What the National Verifier is and why you might need it
The National Verifier is a tool run by the federal government that confirms your household income and size for programs that help pay for health insurance. It exists because many information programs — like the Advanced Premium Tax Credit that lowers monthly insurance costs — need to verify that the information you report is accurate. Instead of each program checking your details separately, the National Verifier does it once, and programs can use that result.
You do not have to use the National Verifier. You can always report your information directly to Healthcare.gov or your state's health insurance marketplace, and they will verify it themselves. But if you use the National Verifier, the process can move faster because the verification step is already done.
The phone number to reach the National Verifier is 1-844-839-2075. It is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. You can also use the National Verifier online at HealthCare.gov/national-verifier without calling.
Key Takeaways
- The National Verifier phone number is 1-844-839-2075, available weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
- You can verify your income and household information online at HealthCare.gov/national-verifier instead of calling if you prefer.
- The National Verifier checks your details once so multiple information programs do not have to ask you separately.
- You are not required to use the National Verifier; you can report directly to your state marketplace or Healthcare.gov instead.
When to call versus using the online tool
The online National Verifier at HealthCare.gov/national-verifier works if you have a computer or smartphone and can navigate a web form. It asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, and household income information, then checks it against IRS records and other federal databases. Most people complete it in 10 to 15 minutes, and you get a result when ready or within a few days.
Call 1-844-839-2075 if you do not have reliable internet access, if you need help understanding what information to gather before you start, or if you already tried online and got stuck. The phone representative can walk you through what documents you need (usually a recent pay stub, tax return, or letter from your employer showing income) and answer questions about what counts as household income.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can reach the National Verifier through the relay service by calling 1-800-877-8339 (TTY). Spanish-language support is available at the main number; press the option for Spanish when prompted.
What information you need before you call
Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. The National Verifier will ask for these to pull up your records. You will also need to report your household income for the current year or the most recent year you have filed taxes. If you are self-employed or your income changes month to month, bring documentation showing what you actually earned — a recent pay stub, a tax return, or a letter from your employer.
Write down the names and dates of birth of everyone in your household, including children and any adults who live with you and share expenses. The National Verifier uses this to calculate whether you meet income limits for information. If someone in your household has already reported information to a marketplace or insurance program, have that confirmation number handy so the representative can link your verification to their records.
How the National Verifier shares results with insurance programs
Once the National Verifier confirms your information, it creates a record that Healthcare.gov and state marketplaces can see. When you start a health insurance process, the marketplace can check whether you have already been verified and use that result instead of asking you to prove everything again. This speeds up the process and reduces the chance of paperwork errors.
The National Verifier does not automatically send your information to insurance companies or employers. It only shares verified details with the health insurance marketplaces and programs that help pay for coverage. If you want to use your verification for a different program — such as Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) — ask the National Verifier representative whether your state's program can access the same verification.
What happens if the National Verifier cannot confirm your information
Sometimes the National Verifier cannot match your information to IRS or Social Security records. This happens if you recently moved, changed your name, filed taxes under a different name, or if there is a typo in government databases. The National Verifier will tell you what did not match and ask you to provide documents instead — usually a recent tax return, W-2, or pay stub.
You can submit documents online through HealthCare.gov or by mail. If you call, the representative can tell you exactly which documents to send and where to mail them. The verification process then takes longer — usually 5 to 10 business days — because someone has to review your paperwork by hand. But once it is approved, your verification is complete and can be used by any marketplace or program that accepts National Verifier results.
Using your verification when you shop for insurance
After the National Verifier confirms your information, you can start a health insurance process on Healthcare.gov or your state's marketplace. When you reach the income section, the marketplace will ask whether you want to use your National Verifier result. If you say yes, the income information you already reported will be filled in automatically, and you will not have to type it again.
Your verification is good for one year from the date it was completed. If your income or household changes during that year, tell the marketplace right away. You do not need to go back to the National Verifier; you can report the change directly to the insurance program. But if your verification expires and you need to renew your coverage, you may need to verify your information again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the National Verifier to get health insurance?
No. You can report your income and household information directly to Healthcare.gov or your state marketplace without using the National Verifier. The National Verifier is optional and exists to speed up verification if you choose to use it. Either way, you can shop for insurance and see what you may pay.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
The National Verifier requires a Social Security number to check your records against the IRS. If you do not have one, you can still report your income directly to a marketplace or insurance program, and they will verify it using documents you provide instead.
Can I use my National Verifier result for Medicaid or CHIP?
It depends on your state. Some states have connected their Medicaid and CHIP programs to the National Verifier, so your verification carries over. Others do not. Call the National Verifier at 1-844-839-2075 and ask whether your state accepts National Verifier results for Medicaid or CHIP.
How long does verification take?
If the National Verifier can match your information to IRS records, you get a result within a few days, sometimes the same day. If you have to submit documents, verification usually takes 5 to 10 business days after the marketplace receives them. Call 1-844-839-2075 if you want to check the status of a pending verification.
What if my income is zero or very low?
Report your actual income, even if it is zero. The National Verifier will verify that information just as it does for any other income level. Low or no income may make you may be able to access for Medicaid or other programs, so it is important to report it accurately.