Trump administration begins sending $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans

Updated on: September 30, 2026 / 1:37 PM EDT / CBS News

The Trump administration said it will start sending refund checks on Wednesday to Affordable Care Act enrollees across the U.S. who it says were "overcharged" by the Biden administration.

Nearly 1 million Americans across 30 states will receive the $500 checks, along with a letter from President Trump.

"For years, the Biden Administration overcharged you to fund the operation of HealthCare.gov," Mr. Trump says in the letter, a copy of which was shared with CBS News. "That money belongs to hard-working Americans, not the Government, and now, I am returning it to you!"

Some families with more than one "affected person" could receive multiple payments via check or direct deposit, an administration official told CBS News. The primary recipients of the checks will be people who earn above 400% of the federal poverty line, the official added.

The states where people are getting refunds rely on federal exchanges administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which charges a user fee. The White House said earlier this month that it is issuing the refunds because the Biden administration overcharged Americans through those fees and then passed it…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/