizenship and lawful presence.
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