Health Coverage in a New Country — You Don't Have to Figure It Out Alone.

Can immigrants without a green card get marketplace coverage?

It depends on your immigration status, not the color of your card. The federal marketplace (Healthcare.gov) is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and a wide list of "lawfully present" non-citizens. That list includes green card holders (lawful permanent residents), refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, most visa holders (student, work, and family visas), certain trafficking survivors, and people with Temporary Protected Status. If you're in one of these categories, you can enroll and, based on income, receive premium tax credits like any citizen would. Undocumented residents cannot use the federal marketplace, but a growing number of states — including California, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington — now offer state-funded Medicaid-like coverage regardless of immigration status, especially for children.

Who qualifies for what, in one page

Eligibility depends on your immigration status, your income, and your state. Here's the general picture — your advisor confirms your specific case.

What is 'public charge' and does health coverage count against me?

Public charge is a rule that lets immigration officials deny green cards to people considered likely to become dependent on the government. Under the current federal rule (in effect since 2022), only two benefit categories count toward public charge: long-term institutional care paid for by Medicaid, and cash assistance programs like SSI or TANF. Using Medicaid for ordinary care, using CHIP for your children, receiving premium tax credits on the marketplace, using community health centers, receiving WIC or SNAP, getting emergency Medicaid, or being vaccinated does NOT count against you. Many families have avoided coverage for years out of an older, stricter rule that no longer applies. If you're worried, an advisor can walk through your specific situation in confidence.

What documents will I be asked for?

• Permanent Resident Card (I-551), Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or visa
• Social Security Number — if you have one; not required for every category
• Proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax return, or an employer letter)
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or shelter letter)
• Immigration case number, if you're in an active immigration process
• For children: birth certificates or proof of immigration status

How do I find a bilingual advisor I can trust?

Look for someone who is either a licensed health insurance agent or a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) trained under CMS guidelines. Both are federally recognized roles that require training and accountability. Free navigators are also available in every state through federally funded programs. Ask if they charge you anything — legitimate marketplace assistance is always free to the consumer, whether it's a broker (paid by the carrier) or a navigator (paid by federal grant). At Meet Assistance, our advisors are bilingual (English/Spanish) with other languages available by appointment. We will never ask for immigration documents until you decide you want to apply, and we will never charge you.

What if I'm in a mixed-status household?

Mixed-status households — where some members are U.S. citizens or lawful residents and others are not — are common and can enroll partially. On the marketplace, only eligible household members are counted for coverage, but the whole household's income determines subsidies. That means a U.S.-citizen child in a household with undocumented parents can be enrolled in a subsidized plan or CHIP even if the parents can't be. Immigration authorities do not share marketplace enrollment information with ICE. An advisor can walk through the arithmetic and help you enroll only the members who qualify, without exposing anyone else.

Frequently asked questions