Health Insurance Enrollment for DACA Recipients is Here!

In May 2024, the Biden-Harris administration made the major announcement that DACA recipients would finally be able to access health care via the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace nearly 10 years after being left behind. Starting November 1, DACA recipients will be able to access affordable, quality health insurance and subsidies for the first time!

Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, both citizens and lawfully present noncitizens are able to access health care coverage and subsidies through the HealthCare.gov and state-based marketplaces. However, DACA recipients were arbitrarily considered exceptions to the definition of “lawfully present.” Without access to ACA health care coverage, DACA recipients have been left in the precarious position of relying on employment-based insurance that could end if they lost their job, or living without health care coverage entirely. As NILC has documented over the years, the financial, physical, and mental health consequences of this exclusion have been dire. (see: DACA Recipients’ Access to Health Care: 2024 Report). Now that the final rule removing that restriction is in effect, DACA recipients can start the enrollment process.

Enrolling is straightforward: DACA recipients will just visit Healthcare.gov or their state marketplace to explore options available to them and create an account. From there, they will indicate that they’re not U.S. citizens nor nationals but are considered lawfully present for the purposes of marketplace coverage. After verifying their status and identity and completing the rest of the application, DACA recipients will be able to select one of the plans presented to them and enroll!

DACA recipients without another affordable option for health coverage will be able to receive income-based subsidies to greatly reduce their costs. There are no immigration-related consequences for DACA recipients who enroll in ACA coverage, such as public charge, and doing so does not hurt future applications for status or citizenship. In fact, making sure they stay healthy is an excellent way for DACA recipients to be prepared for the future.

On top of the standard open enrollment period that runs from November 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025, DACA recipients will also be able to enroll during a “special enrollment period” from November 1 to December 30. If you enroll during this “special” period by November 30 and select 2024 as your coverage year, your health care coverage will kick in on December 1! For more information on how DACA recipients can enroll in ACA coverage, check our FAQ and our ACA Guide for DACA Recipients.

We’re all better when we take care of each other and ourselves, and expanding access to the ACA Marketplace is a huge step in the path towards health equity for all. Enrolling in affordable health insurance is a critical way to avoid going into unnecessary debt, confidently access critical mental health care services, and have peace of mind that you can get medical care should you need it. We believe in a society where health care is a right for all, not a privilege for some. Removing this barrier to access will ensure that DACA recipients can finally access life-saving services, and we encourage eligible DACA recipients to enroll as soon as possible.