While federal officials have resolved hundreds of thousands of data discrepancies for consumers enrolled in the Obama health law, 115,000 people could lose their coverage at the end of September, because they have not been able to prove that they are U.S. citizens or legal residents.
And officials say another 363,000 people - from 279,000 households - could see tax subsidies trimmed that help them buy health insurance, because of discrepancies over how much income those people make.
"We recognize that we still have work to do here," said Andy Slavitt, the number two official in charge of the Obama health law.
"There are people whose situations who have not been resolved that we haven't heard from," said Slavitt, who told reporters on a Monday afternoon conference call that they still hoped to iron out some of the data discrepancies.
1.2 million households had some kind of data issue on their yearly income, which determined the level of tax credits that could be offered; almost 900,000 of those cases were resolved, leaving the 279,000 outstanding.
966,000 people had some kind of data issue revolving around citizenship and immigration issues; over 850,000 of those were resolved, leaving the 115,000 who may get pushed off the insurance rolls.
"Those who submit information that confirms their eligibility after the deadline may be eligible for a special enrollment period to enroll in coverage," the feds said in a news release.
No answer on overall numbers
During the conference call with reporters, Slavitt was asked how many people had been dropped from insurance coverage because they did not pay their premiums.
He did not seem interested in giving reporters an answer.
"We're not releasing any additional numbers that I haven't talked about in this call already," Slavitt said bluntly, moving on to another reporter's question.
After updating enrollment numbers every month earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services has not released any information about extra signups over the summer - or people who have failed to pay their premiums.
The House Oversight Committee will delve further into the operation of the healthcare.gov website on Thursday of this week, as lawmakers hear from the Marilyn Tavenner, the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
About the Author
