Quick answer
Yes, many non-citizens can get health insurance, but what’s available depends on your immigration status. Lawfully present immigrants can buy marketplace plans, and green card holders can usually get premium tax credits. Starting in 2027, tax credits are limited to green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants. Anyone can get job-based coverage their employer offers, and emergency rooms must treat everyone regardless of status.
Key takeaways
- Lawfully present immigrants can buy marketplace plans; undocumented immigrants can’t.
- From 2027, marketplace tax credits are limited to green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants.
- Most green card holders wait five years for Medicaid, though many states cover children and pregnant people sooner.
- Starting October 1, 2026, Medicaid and CHIP are limited mainly to green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants.
- DACA recipients can no longer use the marketplace.
On this page
What’s available by status
| Status | Marketplace plan | Tax credit | Medicaid/CHIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green card holder (LPR) | Yes | Yes, if income qualifies | Usually after 5 years; sooner for kids and pregnant people in many states |
| Cuban/Haitian entrant or COFA migrant | Yes | Yes | Yes, if income qualifies |
| Refugee, asylee or other lawfully present status | Yes | Through 2026 only (not below the poverty level) | Limited starting October 1, 2026 |
| Work or student visa holder | Yes | Through 2026 only (not below the poverty level) | Generally no |
| DACA recipient | No | No | Generally no (some state programs) |
| Undocumented | No | No | Emergency Medicaid only |
Job-based coverage
If your employer offers health insurance, you can generally enroll like any other employee, and your share is usually taken out of your pay before taxes. See does health insurance from work come out of my paycheck.
Marketplace plans
Lawfully present immigrants can buy marketplace plans during open enrollment or after a qualifying life event, and choose from the same bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans as citizens. Tax credits are changing:
- 2026: Lawfully present immigrants with income below the poverty level can’t get tax credits.
- 2027: Tax credits are available only to green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants. Others can still buy plans at full price.
Undocumented family members can apply for coverage for eligible relatives, like U.S.-citizen children, without giving information about their own status. Some people buy plans directly from insurers; see how to buy health insurance outside the ACA exchanges.
Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare
- Medicaid and CHIP: Most green card holders must wait five years. As of April 2026, 38 states covered lawfully residing children and 32 covered pregnant people without that wait. Starting October 1, 2026, federal eligibility narrows to green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, COFA migrants, and lawfully residing children and pregnant people in states that cover them.
- Medicare: Generally available to citizens and green card holders who meet the work and residency rules, and the 2025 law narrows eligibility further. See who is eligible for Medicare.
Care regardless of status
- Hospital emergency rooms must screen and stabilize anyone with an emergency; see will health insurance cover emergency room visits.
- Community health centers serve patients regardless of immigration status, with sliding-scale fees.
- Some states and cities fund coverage for people who don’t qualify for federal programs: 15 states and DC cover children regardless of status.
Eligible for a marketplace plan? Compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Can green card holders get Obamacare?
Yes. Green card holders can buy marketplace plans and get premium tax credits if their income qualifies.
Can I get a marketplace plan on a work visa?
Yes. You can buy a plan, and through 2026 you may get a tax credit if your income is at least the poverty level. Starting in 2027, work visa holders pay full price.
Can undocumented immigrants get health insurance?
Not through the marketplace, Medicaid or Medicare, except emergency Medicaid. They may be able to get job-based coverage, state-funded programs where available, or care at community health centers.
Sources
This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Immigration-related rules are changing; talk with an immigration attorney or a qualified assister about your situation. Last reviewed September 2026.