42 U.S.C. § 18081
Procedures for determining eligibility for Exchange participation, premium tax credits and reduced cost-sharing, and individual responsibility exemptions
The information described in section 6103(l)(21) of title 26 1 for the taxable year ending with or within the second calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the plan year begins.
The amount of the enrollee’s permitted benefit (as defined in section 9831(d)(3)(C) of title 26) under a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (as defined in section 9831(d)(2) of such title).
The information described in section 18082(b)(2) of this title, including information with respect to individuals who were not required to file an income tax return for the taxable year described in subparagraph (A) or individuals who experienced changes in marital status or family size or significant reductions in income.
An Exchange shall submit the information provided by an applicant under subsection (b) to the Secretary for verification in accordance with the requirements of this subsection and subsection (d).
The Secretary shall submit the information described in subsection (b)(3)(A) provided under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subsection (b) to the Secretary of the Treasury for verification of household income and family size for purposes of eligibility.
The Secretary may modify the methods used under the program established by this section for the Exchange 2
In the case of information provided under subsection (b) that is not required under subsection (c) to be submitted to another person for verification, the Secretary shall verify the accuracy of such information in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate, including delegating responsibility for verification to the Exchange.
Each person to whom the Secretary provided information under subsection (c) shall report to the Secretary under the method established under subsection (c)(4) the results of its verification and the Secretary shall notify the Exchange of such results. Each person to whom the Secretary provided information under subsection (d) shall report to the Secretary in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate.
If information provided by an applicant under subsection (b)(5) is verified under subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary shall issue the certification of exemption described in section 18031(d)(4)(H) of this title.
If the information provided by any applicant under subsection (b)(2) is inconsistent with information in the records maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security or Secretary of Homeland Security, whichever is applicable, the applicant’s eligibility will be determined in the same manner as an individual’s eligibility under the medicaid program is determined under section 1396a(ee) of this title (as in effect on
The Exchange shall make a reasonable effort to identify and address the causes of such inconsistency, including through typographical or other clerical errors, by contacting the applicant to confirm the accuracy of the information, and by taking such additional actions as the Secretary, through regulation or other guidance, may identify.
Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Exchange shall, during any period before the close of the period under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), make any determination under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (a) on the basis of the information contained on the application.
If an inconsistency involving the eligibility for, or amount of, any premium tax credit or cost-sharing reduction is unresolved under this subsection as of the close of the period under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), the Exchange shall notify the applicant of the amount (if any) of the credit or reduction that is determined on the basis of the records maintained by persons under subsection (c).
If the Secretary notifies an Exchange that an enrollee is eligible for a premium tax credit under section 36B of title 26 or cost-sharing reduction under section 18071 of this title because the enrollee’s (or related individual’s) employer does not provide minimum essential coverage through an employer-sponsored plan or that the employer does provide that coverage but it is not affordable coverage, the Exchange shall notify the employer of such fact and that the employer may be liable for the payment assessed under section 4980H of title 26.
In any case where the inconsistency involving, or inability to verify, information provided under subsection (b)(5) is not resolved as of the close of the period under subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), the Exchange shall notify an applicant that no certification of exemption from any requirement or payment under section 5000A of such title will be issued.
The Exchange shall also notify each person receiving notice under this paragraph of the appeals processes established under subsection (f).
An applicant for insurance coverage or for a premium tax credit or cost-sharing reduction shall be required to provide only the information strictly necessary to authenticate identity, determine eligibility, and determine the amount of the credit or reduction.
No penalty shall be imposed under clause (i) if the Secretary determines that there was a reasonable cause for the failure and that the person acted in good faith.
Any person who knowingly and willfully provides false or fraudulent information under subsection (b) shall be subject, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, to a civil penalty of not more than $250,000.
Any person who knowingly and willfully uses or discloses information in violation of subsection (g) shall be subject, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, to a civil penalty of not more than $25,000.
Not later than
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 71301(c)(1), (3),
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking “and section 36B(e) of title 26”; and
(B) in paragraph (2)—
(I) in subparagraph (A), by striking “and” at the end;
(II) in subparagraph (B), by adding “and” at the end; and
(III) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(C) in the case such individual is an alien lawfully present in the United States, whether such individual is an eligible alien (within the meaning of section 36B(e)(2) of title 26);”;
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(D) Immigration status
“In the case the individual’s eligibility is based on an attestation of the enrollee’s immigration status, an attestation that such individual is an eligible alien (within the meaning of 36B(e)(2) of title 26).”; and
(3) in subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii), by adding at the end the following new subclause:
“(III) In the case of an individual described in clause (i)(I) with respect to whom a premium tax credit under section 36B of title 26 is being claimed, the attestation that the individual is an eligible alien (within the meaning of section 36B(e)(2) of title 26).”
See 2025 Amendment notes below.
Sections 36B(c)(2)(C) and 5000A(e)(2) of title 26, section 6103(l)(21) of title 26, and section 5000A of title 26, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and (b)(3)(A), (5), were in the original “sections 36B(c)(2)(C) and 5000A(e)(2)”, “section 6103(l)(21)”, and “section 5000A”, respectively, and were translated as if they had been followed by “of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
This title, referred to in subsecs. (f)(2)(B) and (i)(1), is title I of Pub. L. 111–148,
Section 1513, referred to in subsec. (i)(1), means section 1513 of Pub. L. 111–148.
2025—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 119–21, § 71301(c)(1)(A)(i), struck out “and section 36B(e) of title 26” before “that the individual be a citizen”.
Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 119–21, § 71301(c)(1)(A)(ii), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (b)(3)(D). Pub. L. 119–21, § 71301(c)(1)(B), added subpar. (D).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii)(III). Pub. L. 119–21, § 71301(c)(1)(C), added subcl. (III).
2016—Subsec. (b)(3)(B), (C). Pub. L. 114–255 added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).
Committee on Education and Labor of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Education and the Workforce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress,
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 71301(c)(3),
Amendment by Pub. L. 114–255 applicable to applications for enrollment made after
Pub. L. 113–46, div. B, § 1001,