VA and Medicare to Cross-Check Health Coverage Data
Published Date: 7/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are teaming up to double-check who’s eligible for health insurance help under the Affordable Care Act. This new matching program starts around mid-May 2026 and runs for 18 months, with a chance to renew for another year. If you’re involved with these benefits, this means your info might be shared securely to make sure you get the right coverage, with a comment deadline on August 5, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
VA–CMS Data Match for Marketplace Help
CMS and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will run a matching program (about May 15, 2026 to Nov 15, 2027) to check whether Veterans are enrolled in Minimum Essential Coverage so CMS and State Administering Entities can determine eligibility for Insurance Affordability Programs, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Basic Health Program. The program may be renewed for one year and comments on the notice were due by August 5, 2026.
VA Disability Data Used for Subsidies
CMS and State Administering Entities will use VA disability data provided under the matching program to determine eligibility for advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). The matching program runs approximately May 15, 2026 to Nov 15, 2027 and may be renewed for one year.
Personal Identifiers Shared Between Agencies
The matching program will share personal identity and enrollment records (for example: full name, date of birth, sex, Social Security number, coverage start/end dates, and disability ratings) between VA and CMS to verify applicants' enrollment in VHA health programs. The exchange of these specific data elements is part of the match conducted approximately May 15, 2026 to Nov 15, 2027.
VA Date-of-Death Matches Return as Non-Match
If a CMS request yields a match but the VA record contains a Date of Death, VA will respond to CMS with a non-match (a blank date) under this matching program. The program term is approximately May 15, 2026 to Nov 15, 2027.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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