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Summary of article:
The Social Security Administration has begun a review of the Medicare situation in accordance with the new law. Some beneficiaries need to provide additional documents to prove their immigration eligibility, otherwise they may lose the protection of the red and blue cards from February 1, 2027. Social Security retirement and disability benefits will not be affected.
US Social Security Administration (Education for all campaign ) announced that from now on it has startedTreatment (Medicare, commonly known asred and blue card ) Beneficiaries are sent an eligibility confirmation notice, requiring those whose U.S. citizenship or eligible immigrant status cannot be confirmed to submit supporting documentation within a specified period, otherwise Medicare coverage may be terminated beginning February 1, 2027. The federal health insurance program is also scheduled to send out warning notices printed on pink paper in December to once again remind affected people to deal with it immediately.
This measure is enacted in accordance with Section 71201 of Public Law 119-21, signed by President Trump in 2025. The new law restricts the eligibility of non-citizens to participate in Medicare, and the Social Security Administration has begun enforcing new rules for Medicare applications and insurance reviews.
The Social Security Administration announced this information on its official website on the 10th. Under the new law, people who meet the Medicare status requirements include U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), eligible immigrants from Cuba and Haiti, and citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau who legally reside in the United States under the Compact of Free Association (COFA).
Non-profit organization American-Asian Health Association told this newspaper that red and blue cards are not limited to US citizens only, green card holders can also be eligible; However, some originally eligible noncitizens, including refugees and those granted asylum, may lose protection due to the restrictions of the new law.
The American Asia Association said that even if a non-citizen is legally living in the United States and he or she or his or her spouse has accumulated enough work points, he or she must still meet the immigration status requirements set out in the new law. In other words, even if some refugees and asylum seekers have worked legally for many years, they may still lose their red and blue card eligibility if they have not obtained a green card or other eligible status.
The Social Security Administration said this notification is for beneficiaries whose existing records cannot confirm eligibility, and all red and blue card holders will not have to resubmit certification. Recipients of letters must respond by the deadlines listed in individual notifications. The official has not set any unified deadline for supplementary documents.
In addition to the eligibility confirmation letters that the Social Security Administration will begin sending out in November, the official Medicare website also publishes a sample of the pink alert notice that will be sent out in December. The document number is CMS 12238 PINK.
The warning letter read with a catchy headline: “Important: Your Medicare benefits may have ended. If you are still eligible, please confirm your immigration status.” The notice explains that due to a change in the law, the Social Security Administration needs to further verify the citizenship or immigration status of the beneficiary. If eligibility cannot be confirmed, Medicare coverage will be terminated on February 1, 2027.
Beneficiaries can log in or create a “My Social Security” personal account, visit SSA.gov/myaccount, select “Upload Documents” to upload supporting information, or they can bring documents to a local Social Security bureau office for processing. If you need assistance, you can call the Social Security Administration hotline at 1-844-507-7131; If you need Medicare information or assistance in other languages, you can call 1-800-633-4227.
The Social Security Administration said the new law adjusts Medicare status eligibility and does not affect eligibility and payment rules for Social Security retirement benefits or disability benefits. Even if the beneficiary loses the protection of the red and blue cards due to the new rules, it does not mean that the payment of Social Security benefits will be stopped at the same time.
At present, the Social Security Administration has not announced how many beneficiaries will receive eligibility confirmation notices this time, nor has it been said when the pink warning letters will be sent out in December.
Summary FAQ
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Because the new law signed by Trump in 2025 restricts the eligibility of noncitizens to participate in Medicare, the Social Security Administration is required to confirm the citizenship or eligible immigration status of some beneficiaries; Those who cannot prove it may face termination of coverage.
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This includes U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, eligible immigrants from Cuba and Haiti, and citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau who reside legally in the United States under COFA.
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Beneficiaries can log into their My Social Security account to upload documents, visit a Social Security bureau office in person, or call for assistance; The new rule only affects Medicare eligibility and does not affect Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
