HealthCare.gov asked for documents? Here's what to send

If you applied for a Marketplace plan and then got a notice asking for documents, you aren't in trouble. HealthCare.gov checks what you wrote on your application against government records. When the two don't match, it opens a data matching issue and asks you to prove the information yourself. It happens to a lot of people, especially if your income changes from year to year.

Why it happens

The most common reasons:

• Income. Your estimate for next year doesn't match what the IRS or other records show. This is normal for self-employed people, gig workers and anyone who changed jobs. Our self-employed guide explains how to estimate.
• Citizenship or immigration status. A name, date of birth or document number didn't match.
• Other coverage. Records suggest you might have job-based coverage or Medicaid.

How long you have

Your notice and your HealthCare.gov account both show the exact due date. You get 90 days to confirm your income and most other information, and 95 days for citizenship or immigration status. The Marketplace won't end your coverage or change your tax credit without warning you first, so there's no reason to panic, but don't let the date pass.

What to send for income

Send something that shows what you expect to earn this coming year. Good options:

1. Recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer.
2. Your most recent tax return, if your income is about the same.
3. For self-employment: a profit and loss statement, recent 1099 forms or bank statements.
4. If you have no income right now, a signed letter of explanation.

Upload them in your HealthCare.gov account: open your current application, select Application details, then Upload documents next to each item. Uploading is the fastest way. You can also mail photocopies (never originals) with the bar code page from your notice.

What happens if you miss the date

For income, the Marketplace changes your tax credit to match the records it has. That can mean a smaller credit or none, and a higher monthly bill. For citizenship or immigration, your coverage can end. Read how ACA tax credits work in Florida to see what is at stake.

Getting help

A licensed agent can look at the notice with you, tell you which document fits, and upload it with you. It costs nothing extra. If you're still shopping, you can compare Marketplace plans in Florida first and sort out documents after you enroll.