Health insurance guide for immigrants
Health insurance guide for immigrants
What is health insurance?
Health insurance, or medical insurance, is a contract between you and the health insurance company. Covers some or all of your health care costs for a monthly payment. The monthly cost of insurance that you pay is called the premium.
Having health insurance can be referred to as being covered or underinsured. Health insurance can protect you from having to pay large medical bills. It is often better to pay a premium each month than to suddenly get a huge bill from the hospital.
Health insurance plans usually pay for the following services:
- Visits and medical examinations
- Laboratories, imaging, and immunization
- Mental health services
- Urgent care and emergency services
- Prescribed medication
Often, the insurance company does not pay all expenses. You may have to pay a deductible when you get care. The deductible is the amount you have to pay before your insurance starts paying for your health care costs.
You may also have to make co-payments for certain medical services and prescriptions. Each plan also specifies which doctors and health care facilities you can visit.
How do I get health insurance?
In the United States, you can get health insurance through:
- Government insurance programs (public health)
- your job with the help of your employer.
- Private health insurance that you buy yourself
Government health insurance programs
State health insurance programs provide assistance for people who cannot afford health insurance or who meet certain requirements. It is offered by the federal or state government. It can also be called a public health program.
Medicaid program
Medicaid is a public health program offered by your state. The program provides insurance for the elderly, the disabled, children, pregnant women, and low-income families. Some refugee families will enroll in Medicaid when they first arrive in the United States.
Children's Health Insurance Program
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides free or low-cost health coverage to children. This is for families who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. In some states, children's health insurance covers pregnant women.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program for Immigrants
Non-citizen immigrants are typically eligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program if they meet the income and residency rules in their state.
Eligible non-citizens include:
- Green Card Holders (Lawful Permanent Residents)
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- immigrants from Cuba and Haiti
- Those released on parole on humanitarian grounds
- They were beaten by non-citizens, spouses, children, or parents.
- Trafficking victims and their spouses, children, siblings, or parents
Many eligible non-citizens, including green card holders, must wait 5 years after receiving eligible immigrant status before they can apply for Medicaid. Refugees and asylum seekers do not have to wait 5 years. In 21 states, children and pregnant women do not have to wait 5 years to get CHI program coverage.
Immigrants who are not legally present in the United States or who are undocumented generally do not qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. Some states allow income-eligible people to apply for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program regardless of their immigration status. These include California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Washington.
Emergency Medicaid
Emergency Medicaid is available to immigrants who are not considered "eligible non-citizens" but meet all other state income and residency rules. Undocumented immigrants can get emergency medical assistance. Emergency Medicaid pays for emergency services, including hospitalization.
You do not have to give immigration status to your family or the people you live with. Learn more about state health coverage for immigrants.
Medicare program
Medicare is a federal public health program that provides health coverage primarily to people 65 years of age or older. Medicare is also available to younger people with disabilities and people with end-stage kidney disease or Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). US citizens and green card holders can apply for Medicare if they meet the eligibility requirements.
There are several types of Medicare, including:
Part A: Hospital insurance
Part B: medical insurance
Part D: Prescriptions
The Part A premium is free for people who have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. The total cost of Medicare varies depending on your income.
Women, infants, and children's programme
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program helps children under five, pregnant women, and nursing mothers from low-income families. The Women, Infants, and Children Program focuses on nutrition, food supplies, and improving access to healthcare and social care services. It is a health care program offered by your state.
Women and children with any immigration status, including undocumented immigrants, can apply for the Women, Infants, and Children Program.
Private health insurance
The majority of Americans have private health insurance coverage. More than half of the people who live in the United States have private health insurance through their job. People who do not have employment-based insurance can purchase health insurance directly from the insurance company.
Workplace health insurance
Jobs that provide health insurance pay a large portion of the costs of health insurance. The employee pays a portion of the health insurance costs. Some offer different health plans. Employees can also choose to include their spouses and children in their health insurance plans at an additional cost.
In some circumstances, when you leave your job, you can extend your coverage through a government plan called the Consolidated and Comprehensive Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The CBR is available to teams of 20 or more employees and only lasts for a short time. You may have to pay the entire premium yourself.
Health insurance market (ACA)
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a government program that allows you to purchase private health insurance. It was created by the Health Care Act (also known as Obamacare), which requires most US citizens and legal residents to have health insurance. It looks at how much money you make to determine how much you can pay for insurance. You can search for insurance online or in person.
Legally, current US citizens and immigrants can use the health insurance marketplace. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for health insurance through the health insurance marketplace.
Non-citizens must have:
- Humanitarian status, including Temporary Protected Status, Asylum Seekers, Convention Against Torture, and Trafficking Victims
- Nonimmigrant visas are valid.
- Legal status through other laws (temporary resident status, LIFE law, family unit members)
You can also purchase health insurance directly from health insurance companies in your state. You have the right to purchase health insurance, regardless of your immigration status.
College medical insurance plans
Students can purchase health insurance through their colleges. You may have to enroll in a certain number of credits to apply for health insurance through your school. Contact your health center to find out your options.
insurance alternatives
If you do not have health insurance, there are health centers and clinics that offer free or low-cost medical care.
Health care providers are not required to ask you about your immigration status, nor are they required to report it. You cannot be denied medical care because of your condition.
