This article covers the immigration documents and identification numbers agents and brokers need to help consumers verify their lawfully present immigration status when completing a Marketplace eligibility application.
For general eligibility rules for immigrant families including Medicaid, CHIP, the 5-year waiting period, and Special Enrollment Periods, see ACA Marketplace Coverage for Immigrant Families.
Key Terms
Key Terms
Lawfully present: An immigration status that makes a consumer eligible to enroll in ACA Marketplace coverage.
Alien number (A-number): A unique identifier assigned to non-citizens by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Usually begins with the letter "A" followed by eight or nine digits.
Data Matching Issue (DMI): A discrepancy between information a consumer provides on their Marketplace application and federal data sources. Unresolved DMIs can result in the consumer losing coverage or financial assistance.
Which consumers need to verify their immigration status on a Marketplace application?
Consumers who attest to having an eligible immigration status will be asked to provide specific immigration identification numbers to verify that status. If the consumer has more than one current immigration document, they should use the document that contains an alien number, if one is available.
What documents can a consumer use to verify their immigration status?
Consumers may need one or more of the following documents or identification numbers:
Permanent Resident Card, "Green Card" (I-551)
Reentry Permit (I-327)
Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
Employment Authorization Document (I-766)
Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (with temporary I-551 language)
Temporary I-551 Stamp (on passport or I-94/I-94A)
Arrival/Departure Record (I-94/I-94A)
Foreign Passport
Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20)
Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (DS-2019)
Notice of Action (I-797)
Document indicating membership in a federally recognized Indian tribe or American Indian born in Canada
Certification from the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
ORR eligibility letter (for consumers under 18)
Document indicating withholding of removal
USCIS Acknowledgement of Receipt (I-797C)
To view sample documents, visit HealthCare.gov.
Should I still assist a consumer with their Marketplace application if they cannot provide immigration documents?
Yes. Marketplace-registered agents and brokers must assist all consumers seeking Marketplace coverage with completing a Marketplace application and reviewing their eligibility results, regardless of whether the consumer can provide immigration documents at the time of application. If immigration status cannot be verified, the consumer will receive a DMI and will need to submit additional documentation.
Additional Resources
For additional help please contact Producer Support, which is available by chat directly from your account, by phone at (866) 568-9649, or by email at [email protected].