Can You Get Health Insurance While Waiting For Green Card 2024? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Get Health Insurance While Waiting For Green Card 2024? ›

Yes, lawfully present immigrants are eligible for coverage through the Marketplace before receiving their green card if they have a qualified non-citizen or humanitarian immigration status or a valid non-immigrant visa. Or they may consider enrolling in health coverage through an employer-sponsored plan.

You can get temporary health insurance while waiting for your green card, like visitor insurance plans. As a visitor in the U.S., you are not eligible for Obamacare until obtaining your green card. Green card holders can purchase Obamacare plans during the Open Enrollment period or special enrollment periods.

Both lawfully present and not lawfully present individuals can apply through Covered California to see if they are eligible for a health plan through Covered California or Medi-Cal. There is no “waiting period” or “five-year bar.”

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.

Immigrants who are not lawfully present do not qualify for a health plan through Covered California; however, they may qualify for coverage through Medi-Cal if they are younger than age 26 or are 50 or older, or are pregnant or were recently pregnant.

Yes, lawfully present immigrants are eligible for coverage through the Marketplace before receiving their green card if they have a qualified non-citizen or humanitarian immigration status or a valid non-immigrant visa. Or they may consider enrolling in health coverage through an employer-sponsored plan.

You must be a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least five continuous years. This means holding a green card for at least five years before applying for Medicare benefits.

Notice: Undocumented immigrants can't get Marketplace health coverage. They may apply for coverage on behalf of documented individuals.

These include crimes of "moral turpitude," multiple crimes, and specified crimes such as drug trafficking, prostitution, commercialized vice, money laundering, severe violations of religious freedoms as an official working within a foreign government, and fraud.

You do not have to be a citizen or have satisfactory immigration status to qualify for Medi-Cal. You may qualify for Medi-Cal coverage of emergency and pregnancy-related services if you meet all of the eligibility requirements but do not have a satisfactory immigration status.

Why do immigrants lack health insurance? ›

Immigrants are disproportionately likely to be uninsured, which reduces their access to health care and increases their risk of incurring medical debt. This higher rate of uninsurance stems from systemic inequalities, including legal barriers to affordable coverage for noncitizens, especially undocumented immigrants.

Yes, you can get health insurance even if you are a non US citizen. If you are a Green Card holder or a resident or on a work visa you can get the domestic plans if you can show proof ( Social Security number).

Everyone Can Apply

Both lawfully present and not lawfully present individuals can apply through Covered California to see if they are eligible for a health plan through Covered California or Medi-Cal. There is no “waiting period” or “five-year bar.”

When a green card expires, it does not change the permanent resident's lawful status. The card expires, not the underlying legal status. Therefore, individuals with an expired green card are not removable (deportable) by immigration officials.

You should file Form I-90 to renew your Permanent Resident Card if you were issued a card valid for 10 years that has either expired or will expire within the next 6 months. Also, if you became a permanent resident before you turned 14 years old, you must replace your card when you become 14 years old.

Although USCIS is not requiring it, they strongly recommend filing your medical exam with your green card application because it can prevent a delay in the adjudication of your petition.

Visitor visa insurance(travel medical insurance for B2 visitors) provides medical benefits such as hospitalization, doctors visits, prescription drugs, medical evacuation and repatriation as well as for diagnostic testing.

Yes, non-immigrant status can get insurance from private companies. These plans may not provide coverage like domestic plans but will surely keep you financially safe during your trip to the US.