California’s Obamacare exchange is ensuring that illegal immigrants are not enrolled in the insurance plans, many of which are subsidized by taxpayers.
Christina Hung, left, 23, of Oakland fills out an application form during a health care enrollment event at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center Monday, March 31, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. Whether it's a chance for a subsidy or to avoid a tax penalty, Californians are making a last-minute dash to sign up for health coverage. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Covered California is canceling enrollment for 10,474 people who did not provide proof of citizenship or legal residency in the United States, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Affordable Care Act prohibits illegal immigrants from enrolling in health insurance offered through federal and state sponsored marketplaces created under the law.
The California residents without evidence of legal status will get a “pre-termination notice” this week. But there is still time, said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California.
"We are hopeful that anyone receiving these notices will respond by providing appropriate documents so we can work with them to ensure their ongoing eligibility for health coverage," Lee told the Times."Our goal is to continue coverage for anyone who is lawfully present."
About 1.2 million people enrolled in the California exchange over the past year. Most were able to verify their legal status or citizenship through the federal hub.
The Times reports that more than 148,000 enrollees initially lacked proof of eligibility and needed to submit documentation. But, 130,105 of them eventually provided proof of legal status. Covered California is still reviewing 7,629 enrollees. That left 10,474 who provided no evidence.
The correction is being made barely a month before the Nov. 15 open enrollment begins. It runs to Feb. 15, 2015.
