How Do I Get Free Medical Help for Immigrants – Healthcare costs in the United States of America are quite expensive. Nearly 46% of undocumented immigrants in America who are not senior citizens are uninsured in comparison to 9% of U.S. citizens who are not elderly. Lack of financial resources may make access to adequate healthcare overwhelming and confusing. There is no doubt that many immigrants in America face barriers to getting good-quality medical facilities and treatment.
Undocumented immigrants cannot receive healthcare assistance through Medicaid or Medicare. They also cannot enroll in insurance programs through the ACA marketplace. If you are wondering how to get free medical help for immigrants in the USA, then you are at the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with details about how to find the right healthcare assistance for immigrants.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 46% of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are uninsured, highlighting a significant gap in healthcare coverage compared to the native population.
- The average healthcare spending in the U.S. is notably high, with annual expenses reaching $4.5 trillion in 2022, averaging $13,493 per capita.
- Lawfully present immigrants are eligible for programs like Medicaid and CHIP after a five-year waiting period, but they can receive immediate tax credits through ACA marketplace without any wait.
- Some states provide emergency Medicaid to undocumented immigrants for acute medical situations, despite federal restrictions on standard Medicaid access.
- Various programs and organizations offer medical help, such as the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, which provide services regardless of immigration status.
How Much Does the U.S. Citizens Pay For Healthcare?
Healthcare costs in the US are increasing with each passing day. In 2022 healthcare spending throughout the country reached $4.5 trillion or $13,493 per capita. The cost is rising due to an increase in the aging population and high cost of healthcare services. The introduction of innovative new healthcare technology in America is leading to better and more expensive production procedures.
Our next guide will highlight What Happens When Medicare Stops Paying for Nursing Home Care?
Can Immigrants Get Free Healthcare in the US?
According to the U.S. government website, medical bills can rise up to $7500. The probable cause for those who are hospitalized for three days may rise to more than $30,000.
Lawfully present immigrants can qualify for free healthcare through federal and state health insurance programs like Medicaid and CHIP but are subjected to eligibility criteria.
A lot of immigrants have to make a 5 year waiting period prior getting approved for government healthcare assistance programs. However they can purchase healthcare coverage through the ACA marketplace and receive tax credits without any waiting period. On the other hand, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in Medicaid, CHIP or buy coverage through ACA Marketplaces.
Do you want to know whether Fertility Treatments Are Covered by Medicare or not? Our next blog will cover all insights for you.
Government ProgramsOffer Free Medical Help For Immigrants Near Me
Here is the list of avenues through which you can find medical help for immigrants.
Medicare
If you’re looking for government health insurance for immigrant parents over 65, then you can apply for the Medicare program. Green card holders who are more than 65 in America are eligible for Medicare assistance if they meet the eligibility requirements of the program. You can buy domestic health insurance plans by visiting healthcare.gov.
The federally funded insurance program has two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). It is important to note that Medicare does not cover 100% of all costs. While choosing health insurance for parents over 65, you need to consider things like:
- What the policy covers
- The policy’s cost
- The reputation of the insurance company
- Any value-added services
- How does the claim process work?
- Any additional coverage benefits
- What the policy excludes?
You can take a look at our next guide to know if Medicare Covers Home Health Care for Dementia.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a federal and state-funded program that offers health coverage to low-income households. Lawfully present immigrants can obtain assistance through Medicaid. The official website will provide a list of services that are available across different states. The National Conference of State Legislatures will provide an overview of statewide regulations about immigrant’s Medicaid eligibility. Our next blog will help you cover all details about whether Medicaid Pays for 24-Hour Home Care or not.
Emergency Medicaid for Undocumented Immigrants
It is important to note that you cannot get Original Medicaid for undocumented immigrants. However, a few states have taken action to offer healthcare coverage to undocumented immigrants and pregnant people through Emergency Medicaid under emergency conditions.
As a part of your application, you will be asked to provide certain documents like valid identification, bank statements, a utility bill to prove your residency, and pay stubs.
Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants, helps to cover medical expenses during emergency labor and delivery or when they’re experiencing acute symptoms that may impact the functioning of a body part or organ that affects their health or life.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children’s Health Insurance Program offers health coverage to qualified children, including immigrants up to 19 years of age. To better understand CHIP across the United States for legal immigrants, you can head to the insurekidsnow.gov website.
The program has different names in different states. For instance, the CHIP program in Florida is known as Florida KidCare. Total 22 U.S. states, including DC, have extended coverage to pregnant women irrespective of immigration status through CHIP From Consumption to the End Of Pregnancy (FCEP) Option.
