Health Coverage for Immigrant Families
What lawfully present immigrants, DACA recipients, mixed-status families, and undocumented neighbors can access — and how to apply safely.
Last updated: May 2026
Many immigrants and mixed-status families qualify for free or low-cost health coverage in the U.S. — but the rules are confusing and fear of "public charge" still keeps people from applying. This guide explains, in plain English and Spanish, who qualifies and how to enroll safely.
Applying for Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA marketplace coverage for yourself or your children is not counted under the current public charge rule (USCIS, 2022 update). Only long-term institutional care or cash assistance is considered.
Lawfully present immigrants
If you are "lawfully present," you can buy a plan on the ACA Marketplace and may qualify for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions — even if your income is below the federal poverty level. This includes:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders)
- Refugees, asylees, and people granted withholding of deportation
- Cuban/Haitian entrants and Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants
- People with valid non-immigrant visas (work, student, U/T visas)
- People with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- DACA recipients — eligible for ACA Marketplace coverage as of November 2024
The 5-year bar for Medicaid & CHIP
Most lawfully present adults must wait 5 years after getting qualified status before they can enroll in full Medicaid or CHIP. Exceptions: refugees, asylees, veterans, and active-duty military families have no wait. About 35 states (and DC) have also waived the wait for lawfully present children and pregnant people under the ICHIA option.
Mixed-status families
In a mixed-status household, eligible family members (usually U.S.-born children) can enroll even if a parent is undocumented. Only the applicant's immigration and Social Security information is reviewed — not other household members'. Information you share on a Medicaid or marketplace application is not shared with immigration enforcement.
If you are undocumented
You may still have options:
- Emergency Medicaid covers true emergencies (including labor & delivery) in every state.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community clinics offer primary care on a sliding fee scale, regardless of status.
- Some states (CA, CO, IL, NY, NJ, OR, WA, MN, and others) offer state-funded coverage to children and/or adults regardless of immigration status.
- Pregnant people may qualify for full coverage in many states through the CHIP "unborn child" option.
En Español — Seguro de salud para inmigrantes
Muchos inmigrantes y familias con estatus mixto califican para un seguro de salud gratuito o de bajo costo. Solicitar Medicaid, CHIP o cobertura del Marketplace para usted o sus hijos no afecta el proceso de "carga pública" (public charge).
- Residentes permanentes legales califican para el Marketplace y, después de 5 años, para Medicaid.
- Refugiados, asilados, beneficiarios de TPS y DACA pueden inscribirse en el Marketplace de inmediato.
- Niños nacidos en EE. UU. siempre califican, sin importar el estatus de sus padres.
- Mujeres embarazadas y emergencias médicas están cubiertas en todos los estados.
Hablamos español. Llame al 1-855-720-0800 para hablar con un asesor bilingüe sin costo.
Documents you'll need
- Green card, EAD card, I-94, or other immigration document number
- Social Security Number (if you have one — not required for non-applicants)
- Most recent pay stubs, tax return, or proof of income
- Proof of address in your state
See what you qualify for — free, in under 2 minutes.
Answer a few quick questions and a licensed advisor in your state will walk you through your options. No SSN required, no obligation.