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Immigrants

Coverage for lawfully present immigrants

Lawfully present immigrants can get Marketplace coverage and may qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace plans.
The term “lawfully present” includes immigrants who have:
  • “Qualified non-citizen” immigration status (see details below).
  • Humanitarian statuses or circumstances (including Temporary Protected Status, Special Juvenile Status, asylum applicants, Convention Against Torture, victims of trafficking).
  • Valid non-immigrant visas.
  • Legal status conferred by other laws (temporary resident status, LIFE Act, Family Unity individuals). Get a full list of immigration statuses eligible for Marketplace coverage.

Lawfully present immigrants and Marketplace savings

If you’re a lawfully present immigrant, you can get Marketplace coverage. You may qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums and extra savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income.
The
is a measure of income used to decide your eligibility for certain programs and benefits. This could include savings on Marketplace health insurance, and Medicaid and CHIP coverage.
  • If your annual income is above 400% of the FPL: You may still qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly premium.
  • If your annual income is between 100% and 400% FPL: You may qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace health coverage.
  • If your annual income is at or below 150% FPL and you’re not eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): You may be able to enroll in or change Marketplace coverage through a
    . Check if you can get health coverage.
  • If your annual household income is below 100% FPL: If you’re not otherwise eligible for Medicaid, you’ll qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace coverage if you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Immigrants and Medicaid & CHIP

If you're a “qualified non-citizen,” you're generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if you meet state income and residency rules.
To get Medicaid and CHIP coverage, many qualified non-citizens (such as many Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as LPRs or green card holders) have a 5-year waiting period. This means they must wait 5 years after getting "qualified" immigration status before they can get Medicaid and CHIP coverage. There are exceptions. For example, refugees, asylees, or LPRs who used to be refugees or asylees don’t have to wait 5 years. Qualified non-citizens who haven’t yet had their status for 5 years generally qualify for Marketplace coverage, if otherwise eligible.
The term “qualified non-citizen” includes:
  • Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card Holder)
  • Asylees
  • Refugees
  • Cuban/Haitian entrants
  • Paroled into the U.S. for at least one year
  • Conditional entrant granted before 1980
  • Battered non-citizens, spouses, children, or parents
  • Victims of trafficking and his or her spouse, child, sibling, or parent or individuals with a pending application for a victim of trafficking visa
  • Granted withholding of deportation
  • Member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or American Indian born in Canada
  • Citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau who are living in one of the U.S. states or territories (referred to as Compact of Free Association or COFA migrants)

Children and pregnant immigrants

States have the option to remove the 5-year waiting period for Medicaid or CHIP if you’re pregnant or a child and are “lawfully residing” in the U.S. Check if your state removed the 5-year waiting period.

What does it mean to be “lawfully residing”?

For Medicaid or CHIP, you may be considered "lawfully residing" if you’re "lawfully present", reside in the state you’re applying for Medicaid or CHIP coverage, and are otherwise eligible for these programs in your state. 
Get a list of immigration statuses that are considered "lawfully present."

Getting emergency care

Medicaid provides payment for treatment of an emergency medical condition for people who meet all Medicaid eligibility criteria in the state (such as income and state residency) but don’t have an eligible immigration status.

Medicaid, CHIP, & "public charge" status

Applying for or getting Medicaid or CHIP benefits, or getting savings for Marketplace health coverage doesn't make you a "public charge." This means it won’t affect your chances of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen. 
There's one exception for people getting long-term care in an institution at government expense, like in a nursing facility. These people may face barriers getting a green card.
Get details about being a public charge from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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