Trump administration starts mailing $500 refunds to ACA enrollees in 30 states
The Treasury Department began issuing $500 checks to about 950,000 Americans in 30 states who were allegedly overcharged by the health-insurance marketplace, with eligibility based on income levels and lack of subsidies.
The U.S. Treasury Department has started mailing $500 refunds to roughly 950,000 people in 30 states who were enrolled in the Affordable Care Act marketplace and are claimed to have been overcharged by a user-fee. The payments are being sent to individuals whose incomes are above 400% of the federal poverty level, as well as some who earn between 100% and 400% of that threshold but did not receive premium subsidies.
States receiving the checks include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Residents of the remaining 20 states will not receive refunds because those states operate their own exchanges rather than the federal platform.
"For years, the Biden Administration overcharged you to fund the operation of HealthCare.gov. That money belongs to hard-working Americans, not the Government, and now, I am returning it to you," a letter accompanying the checks reads.
Johns Hopkins health-policy professor Gerard Anderson expressed doubt that the refunds will reach those most affected by recent policy changes, noting that the amount is not linked to individual medical costs or the loss of premium tax credits that expired last year.
The administration had initially indicated that checks would begin mailing in October 2026, but officials said distribution started earlier this week. Recipients will receive the payment along with the accompanying letter, though the timeline for delivery to all eligible individuals remains unclear.