Can undocumented immigrants get health insurance?
Can undocumented immigrants get health insurance in the U.S.? Unfortunately, undocumented immigrants in the United States have few coverage options. They do not qualify to apply for Affordable Care Act Marketplace health coverage, and are also ineligible to apply for Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In some states, women have the option of getting coverage for prenatal care regardless of immigration status, though.
Some undocumented immigrants may have access to employer-sponsored health insurance, but many do not. Likewise, some may get health coverage through a spouse or a dependent who has an employer-provided health plan and benefits.
Options for insurance
Undocumented immigrants may be able to purchase private insurance on the Marketplace in some places and in some instances. Being unable to access subsidies for this coverage keeps prices high, though. Some student health programs cover undocumented immigrants, and six states and Washington, D.C. use state-only funds to cover income-eligible children regardless of immigration status. In California, starting in January 2020, low-income undocumented young adults can be covered by Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California) until they turn 26.
Options for affordable health care
The majority of undocumented immigrants have limited options in terms of their health care coverage. Unfortunately, this also means limited health care access. Undocumented immigrants can access basic primary care through community health centers. They can also access family planning and basic reproductive health care through Title X clinics. Planned Parenthood health centers charge patients fees on a sliding-scale depending on income, regardless of immigration status or whether or not they have health insurance. And under federal law, all hospital emergency rooms must screen and stabilize patients and provide basic emergency care. This is true even for those who are uninsured, undocumented, or both.
As a CAC, can the undocumented immigrants apply for CT medicaid online or would they go thru their local Dept of social services?
What does CAC refer to?
Where can undocumented immigrants seek information about buying health insurance outside of the ACA Market Place Health Coverage? Would they have to contact, for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield to ask whether they allow undocumented immigrants to buy health insurance?
An undocumented immigrant typically will have to buy private insurance. They would be ineligible for ACA subsidies, but can usually buy private plans. You can find those off-exchange plans on the insurance company’s website.
I will start employment at a hospital as a nurse and will be eligible for health insurance. My questions is, will i be able to add my undocumented husband to my plan with his ITIN?
You’ll have to check with your employer. Undocumented people are unfortunately not able to purchase ACA insurance.
To be clear – An undocumented person can get health insurance by paying the full private fee directly to BCBS (with no subsidies of course)?
typically, yes
An undocumented person in CA can get medical insurance until age 26. If said person is undocumented, how does anyone know how old they are?
Undocumented people often have proof of age – a birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, etc.
Can elderly 65+ Expired Visa Immigrants receive any type of healthcare assistance?
You must be lawfully present in the US for 5 years + to be eligible for Medicare. You can give us a call at (872) 228-2549 to see your options.
Can an undocumented worker get temporary home health assitance . They have no insurance of course and has worked off the books for more than a decade. He had a stroke and his partner has to be able to go to work. The hospital told them that he will need some assistance unti he can get around again, potentially several weeks. His job will pay him some $$ weekly but is unable to pay his full salary as they are a small contractor. He might get $400 per week I think
Unfortunately, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for ACA insurance. You can check with the Medicaid office in your states – California, for example, allows some undocumented people to get Medicaid.