Can I Get Health Insurance if I’m Not a US Citizen?

If you’re an immigrant who is living in the United States, you may assume that you aren’t eligible for health insurance. The good news is that you can get health care coverage if you are not a US citizen. Coverage options are available through the Health Insurance Marketplace; however, there are certain eligibility requirements. Read on to find out what rules apply and whether or not you can purchase health insurance coverage.

Health Insurance Eligibility Requirements for Non-US Citizens

If any of the following immigration statuses apply to you, you can purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace:

• You are a documented (legal) permanent resident of the United States; you hold an a Green Card/LPR
• You’re a refugee
• You have been granted an Asylee status
• You have been paroled in the United States
• You are from Cuba or Haiti
• You’re a Conditional Entrant, and were granted the statues prior to 1980
• You are a victim of domestic abuse; a battered spouse, parent, or child
• You’re a victim of trafficking; your family members will also qualify, including your spouse, children, parents, and siblings
• You’ve been granted Withholding of Deportation or Withholding of Removal, either under Convention against Torture (CAT) or under the immigration laws
• You have a Non-Immigrant Statues, such as an H1, H-2A, or H-2B worker visa, a student visa, a T-visa, or a U-visa; or, you are a citizen of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau
• You have a Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• You’ve been granted a Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)
• You’ve been granted a Deferred Action Status, with the exception of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• You are a lawful temporary resident
• You’re a member of an Indian tribe that is recognized by the federal government, or you are an American Indian who was born in Canada
• You are a resident of American Samoa

If you are an applicant for any of the following statues, you can also purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace:

• Special immigrant juvenile status
• Temporary protected status with employment authorization
• Victim of trafficking visa
• Asylum; however, you will only be eligible to purchase coverage if you have been granted authorization for employment or you are younger than 14 years of age and your application status has been pending for a minimum of 180 days
• Adjustment to LPR status
• Withholding deportation under Convention against Torture (ACT) or under immigration laws
• Withholding of removal under Convention against Torture (ACT) or under immigration laws

Additionally, if you are an immigrant with employment authorization an one of the following statues, you are also eligible to purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace:

• A registry applicant
• An order of supervision
• Legalization under the LIFE Act
• Applicant for legalization under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
• Applicant of cancellation of removal or suspension of deportation

If any of the above statues do not apply to you, there are still some health care coverage options available to you. For example, if you aren’t documented and do not fall into any of the above-mentioned categories, you can purchase coverage; however, you will not be able to purchase subsidized healthcare plans.

If are an immigrant and you decide not to purchase health insurance, there are options available to you for more affordable health care. Under federal law, you can receive emergency medical care. Additionally, you can seek non-emergency health care services at health centers in your local area. These centers do not inquire about your citizenship or immigration status.

Choosing the Best Option for Your Needs

Health care is expensive in the United States, and the price continues to rise. If you are an immigrant, purchasing health insurance can help to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of medical care. If you are not a citizen of the US and any of the above-mentioned statues apply to you, you can purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. However, if you are unsure of what options are available to you, or which plan will best meet your needs, speak to a reputable agent that specializes in health insurance.

An insurance agent will be able to help you navigate through the legal jargon so that you can select the best coverage option for your specific needs. Nothing is as important as your health. Just because you are an immigrant in the United States doesn’t mean you should have to let your health suffer. There are various options for health insurance coverage for individuals who do not have citizenship. If you are eligible for coverage, investing in a plan will help to minimize the cost of coverage so that you can obtain the medical care that you need.