Covered California offers resources for DACA recipients no longer eligible for care

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(FOX 5/KUSI) — More than 2,300 recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program across California — including in San Diego — will lose their health insurance through Covered California at the end of August following a recent federal rule change.

According to a statement issued Thursday by Covered California officials, the state’s health insurance marketplace, the coverage termination stems from a new regulation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The agency’s updated Marketplace Integrity Rule, published in June, redefines “lawfully present” immigrants under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), now excluding participants in the DACA program.

As a result, all DACA recipients enrolled through Covered California will see their insurance end on Aug. 31, 2025.

“Covered California is deeply disheartened by the updated rule issued by this federal administration, which targets DACA recipients who are working to provide for their families and secure access to essential health insurance,” said Jessica Altman, the executive director of Covered California. “The decision is deeply unfair to hard-working, tax-paying individuals in California who trusted that they would have health insurance for 2025, only to have it stripped away eight months later.”

Altman emphasized that while the agency must follow federal law, it is doing all it can to support those affected enrollees. In fact, Covered California has already begun reaching out to impacted individuals through letters, phone calls, and emails to help them understand the change and explore alternative coverage options.

The agency is urging DACA recipients to act quickly to avoid coverage gaps and financial hardships. Covered California officials have recommended that they explore these potential health care alternatives:

• Medi-Cal: Some may qualify for Medi-Cal. Eligibility information is available at CoveredCA.com or through local county social services offices.
• Employer-based insurance: Those with jobs that offer health benefits should check with their employers about eligibility.
• Direct purchase: Individuals can buy health insurance directly from private insurers outside of the Covered California marketplace.

Additionally, legal aid and consumer advocacy organizations may assist DACA recipients in understanding their rights and navigating new insurance options. The California Department of Social Services’ Immigration Services Bureau also maintains a list of qualified nonprofit organizations providing immigration-related services.

Covered California has created dedicated resources in both English and Spanish to help DACA recipients through the transition, including:

English resources

• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) FAQ

Spanish resources

• Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA)
• Preguntas frecuentes: Acción diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA)

Those with questions can contact Covered California directly:

• English Line: (800) 300-1506
• Spanish Line: (800) 300-0213

“While we had hoped for a different outcome for DACA recipients, we must comply with federal law,” Altman continued. “In anticipation of this rule change going into effect, Covered California is doing everything we can to support DACA recipients with information and resources to understand what is happening and find other health insurance options.”

Officials with Covered California say the agency remains committed to advocating for inclusive healthcare policies and will continue sharing updates as new information becomes available.