CMS finalizes rule expanding healthcare access for DACA recipients, potentially enrolling 100,000 previously uninsured

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have finalized a rule that will expand healthcare access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. This rule aims to ensure that DACA recipients will no longer be excluded from enrolling in a Qualified Health Plan through the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace or for coverage through a Basic Health Program.

According to CMS, this rule could potentially lead to 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients enrolling in health coverage through Marketplaces or a BHP. This is significant because those without health insurance are less likely to receive preventive or routine health screenings, and may delay necessary medical care, leading to high costs and debts when they do seek care.

DACA recipients are currently three times more likely to be uninsured than the general U.S. population. The agency also mentioned that DACA recipients who qualify to enroll in a marketplace plan may also qualify for advance payments of the premium tax credit and cost-sharing reductions to reduce the cost of their marketplace coverage, depending on their income.

This rule will allow DACA recipients and other newly eligible individuals to qualify for a special enrollment period to select a health plan through the marketplace during the 60 days following the rule’s November 1 effective date. The timing of this enrollment period also coincides with the 2025 Open Enrollment Period, ensuring that newly eligible individuals can seamlessly enroll in coverage.

Overall, this rule will have a significant impact on DACA recipients, providing them with access to quality healthcare coverage that was previously unavailable to them. It is a step towards addressing the healthcare disparities faced by DACA recipients and ensuring that they have access to the care they need.