Navigating health insurance as a green card holder in the US

The benefits of health insurance for green card holders

Having health insurance offers several benefits for immigrants and non-U.S. citizens residing in America. Health insurance helps cover the costs of preventive care including annual checkups and screenings to catch potential health issues early. It also provides coverage for doctor visits, prescription drugs, virtual care visits, and hospital stays.

How green card holders can get medical insurance in the US

As a green card holder, you have several options for getting affordable health coverage within the United States. Access to health insurance will depend on things like your age, income, disability status, and whether you have access to a plan through your employer.

The ACA health insurance marketplace

One way for green card holders to get insured is through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace is a vital resource for individuals and families, including green card holders seeking health insurance coverage in the United States. Designed to make it easier to find and enroll in health insurance plans, the Marketplace offers a variety of options to meet different care needs and budgets. Additionally, the Marketplace offers green card holders who may qualify for financial help savings on healthcare costs.

Accessibility and Choice: The Marketplace is an online, user-friendly destination where individuals and families can compare plans side by side. It categorizes plans into four main levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories help consumers understand the balance between their monthly plan premium and out-of-pocket costs for care.

Financial Help: One of the major benefits of the ACA Marketplace is that financial help is available through subsidies. Depending on your income, you may qualify for financial help that lower your monthly premium. Additionally, if you enroll in a Silver plan, you may qualify for cost-sharing reductions that decrease your deductible, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. Financial help through the Marketplace can make health insurance more affordable for those who might otherwise struggle to pay for coverage.

Enrollment Periods: The Marketplace has an annual open enrollment period from November 1 through January 15 in most states. However, certain life events, such as job loss, moving to a new city or state, getting married, or having a baby, may qualify individuals and families for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This flexibility ensures that people can get or change coverage as their life circumstances evolve.

Upon receiving a green card, individuals should enroll in health insurance, whether through their employer or the Marketplace, within the 60-day SEP window.

Health insurance for green card holder 

Medicaid for green card holders

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are government health insurance programs for low-income individuals and families, including green card holders. Usually, as a green card holder, you need to wait five years after getting approved immigration status to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP. After the waiting period ends, your household size and income will determine if you are eligible for free or low-cost coverage through one of these programs.

Eligibility criteria varies by state, so it's important for green card holders to check your state's Medicaid and CHIP guidelines.