How do I resolve a data matching issue?

If you provide information on your Marketplace application that doesn’t match our records, this is called a data matching issue or "inconsistency." You’ll need to submit documents to confirm your information.

See below for a list of documents that you can submit to resolve the different types of data matching issues. You may need to send more than one document to resolve an issue, so be sure to read the lists carefully.

Click your data matching issue type to see a list of documents you can submit to confirm:

Documents to confirm your U.S. citizenship

  • U.S. passport
  • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570)
  • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561)
  • State-issued enhanced driver's license (available in Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Washington)

  • Document from federally recognized Indian tribe that includes your name and the name of the federally recognized Indian tribe that issued the document, and shows your membership, enrollment, or affiliation with the tribe. Documents you can provide include:

    • A tribal enrollment card
    • A Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
    • A tribal census document
    • Documents on tribal letterhead signed by a tribal official

If you don’t have any of the documents above, you can submit 2 documents — one from each list below.

You can submit one of these documents:

  • U.S. public birth certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, CRBA)
  • Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350)
  • Certification of Birth Abroad (FS-545)
  • U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-197 or the prior version I-179)
  • Northern Mariana Card (I-873)
  • Final adoption decree showing the person’s name and U.S. place of birth
  • U.S. Civil Service Employment Record showing employment before June 1, 1976
  • Military record showing a U.S. place of birth
  • U.S. medical record from a clinic, hospital, physician, midwife, or institution showing a U.S. place of birth
  • U.S. life, health, or other insurance record showing U.S. place of birth
  • Religious record showing U.S. place of birth recorded in the U.S.
  • School record showing the child’s name and U.S. place of birth
  • Federal or state census record showing U.S. citizenship or U.S. place of birth
  • Documentation of a foreign-born adopted child who received automatic U.S. citizenship (IR3 or IH3)

AND one of these documents (that has a photograph or other information, like your name, age, race, height, weight, eye color, or address):

  • Driver's license issued by a state or territory or ID card issued by the federal, state, or local government
  • School identification card
  • U.S. military card or draft record or military dependent’s identification card
  • U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card
  • Voter Registration Card
  • A clinic, doctor, hospital, or school record, including preschool or day care records (for children under 19 years old)
  • 2 documents containing consistent information that proves your identity, like employer IDs, high school and college diplomas, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, property deeds, or titles

Documents to confirm your immigration status

  • Permanent Resident Card, "Green Card" (I-551)
  • Reentry Permit (I-327)
  • Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
  • Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (with temporary I-551 language)
  • Temporary I-551 Stamp (on Passport or I-94/I-94A)
  • Foreign passport
  • Arrival/Departure Record (I-94/I-94A)
  • Arrival/Departure Record in foreign passport (I-94)
  • Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20)
  • Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (DS-2019)
  • Notice of Action (I-797)
  • Document indicating a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or American Indian born in Canada
  • Certification from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
  • Document indicating withholding of removal (or withholding of deportation)
  • Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligibility letter (if under 18)
  • Resident of American Samoa Card

Documents to confirm your household income

You told us your yearly household income on your application. The documents you submit to the Marketplace to confirm your income must show a yearly income amount that closely matches the yearly income amount you entered on your application. For example, if you have a different job than you had last year, send the Marketplace recent pay stubs from your new job, instead of last year's tax return or W2. See "Guide to Confirming Income Information" (PDF, 1.2 MB) for more information on how to resolve income-related data matching issues.

The Guide includes worksheets that can help you choose the right document to submit. If you select "Other" from the drop-down menu, you can include a completed worksheet when you submit documents. We may be able to confirm your income and process your application faster.

Here are the documents you can submit to confirm your yearly income:

  • 1040 federal or state tax return. Note: It must contain first and last name, income amount, and tax year. Starting with 2018 tax returns, if you file Schedule 1, you must submit it with your 1040. Schedule 1 shows additional income and adjustments, like capital gains, unemployment compensation, student loan interest, or self-employment tax.
  • Wages and tax statement (W-2 and/ or 1099, including 1099 MISC, 1099G, 1099R, 1099SSA, 1099DIV, 1099SS, 1099INT). Note: It must contain your first and last name, income amount, year, and employer name (if applicable).
  • Pay stub. Note: It must contain your first and last name, income amount, pay period or frequency of pay with the date of payment. If a pay stub includes overtime, please indicate average overtime amount per paycheck.
  • Self-employment ledger documentation (can be a Schedule C, the most recent quarterly or year-to-date profit and loss statement, or a self-employment ledger). Note: It must contain your first and last name, company name, and income amount. If you’re submitting a self-employment ledger, include the dates covered by the ledger, and the net income from profit/loss.
  • Social Security Administration Statements (Social Security Benefits Letter). Note: It must contain first and last name, benefit amount, and frequency of pay.
  • Unemployment Benefits Letter. Note: It must contain your first and last name, source/agency, benefits amount, and duration (start and end date, if applicable).

