Who Can Get Lower ObamaCare Costs in 2027? Immigration Status Changes Explained
Updated October 12, 2026 · By the Arte Insurance team · 7-minute read
A federal law passed in 2025 changes who can get premium tax credits, the savings that lower your monthly ObamaCare premium, starting January 1, 2027. It does not change who can buy a Marketplace plan. It changes who gets help paying for it. If you or someone in your family is not a U.S. citizen, here is what to know before Open Enrollment (November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027).
Who can still get savings in 2027
If they meet the other rules (income, no other qualifying coverage, filing taxes and so on), these groups can still get premium tax credits and extra savings on deductibles and copays:
U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
Cuban or Haitian entrants
COFA migrants: citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau living in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association
Who may lose savings starting January 1, 2027
Other lawfully present immigrants can still enroll in a Marketplace plan, but generally must pay the full premium, with no premium tax credits or cost-sharing savings. Depending on your situation, this can include, for example, people with:
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Refugee or asylee status, without a green card yet
Certain work, student or other visas
Parole that does not count as Cuban or Haitian entrant status
These are examples, not a complete legal list. Your exact eligibility depends on your documents and how the Marketplace verifies them.
What does “Cuban or Haitian entrant” mean?
Federal law (section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980) defines this group broadly. It includes people granted parole as a “Cuban/Haitian Entrant (Status Pending).” It also includes other Cuban or Haitian nationals who were paroled into the U.S., who are in removal proceedings or who have an asylum application pending, as long as they do not have a final order of removal.
Immigration situations can be complicated. If you’re not sure which category applies to you, talk to an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative. We don’t give immigration advice, but we can help you see what the Marketplace application shows for your household.
If you’re already enrolled: what happens at renewal
According to the federal government’s guidance for 2027:
Update your immigration documents during Open Enrollment. The government strongly encourages current enrollees to do this.
If your eligible status is verified, you keep your savings for 2027 (if you are otherwise eligible).
If your status can’t be verified, you may be renewed into a 2027 plan without savings starting January 1, 2027. That means a much higher monthly bill.
If the Marketplace asks you for documents, you generally have 95 days to send them, for example a green card, an employment authorization document (EAD) or an I-94. Send them early.
Watch your mail and your HealthCare.gov account. You should get notices explaining the decision and your right to appeal.
Mixed-status families
Each person is looked at separately. A family can apply for savings for the members who qualify, such as a child who is a U.S. citizen, even if a parent does not qualify. Family members who are not applying for coverage won’t be asked about their immigration status.
What to do now
Gather your immigration documents and your best estimate of your 2027 income.
Log in to your Marketplace account after November 1 and update your application before December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
If you will lose savings, compare every plan available to you. The cheapest option may be different from your current plan.
Ask us to run the numbers with you. It’s free, and we can help in Spanish or English.
How Arte Insurance can help
We are a licensed Florida insurance agency (license L116417) serving families in English and Spanish. We help you update your application, compare plans and understand your costs. Your premium is the same whether you enroll with us or on your own. Before we help with a Marketplace application, we ask for your consent.
Get a free quote or call (305) 440-8070. See also: Open Enrollment 2027 in Florida: key dates.
Arte Insurance is a private, licensed insurance agency. We are not HealthCare.gov or a government agency. You can also enroll directly at HealthCare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). This article is general information, not tax, legal or immigration advice.
Sources: CMS: Noncitizen eligibility for APTC and CSRs, plan year 2027 (Oct. 5, 2026) · HealthCare.gov: Coverage for lawfully present immigrants · HealthCare.gov: Health coverage for immigrant families · HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines
