Pending I-485 · 2027 rules
Green card approved? Get your subsidy back the same month.
From 2027, a pending green card no longer qualifies for the ACA premium tax credit. The approval does. Most families find out months later that they could have been saving hundreds a month. We make sure you don't.
- Sign up nowTell us roughly when you expect approval. Optional ZIP, ages and income let us pre-compute your subsidy.
- One check-in a monthA short email asking whether the I-485 has been approved. Ignore it until the answer is yes.
- Approved? Click the linkWe send the exact Marketplace steps and documents, plus your updated subsidy estimate and plan comparison for the rest of the year.
What to do the day you're approved
- Log in to HealthCare.gov or your state exchange. Choose “Report a life change” and update your immigration status to lawful permanent resident.
- Enter your A-number and card details. The I-797 approval notice works before the physical card arrives.
- Update income and household. Your subsidy is recalculated for the remaining months of the year.
- Re-shop if it helps. A status change opens a 60-day special enrollment period. With a subsidy, a different plan may now be cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the ACA subsidy while my green card is pending?
For 2026 coverage, yes, if you are lawfully present and your income is at least 100% of the poverty line. Starting January 1, 2027, a pending I-485 no longer counts. You can keep your Marketplace plan at full price until the approval.
When does the subsidy restart after approval?
Once you are a lawful permanent resident you are an eligible alien. Report the change to HealthCare.gov or your state exchange right away. Eligibility is redetermined and the advance credit can start the following month. Months you wait are months you pay full price.
What do I need to report the change?
Your Alien Registration Number (A-number) and, when it arrives, the card number and expiration date from the I-551. The approval notice (I-797) is often enough to start. Then update your income and household if anything changed.
Does PlanVoyager check my USCIS case status?
No. We never contact USCIS or store your case data beyond the label you give us. We email you once a month to ask whether you have been approved, and the day you say yes we send the step-by-step guide to restart the subsidy.