Marketplace Health Plans
The Health Insurance Marketplace, or exchange, is a platform where people can look for and purchase private health insurance. You can head to the HealthCare.gov website to understand and assess marketplace plans if you are a legal immigrant.
Immigrants with lawful status can purchase health insurance through this marketplace, and if you qualify, you can apply during the annual open enrollment period or special enrollment period. Lawfully present immigrants can buy coverage through the ACA Marketplace and get tax credit without waiting period.
Employer Sponsored Plans
A lot of employers provide health insurance as a benefit to their employees. The plans may vary in terms of cost and coverage. The US Department of Labor provides tons of resources to understand employer-sponsored health benefits.
Even though these health plans offer comprehensive coverage, however, immigrants can face a few challenges, such as documentation requirements and waiting periods.
Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults
You can get medical assistance for undocumented immigrants through Health Benefits For Immigrant Adults. This is covered under the Fee For Service administered by HFS.
The state of Illinois is committed to provide health coverage for adults (40- 64 years) irrespective of their immigration status. HFS has developed this initiative to bring positive outcomes for residents and foster well-being among the community.
Most services that you get through this program are free, such as primary care visits or prescription drugs, transportation services, dental and vision services, vaccinations at the pharmacy or doctor’s office, etc. You need to have income at or below $18,754 for a single person and a resident of Illinois to qualify.
Our next blog will cover whether Fertility Treatments Are Covered by Medicare or not.
Organizations And Other Resources That Offer Free Medical Help For Immigrants
1. National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics is a volunteer and workforce organization that has provided free medical care to more than 5500 refugees, immigrants, and US-born people without any health insurance.
There are 1200+ free clinics nationwide as per the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Most clinics use translation services to communicate with patients who speak no or little English.
2. The National Immigration Law Center
The National Immigration Law Center is a valuable resource for those who want to understand their rights as immigrants and how to access services throughout the United States of America.
3. Washington Health Plan Finder
Everyone who is living in Washington State has the opportunity to purchase dental and health insurance through the Washington Health Plan Finder, irrespective of their immigration status.
Apple Health Expansion is a new initiative designed to offer full-scope healthcare coverage to those who are of age between 19 and above with few immigration statuses. You can be eligible if you do not qualify for Apple Health because of your immigration status.
4. FQHC
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are community health centers that are managed and funded by the government. These centers offer medical assistance to low-income regions and underserved communities irrespective of their immigration status. The cost of medical assistance is based on an individual’s ability to pay.
These centers provide preventive and primary health care and can also help you with mental, dental, specialty, substance abuse, and hospital services. Depending on the availability of funds and policies of a few centers, they also provide assistance to undocumented immigrants.
5. Emergency Rooms
Immigrants are more likely to be uninsured unlike US residents. This creates a barrier to affordable healthcare. A lot of healthcare facilities provide medical assistance on a sliding-scale basis. If you’re looking for medical care for undocumented immigrants near me, then you can visit a nearby urgent care clinic or emergency room.
You need not reveal your immigration status to get health care. Irrespective of your status, immigrants have the right to get emergency medical treatment from emergency rooms or urgent care clinics.
6. Safety Net Hospitals
Safety net hospitals provide medical assistance and care to those who are not insured, including undocumented immigrants and low-income households, irrespective of their financial and insurance status.
There is no single definition for comprehensive health centers, but they are known as public hospitals, essential hospitals or county hospitals. You can visit the state-by-state list to find a local county hospital, public hospital, or safety net hospital in your area of residence.
7. Free Medical and Dental School Clinics
There are many medical and dental schools in America that offer free or low-cost healthcare through dental and medical students who are part of the university’s faculty. For instance, Georgetown University School of Medicine offers healthcare assistance to undocumented immigrants and poor patients.
Do you want to know whether Medicaid covers Blood Pressure Monitors or not? Read our next blog now.
States That Have Extended Health Coverage Programs For Immigrants
There were around 21.2 million people who were residing in America as non citizen immigrants as of 2022. This accounts for approximately 7% of the USA’s overall population. 6 in 10 of these noncitizens are lawfully present immigrants whereas the rest 4 are undocumented immigrants.
A growing number of states throughout the country are offering health insurance programs to immigrants, including those who are living in the country without legal authorization. Every state mandates hospitals to provide emergency services to uninsured people in emergency rooms through the Emergency Medicaid Program.
12 US states, as of June 2024 including the District of Columbia offer state-sponsored health insurance for children irrespective of their immigration status. These states are: CA, CT, IL, ME, MA, NJ, WA, DC, UT, CO, VM, NY and OR.
