Trump says $500 refunds coming. Here's who get them
About 1 million Americans could soon get a surprise check in the mail. President Donald Trump announced Thursday, Sept. 10, that qualifying Obamacare enrollees in 30 states will receive a $500 refund this fall, with payments expected to begin in October.
"Our administration is doing the right thing and giving the money back to the people who were wrongly ripped off,” Trump stated in a video posted by the White House.
Trump said the refunds stem from what his administration describes as excess fees collected through Healthcare.gov, the federal marketplace used to buy Affordable Care Act coverage. The announcement is separate from the president's proposed $5,000 dividend unveiled at the Republican Party's midterm convention a day earlier.
Here's who qualifies, when checks could arrive and why the payments are being issued.
When will the refund checks be sent?
Trump said qualifying recipients will receive their checks in October.
How much will the refund be?
Eligible consumers will receive a one-time $500 payment, according to Trump.
Who qualifies?
The White House said about 1 million people in the 30 states that use Healthcare.gov will qualify.
Recipients are Americans who purchased coverage through the federal marketplace and did not receive premium assistance under the Affordable Care Act.
Why are people receiving refunds?
The Trump administration says the Biden administration collected user fees from health insurers that were ultimately passed on to consumers through higher premiums. According to the White House, those fees exceeded the amount needed to operate the federal exchange.
The announcement comes as many ACA consumers have seen insurance costs rise following the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies at the end of 2025.
It's also separate from the Affordable Care Act's longstanding medical loss ratio rebate program, which requires insurers to return money to consumers when they spend less than 80% of premium dollars on health care and quality improvements. Those insurer rebates have been issued since 2012.
Which states use Healthcare.gov?
The following states use the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming