CMS Removes 760k from ACA Plans

Agency says part of larger effort to address fraud in federal marketplaces

September 24, 2026

CMS this week announced it is removing 760,000 people from Affordable Care Act plans across the U.S.

Here’s what you need to know:

• By the numbers:  CMS said it has canceled 315,000 “unauthorized enrollments,” which is expected to return $2.2 billion in federal subsidies.
• Criteria:  During a press conference and in related materials, officials did not release details about the criteria to remove people from coverage rolls; they noted 35 percent of current Affordable Care Act enrollees never used their health coverage.
  • They also cited a lack of social security numbers among enrollees needed to verify eligibility.
  • Federal officials pledged to conduct investigations into another 419,000 individuals to verify immigration status and income requirements.
• Broker moratorium:  The agency also announced a temporary moratorium on 2027 registration for agents and brokers if they do not have active exchange agreements for the current year.
  • CMS said it is focused on ensuring agents and brokers maintain marketplace standards, sending 569 termination notices to agents and brokers who submitted applications without key applicant information.
• Quotable:  “We are using our data, enforcement authorities, and stronger safeguards to identify fraud and abuse, stop it, and recover taxpayer dollars,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in a statement.

Additional information and a fact sheet are available online.