Around six U.S. states, as of June 2024 offer expanded healthcare coverage to residents, irrespective of immigration status like CA, WA, DC, CO, NY and OR.
California
California is the first state to cover immigrants irrespective of their legal status, starting with children in 2016. It is the only state with the most unauthorized residents, which provides health insurance and covers 655,000 immigrants.
In January 2020, California extended its Medicaid coverage to young adults (19 to 25 years) and adults (50 or older years) irrespective of immigration status. As of Jan 2024 the state expanded medical programs to include people in age between 26 and 49 irrespective of their immigration status.
Illinois
Illinois has extended the state-funded coverage to include low-income individuals who are 65 or older, irrespective of their immigration status, through their Health Benefits For Immigrant Seniors Program (HBIS) in December 2020.
The coverage extended to low-income immigrants in age between 40 and 64, respectively, of immigration status, through the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program in 2022. Illinois has paused the enrollment for the HBIS HBO program as of June 2024 because of funding constraints.
DC
The District of Columbia offers healthcare to low-income residents irrespective of their immigration status through a locally funded HealthCare Alliance Program.
Colorado
Colorado uses state funds for providing marketplace coverage along with premium subsidies to those who have income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, irrespective of immigration status, through Section 1332 waiver. They provided a subsidized plan with a $0 premium through their SilverEnhanced Savings. However, the program paused enrollment as of 2024 due to funding constraints.
Washington
Washington offers marketplace coverage with premium subsidies to those who have income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, irrespective of their immigration status, through Section 1332 waiver. Starting from July 2024, the state will allow individuals irrespective of immigration status with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level to pay for the state-funded Medicaid program, and this will be updated to reflect funding availability.
Oregon
As of 1st July 2023, Oregon has extended their medical coverage to adults who can meet the residency and income criteria irrespective of immigration status.
New York
New York has extended their Medicaid Program since 2023 to cover senior citizens over 65 irrespective of their immigration status.
Other States
Maryland also allows income-eligible residents to purchase marketplace coverage irrespective of their immigration status. This is possible through Section 1332 waiver without subsidies.
Minnesota plans also allow qualified low-income residents, irrespective of their immigration status, to enroll in the state-subsidized sliding-scale program Minnesota Care for low income people in 2025, depending on the availability of funds.
In Connecticut, new enrollment of children irrespective of their immigration status is limited to those who are below 13 years of age and those who are under 16 years of age beginning July 2024 but they can stay enrolled up to 19 years of age.
Head to our next guide to know which Dentists take Medicare and Medicaid For Adults near me
Can Undocumented Immigrants Get Private Health Insurance?
Yes, private health insurance is available to undocumented immigrants. Also known as commercial insurance, private health insurance is provided by private companies and is an ideal option for those who are unable to qualify for government health insurance programs. However, purchasing your own plan as an undocumented immigrant can be expensive since access to ACA marketplaces is limited.
A marketplace is a service that allows people to shop for insurance plans, including subsidized coverage, to make their health insurance cheaper. Unsubsidized plans outside the ACA marketplace are the only available options for undocumented immigrants. If you’re looking for private health insurance coverage but don’t know how to start, then you can use the ‘Find Local Help Tool’ or get enrollment advice from the ‘National Immigration Legal Services Directory’.
Conclusion
More than 10 million undocumented immigrants are living in the US, and around half of them are not insured. If you are facing barriers in accessing affordable and quality healthcare as an immigrant, then there are many options that you can turn to, starting from emergency Medicaid, free clinics, community health centers, and safety net hospitals. There is medical insurance for green card holders over 70 years old in the form of Medicaid or other federal and state healthcare assistance programs. You have the right to get healthcare assistance regardless of your immigration status. Even though the federal government prohibits undocumented immigrants from getting public health insurance, you can get private insurance from your employer or by purchasing your own plan.
Head to our blogs at Get Government Grants to avail free resources and government programs for low-income families. Our guide has numerous supportive programs and names of organizations that help people in times of need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Go To The Hospital If I Am An Immigrant?
Hospitals are mandated legally to care for every patient who needs emergency treatment, irrespective of their citizenship status.
Can a Non-US Citizen Get Health Insurance?
Lawfully present immigrants can get marketplace coverage and qualify for low costs on monthly premiums and extra savings on out-of-pocket costs based on their income.
What Makes an Immigrant Undocumented?
Undocumented immigrants in America are those who do not pose a valid visa or other immigration documents since they entered the US without inspection and stayed longer than their temporary visa permitted.
Can Illegal Immigrants Apply For A Green Card?
A foreigner who enters the US illegally without inspection by US border agents cannot obtain a Green card while remaining in the USA.
