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Enrollment & timing

Refugees and Asylees With Medicare Will Lose Coverage by February 1, 2027 Under a 2025 Law

A 2025 federal law restricts Medicare eligibility to citizens and permanent residents, ending coverage for refugees, asylees, and people with Temporary Protected Status. Those currently enrolled will lose coverage no later than February 1, 2027, and Medicare Rights Center this week urged CMS to ease the transition.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamSeptember 18, 2026

A 2025 federal law restricts Medicare eligibility to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, Cuban-Haitian entrants, and residents of Compact of Free Association states. Under the change, refugees, people with granted asylum status, and individuals holding Temporary Protected Status no longer qualify for the program, even if they have worked and paid Medicare payroll taxes for years.

People in those categories who are currently enrolled in Medicare will have their coverage terminated no later than February 1, 2027, the first of the month following when their eligibility ends.

Refugees and asylees enrolled in Medicare will lose coverage by February 1, 2027. Here is who is affected and what to do now.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a proposed rule to carry out the enrollment changes. On September 17, 2026, the Medicare Rights Center submitted formal comments on that rule, urging CMS to provide clear advance notice to affected enrollees, clarify appeal and transition options, and take steps to limit disruption for people who contributed to the program through years of work. The organization described the abrupt cancellation of coverage for long-time contributors as a serious fairness concern.

Affected groups include people who entered the United States as refugees, those who received asylum, and individuals living and working in the country legally under Temporary Protected Status designations. Many have held Medicare coverage for several years.

People who believe they may be affected can call 1-800-MEDICARE or contact a free State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor for help understanding their coverage status and available options before the termination date.

In plain words

A 2025 law changed who can have Medicare. Only U.S. citizens, green card holders, and a few other groups can now get Medicare. Refugees, asylees, and people with Temporary Protected Status no longer qualify, even if they worked and paid taxes for many years. People in those groups who already have Medicare must stop coverage by February 1, 2027. A patient rights group called Medicare Rights Center asked the government this week to warn people losing coverage and tell them what options they have. If you think this may affect you, call 1-800-MEDICARE for help.

Understand the basics first

Source: Medicare Rights Center
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