Note: Has your household income changed since you submitted your application? If so, it’s important to report this change to the Marketplace right away. Learn how to report a life change.

Documents to confirm self-employment income

  • 1040 SE with Schedule C, F, or SE (for self-employment income)
  • 1065 Schedule K1 with Schedule E
  • Tax return
  • Bookkeeping records
  • Receipts for all allowable expenses
  • Signed time sheets and receipt of payroll, if you have employees
  • Most recent quarterly or year-to-date profit and loss statement

Documents to confirm unearned income

  • Annuity statement
  • Statement of pension distribution from any government or private source
  • Worker’s compensation letter
  • Prizes, settlements, and awards, including court-ordered awards letter
  • Proof of gifts and contributions
  • Proof of inheritances in cash or property
  • Proof of strike pay and other benefits from unions
  • Sales receipts or other proof of money received from the sale, exchange, or replacement of things you own
  • Interests and dividends income statement
  • Loan statement showing loan proceeds
  • Royalty income statement or 1099-MISC
  • Proof of bonus/incentive payments
  • Proof of severance pay
  • Pay stub indicating sick pay
  • Letter, deposit, or other proof of deferred compensation payments
  • Pay stub indicating substitute/assistant pay
  • Pay stub indicating vacation pay
  • Proof of residuals
  • Letter, deposit, or other proof of travel/business reimbursement pay

Documents to confirm you’re not incarcerated

  • Official release papers from the institution or Department of Corrections
  • Parole papers
  • Unexpired state ID, driver’s license, work ID, or passport
  • Pay stubs
  • Federal, state, or local benefit letter
  • Clinic, doctor, or hospital records for services provided
  • Medical claim explanation of benefits provided
  • School record/schedule showing enrollment (like for college students)
  • Bank or credit card statement showing transaction history (showing only your name, but not a joint account)
  • Military records
  • Cell phone bill (showing only your name)
  • Lease (must be an active lease where you’re currently residing)
  • Signed notarized statement from the individual with alleged false incarceration inconsistency showing that you’re living in the community and includes your name, date of birth, and address
  • Written statement from someone within the community which shows your name, date of birth, address, phone number, your relationship with the person with alleged false incarceration inconsistency (if it’s not you), and that you’re present and participating within the community
  • Rent receipts (showing only your name)

What if I don’t have any of those documents?

You can submit a letter providing the reason you can’t provide the requested documents. The Marketplace will take your letter into consideration. You can use this template. To submit this letter, select “Other” from the drop-down menu when you’re on the upload screen in the application.

Documents to confirm American Indian or Alaska Native status

  • Tribal Enrollment/Membership card from a federally recognized tribe
  • Document issued by Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) recognizing you as American Indian/Alaska Native
  • Authentic document from a federally recognized tribe declaring your membership
  • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
  • Certificate of Indian status card
  • I-872 American Indian Card (Texas and Oklahoma Kickapoo American and Mexican members)
  • Document issued by Indian Health Service (IHS) showing that you were/are eligible for IHS services as an American Indian/Alaska Native
  • U.S. American Indian/Alaska Native tribal enrollment or shareholder documentation
  • Letter from the Marketplace granting a tribal exemption based on tribal membership or Alaska Native shareholder status

Documents to confirm you don’t have minimal essential job-based coverage

Submit one of the documents below if you need to confirm that your job-based coverage isn’t qualifying health coverage.

  • Completed Employer Coverage Tool (PDF) and a cover letter signed by the employer

  • Letter or other documentation from an employer or other documentation with this information:

    • Statement that the employer doesn’t currently offer you (or your family member) coverage
    • Statement that the employer doesn’t provide coverage that isn’t qualifying health coverage
    • Statement showing the cost of your share of the premium for the lowest-cost self-only plan that meets the minimum value standard (factoring in wellness incentives), if offered

  • Health insurance letter that contains confirmation of health coverage and expiration dates for coverage received outside of the Marketplace

Documents to confirm you don’t have qualifying health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Submit one of the documents below if you need to confirm that you don’t have coverage through Medicaid or CHIP.

Note: Some Medicaid and CHIP programs are known by names specific to that state. Find the name of Medicaid & CHIP programs in your state.

