WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Some West Virginians will receive $500 refund checks from the federal government beginning next month as part of a newly announced refund involving Affordable Care Act health insurance plans.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that nearly 1 million Americans across 30 states will receive $500 each. West Virginia is among the states included in the program.
According to the White House, the refunds involve user fees associated with health insurance plans sold through the federal marketplace. Insurance companies pay the federal government a fee to offer plans through the marketplace, and those costs are incorporated into premiums paid by consumers.
The White House says the government collected more through those fees than was necessary to operate the federal insurance exchange and is returning some of that money to consumers who paid the full cost of their premiums without federal premium assistance.
The $500 payments will primarily go to people earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level who did not qualify for subsidies, along with some people earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level who did not receive subsidies, according to Reuters.
The administration says eligible recipients have already been identified.
West Virginia is one of 30 states included because it uses the federal HealthCare.gov exchange for its Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Checks are expected to begin being mailed to eligible West Virginians and other recipients in October 2026.
The $500 refunds are separate from the $5,000 payment President Trump proposed Wednesday. That proposal would be contingent on Republicans retaining control of Congress following the November midterm elections, while the $500 Obamacare refunds have already been announced for eligible consumers.
