DACA Recipients May Apply for Certain Federal Healthcare Coverage as of November 1st

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients will be able to apply for healthcare coverage through certain federal programs pursuant to a final rule that takes effect November 1, 2024.

Main Takeaways:

On May 3rd, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a final rule expanding access to healthcare for DACA recipients through the Affordable Care Act Health (ACA) Insurance Marketplace or through a Basic Health Program (BHP).

DACA recipients are three times more likely to be uninsured than the general U.S. population. Approximately 100,000 uninsured DACA recipients who were previously excluded from eligibility are expected to enroll through the ACA Marketplace or a BHP.

During the 60 days following the rule’s November 1st, 2024, effective date, DACA recipients will qualify for a special enrollment period to select a health plan through the ACA Marketplace. Eligible recipients applying for coverage in November 2024 could have ACA Marketplace coverage begin as of December 1st and BHP coverage begin November 1st.