Treasury Mails $500 Refund Checks to Unsubsidized ACA Enrollees
The Trump Administration has begun mailing $500 checks to approximately 950,000 people who purchased ACA Marketplace coverage without premium assistance in 30 states. The administration describes the payments as refunds of excess exchange user fees charged to consumers.
Who Is Eligible
The administration has begun mailing $500 checks to about 950,000 people who bought HealthCare.gov coverage in 30 states without premium assistance, mostly enrollees above 400 percent of the poverty line. The White House describes the payments as refunds of excess exchange user fees.
Timing and Process
These checks are being mailed out now, in early October 2026. If you purchased ACA coverage directly (without subsidies) through the federal marketplace in 2026, watch for this check in the mail. It may take several weeks to arrive depending on your address.
What This Means for Expats and Foreigners
If you are a visa holder, green card holder, or documented immigrant who pays full-price ACA Marketplace premiums without subsidies, you may be entitled to this refund. Check that your mailing address with HealthCare.gov is current, and if you don't receive a check within the next month, contact the federal marketplace for confirmation of your eligibility. This refund is one-time only and does not affect your ongoing coverage or 2027 enrollment.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
