Obamacare Coverage In Jeopardy For 310,000 Unless They Verify Immigration Status

The Obama administration warned some 310,000 individuals that they may lose their insurance coverage on the Obamacare exchanges if they don’t submit documentation to verify their lawful immigration status in the United States by September 5.

“Today, we sent out letters to the approximately 310,000 consumers with citizenship or immigration data matching errors who have not responded asking them to submit their documentation,” the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which runs Obamacare, said in a statement Tuesday. “These notices remind them that in order to keep their coverage they have to submit the outstanding documents by September 5th. If they do not, their Marketplace coverage will end by September 30th.”

The notices were sent in English and Spanish, CMS said.

The problems arose when citizenship or residency data — such as a Social Security or Permanent Resident Card number — submitted by applicants did not match information that the government has about them. Obamacare coverage is prohibited for people who are unlawfully present in the U.S.

CMS said it has worked to reach customers with a data matching problem “five to seven times — via mail, phone and email” to request their information. It said it has closed 450,000 such cases and is working through an additional 210,000.

“However, some still have not responded,” said CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. “We want as many consumers as possible to remain enrolled in Marketplace coverage, so we are giving these individuals a last chance to submit their documents before their coverage through the Marketplace will end.”

This article has been updated for clarity.