How to Get Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance

Can Immigrants Qualify?

Medicaid is generally only available to immigrants (who meet the income eligibility requirements) if they've been legally residing in the U.S. for five years or more.

But lawfully present immigrants can qualify for premium subsidies in the marketplace/exchange even if their income is below the poverty level. This ensures that low-income immigrants can still obtain affordable coverage while they wait five years to qualify for Medicaid.

Medicaid is not usually available to undocumented immigrants, but there can be exceptions. One example is short-term limited Medicaid coverage in an emergency or emergency coverage for people who are pregnant. (Note that undocumented immigrants cannot enroll in private plans through the marketplace, with or without premium subsidies.)

Medicaid eligibility varies from state to state. For example, several states, including California, Oregon, New York, and Connecticut, have chosen to extend Medicaid eligibility to some undocumented immigrants who otherwise meet the income criteria for eligibility.