  • Letter or statement from a Medicaid or CHIP agency that shows that you or your family members aren’t enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid or CHIP
  • Letter or statement from a Medicaid agency showing that you or a family member are enrolled in a Medicaid program that’s not considered qualifying health coverage

  • You can find more detailed information about Medicaid programs that don’t provide qualifying coverage. If you send document(s) verifying enrollment in one of these programs, you may be able to continue your financial help for your Marketplace coverage:

    • Medicaid coverage only for pregnancy-related services
    • Medicaid coverage only for family planning services
    • Medicaid coverage only for tuberculosis coverage
    • Medicaid coverage only for emergency treatment
    • Medicaid Demonstration Projects that cover a limited range of benefits
    • Medicaid coverage for “medically needy” individuals whose income is too high for traditional Medicaid and cover a limited range of benefits. These programs are sometimes known as “Share of Cost” or “Spend Down” programs.

  • A letter describing your recent health coverage including:

    • The name of the Medicaid/CHIP program you were enrolled in and when your coverage ended, or
    • That you were never enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP coverage, or
    • The name of the Medicaid/CHIP program with limited benefits that you’re enrolled in that would still allow you to enroll in the Marketplace with help paying for coverage

Documents to confirm you don’t have qualifying health coverage through TRICARE

Submit one of the documents below if you need to confirm that you don’t have coverage through TRICARE.

  • Letter or statement from TRICARE that shows the expiration or un-enrollment date of previous health coverage
  • Letter or statement from TRICARE that confirms ineligibility for health coverage
  • Letter, statement, or other document indicating a life change event (like divorce) that would make you or a family member ineligible for TRICARE coverage

  • Letter or statement from TRICARE or other government agency showing that you or a family member are enrolled in a TRICARE program that’s not considered qualifying health coverage. If you send document(s) verifying enrollment in one of these programs, you may be able to continue your Marketplace coverage with help paying for coverage:

    • TRICARE Plus
    • Direct care
    • Line-of-duty care
    • Transitional care for service-related conditions
    • TRICARE coverage limited to space-available care in a facility of the uniformed services for individuals excluded from TRICARE coverage for care from private sector providers.

What if I don’t have any of those documents?

You can submit a letter describing when your enrollment in TRICARE coverage ended or that you were never enrolled in TRICARE. The Marketplace will take your letter into consideration. You can use this template. To submit this letter, select “Other” from the drop-down menu when you’re on the upload screen in the application.

Documents to confirm you don’t have qualifying health coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Submit this document if you need to confirm that you don’t have coverage through the VA:

  • Letter from the VA that shows the expiration date of previous health coverage

If you don’t have this document, you can submit a letter describing that you’re not enrolled in health coverage through the VA. The Marketplace will take your letter into consideration. You can use this template. To submit this letter, select “Other” from the drop-down menu when you’re on the upload screen in the application.

Documents to confirm you don’t have qualifying health coverage through Medicare

Submit this document if you need to confirm that you don’t have coverage through Medicare:

  • Letter or statement from Medicare or the Social Security Administration stating that you or your family members are:
    • Not eligible for or enrolled in premium-free Medicare Part A.
    • Eligible for (but not enrolled in) Part A coverage that requires premium payments. Important: A Social Security document that shows you don’t pay a premium for “Medical Insurance” refers to Part B. It’s not acceptable for verifying eligibility for Part A.
    • No longer eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, and your coverage has ended or will end in the next 90 days.

If you don’t have this document, you can submit a letter describing why you're not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A. The Marketplace will take your letter into consideration. You can use this template. To submit this letter, select “Other” from the drop-down menu when you’re on the upload screen in the application.

Documents to confirm you don’t have qualifying health coverage through the Peace Corps

Submit this document if you need to confirm that you don’t have coverage through the Peace Corps:

  • Letter from the Peace Corps with the expiration date for any previous health coverage or a letter showing that you never had this type of coverage

If you don’t have this document, you can submit a letter describing that you’re no longer eligible for or enrolled in health coverage through the Peace Corps, or that you were never eligible for or enrolled in health coverage through the Peace Corps. The Marketplace will take your letter into consideration. You can use this template. To submit this letter, select “Other” from the drop-down menu when you’re on the upload screen in the application.

Documents to confirm Social Security Number (SSN)

Documents must include your first name, last name, and SSN.

  • Social Security card
  • 1040 Tax Return (federal or state versions acceptable)
  • W2 and/or 1099s (includes 1099 MISC, 1099G, 1099R, 1099SSA, 1099DIV, 1099S, 1099INT)
  • W4 Withholding Allowance Certificate (federal or state versions acceptable)
  • 1095 (includes 1095A, 1095B, 1095C)
  • Pay stub documentation
  • Social Security Administration documentation (includes 4029)
  • Military record
  • U.S. Military ID card
  • Military dependent’s ID card
  • Unemployment Benefits (Unemployment Benefits Letter)
  • Court Order Granting a Name Change, that must have your original first and last name, new first and last name, and SSN
  • Divorce decree

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