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Original Date Announced
October 3, 2025Popular Information reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) abruptly ended its contract with ICE for processing ICE detainees' health services claims. For more than two decades, ICE paid the VA to handle reimbursement claims for ICE detainees who needed medical care outside detention facilities, such as medications, dialysis, prenatal care, and cancer treatment. The termination of the contract left ICE with no system to pay for or provide prescribed medication or off-site treatment.
ICE has sought no-bid contracts to replace the services the VA had previously processed, stating that immediate awards were needed to restore claims processing and benefits services to avoid delays in critical or life-saving care and prevent provider network deterioration caused by unpaid claims. ICE signed two contracts to replace the VA's role on October 25; however, those systems are still not functioning. Popular Information states that it is unclear how or if ICE detainees are receiving medication or obtaining outside medical care in the interim.
Trump 2.0 [ID #2080]
2025.11.18 Reported: How the Trump administration sparked a health crisis for ICE detainees - Popular InformationEffective Date
October 3, 2025Subsequent Trump and Court Action
October 17, 20252025.10.17 ICE - Medical Claims Processing Firm Fixed Price Letter
ICE has awarded Acentra Health, LLC with a firm-fixed price letter contract to serve as a third-party administrator responsible for claims processing and payment services.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
October 22, 20252025.10.22 ICE - Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Firm Fixed Price Letter
ICE has awarded Ardent Group, LLC, with a firm-fixed price letter contract to provide pharmaceutical benefit manager services.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
November 12, 20252025.11.12 IHSC - New Claims Processing Notification
The ICE Health Service Corps website indicates that their new systems for processing service claims are not yet operational and cannot currently process claims. Providers are instructed to "hold all claim submissions while we work to bring the new systems online."
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
January 13, 20262026.01.13 IHSC - New Claims Processing Notification
The ICE Health Service Corps website published a notice that it will not begin processing claims until April 30, 2026. The notice instructs medical providers to "hold all claim submissions while IHSC works to bring the new system online in the interim."
View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Subject Matter: Humanitarian DetentionAssociated or Derivative Policies
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
2025.10.17 ICE - Medical Claims Processing
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
2025.10.22 ICE - Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Support
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
2025.11.12 IHSC - New Claims Processing Notification
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
IHSC - New Claims Processing Notification
To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com
Commentary
2026.01.26 Reported: ICE has stopped paying for detainee medical treatment - Popular Information
Popular Information reports that ICE has not paid any third-party providers for medical care for detainees since the VA abruptly ended its role in processing detainee medical claims on October 3, 2025. ICE recently instructed providers to hold submissions until at least April 30, 2026. Since no medical bills have been paid for months, some providers have refused to provide care to detainees. Internal data shows the VA processed $246.4 million in ICE medical claims in 2024 but only $157.2 million in 2025, despite an 82.5% increase in detainees, suggesting nearly $300 million in unpaid or denied care.
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