Health insurance information for DACA recipients
In Washington state, new and existing customers who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients can continue to access health coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder.
The Exchange is watching federal activity around policy changes for DACA recipients, affecting their access to health coverage.
Background
On June 20, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule that excludes DACA recipients from the definition of “lawfully present” for the purposes of getting health and dental coverage under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, DACA recipients will lose access to federal premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies, reversing a that allowed access. In states other than Washington, DACA recipients will also lose access to marketplace coverage. Washington state has a 1332 waiver that allows continued access to marketplace coverage.
Current situation
Starting in late August 2025, applications for DACA recipients will be updated by Exchange staff in accordance with this federal change. DACA recipients will no longer receive federal savings as of Oct. 1, 2025. DACA recipients currently receiving federal savings may see an increase in their monthly premiums and cost-sharing amounts. Affected customers will receive notices with more information and updated eligibility results.
Even after the change is effective, current DACA customers will not lose coverage but may need to pay more, and all DACA recipients in Washington state will continue to be able to purchase health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder.
No current customer action is needed to keep coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder.
Frequently asked questions
All affected DACA customers were sent notices in their preferred languages informing them of this change. DACA customers will receive added notices in late August informing them of changes to the application and their updated eligibility results.
No action by customers is needed for them to keep their health and dental insurance, other than continued payment of monthly premiums. If customers have questions about their monthly payments, they can contact their insurance company.
Yes. DACA recipients with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are still eligible for Cascade Care Savings. DACA customers who are both losing federal savings and receiving Cascade Care Savings may see an increase in their Cascade Care Savings amount when their application is updated. New customers will not receive Cascade Care Savings in 2025 but can receive them for 2026.
DACA customers are encouraged to partner with a navigator to help with this and other future changes. Customers can search for a navigator in their community on Washington Healthplanfinder.
Yes. DACA customers who have lost federal premium tax credits have 60 days to select a new plan from the date on the notification with updated eligibility results. Affected customers will receive notice of their eligibility for an SEP. As a reminder, customers who choose to switch plans may lose any progress toward meeting their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
After the federal changes become effective, DACA recipients should not attest to being “lawfully present” in an application for health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder.
The safety of people applying for health coverage is important to us. Information about immigration is requested by Washington Healthplanfinder to determine health and dental plan eligibility. Information for people without a federally recognized immigration status is not shared by the Exchange. For more information, visit:
For more information about how data for people enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid) is handled by the Health Care Authority, visit:
The rule does not affect the groups below, who can continue to access federal savings for plan years 2025 and 2026.
This includes:
- Valid nonimmigrant visa-holders;
- People with a pending application for adjustment of status;
- People granted employment authorization;
- Family Unity Program beneficiaries;
- Special Immigrant Juveniles with approved petitions; and
- Certain asylum applicants under age 14.