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Are You Eligible for Health Insurance?A GUIDE FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

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Under the federal Affordable Care Act, more people are getting free or low-cost health insurance than ever before. Many immigrants and refugees are able to get health insurance, and it is safe to apply. The information you share is private and cannot be given to immigration enforcement.

If you are an immigrant or refugee living in

Washington State, it’s easy to find out if you are

eligible. If you have questions, you can get free,

expert help in your language and translated

documents if you need them.

What is the Affordable Care Act?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a federal

law that changes the way people get health

insurance. You may have heard of it as

Obamacare. More people are eligible for free

or low-cost health insurance plans, even if they

were not eligible in the past. In Washington State,

these health insurance plans (called Qualified

Health Plans) are available through Washington

Healthplanfinder.

4 Steps to Getting Health Insurance

1 Find out if you’re eligible.

2 Gather the documents that verify your identity and income.

3 Get free help if you need it.

4 Apply for your health insurance.

It’s easy to get started.

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What if you’re not eligible?

If you are not eligible for

health insurance at Washington

Healthplanfinder, you may use

other health care resources that are

available to all people, including:

• Apple Health (Medicaid) for limited

emergency services

• CHIP coverage for pregnant women

• Federally Qualified Health Centers

(FQHCs)

• Migrant and Community Health

Centers

• Hospital charity care

• Health insurance coverage outside

of Washington Healthplanfinder

Your immigration status will determine whether you are able to get health insurance.

Many immigration statuses are eligible for coverage, including:

• Legal Permanent Resident

(LPR/green card holder)

• Asylee

• Refugee

• Cuban/Haitian entrant

• Conditional entrant

• Battered spouse, child or parent

• Trafficking survivor and spouse, child,

sibling or parent

• Granted withholding of deportation

or withholding of removal under the

Immigration Laws or the Convention

Against Torture (CAT)

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

• Lawful Temporary Resident

• Nonimmigrant Status—includes worker

visas, student visas, and citizens of

Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau

• Administrative order staying removal issued

by the Department of Homeland Security

• Member of a federally recognized Indian

tribe or American Indian born in Canada

• Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)

• Deferred Action Status (Exception:

individuals granted deferred action under

the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

[DACA] program are not eligible.)

Find out if you’re eligible.

You may also be eligible if you are applying for any of these statuses:

• Adjustment to LPR status

• Temporary Protected Status with employment

authorization

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

• Victim of Trafficking Visa

• Asylum

• Withholding of Deportation or Withholding of

Removal under immigration laws or the Convention

Against Torture (CAT)

Employment authorization may make you eligible:

• Registry Applicants

• Order of Supervision

• Applicant for Cancellation of Removal or

Suspension of Deportation

• Application for Legalization under the Immigration

Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

• Legalization under the Legal Immigration Family

Equity Act (LIFE Act)

If you need help confirming your immigration status,

please call 1-855-WAFINDER (1-855-923-4633). Free

help is available in your language.

Source: www.healthcare.gov

1.


When you apply for health insurance, you will need to provide some information about yourself, your income, and others in your household.

This information is needed to find out if

you are eligible for free or low-cost health

insurance, or tax credits. The immigration

status of others in your household cannot

cause you to be denied coverage.

You may also need one or more of these

documents to show your immigration

status:

• Social Security Numbers (or document

numbers for legal immigrants)

• Employer and income information for each

household member who needs coverage

• Pay stubs or a W-2 form

• Insurance cards or policy numbers for any

household members who already have

insurance

Gather your documents.2. Important Protection

Choosing who applies for coverage.

Households can name the members

of their household who are “non-

applicants.” These household

members do not have to share their

citizenship/immigrant status. But non-

applicants must supply information

that helps determine the applicant’s

eligibility, such as income and tax

filings. This information is private.

It is not shared with immigration

enforcement.

Requests for Social Security Numbers.

Some applicants do not have to give

a Social Security Number (SSN).

Non-applicants do not have to give a

Social Security Number (SSN) unless

all of the following are true:

• They or their tax dependents are

applying for premium tax credits.

• They have an SSN.

• They are taxpayers.

It is safe to apply.

It is safe to apply for health insurance coverage

through Washington Healthplanfinder, including free

and low-cost state programs such as Apple Health

(Medicaid) and Children’s Apple Health (CHIP).

Information given by applicants cannot be used for

immigration enforcement purposes. The documents

you share can only be used to determine eligibility

for health insurance coverage. To find out if you are

eligible, we need to prove your identity, income and

lawful presence in the U.S.

It is important to know that you are protected

by law:

• Both citizens and undocumented children under the

age of 19 are eligible to enroll. This is true even if

their parents are undocumented.

• You cannot be denied benefits because a

household member, who is not applying, has not

provided information on their immigration status.

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Get free help to determine your eligibility and apply for health insurance.

Health insurance now covers more people,

and many people need help finding out

if they are eligible for free or low-cost

coverage. If you have questions or need

support, expert help is free.

For free, in-person help:

Call 1-855-WAFINDER (1-855-923-4633)

or visit wahbexchange.org/how-enroll/

customer-support-network/ to find a

Navigator or Insurance Broker near you.

It is safe to trust these advisors with your

information and questions. They are certified

and, by law, must help without discrimination

or threats of reporting to Immigration and

Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Homeland

Security.

For free, private help by phone, in your language:

Call 1-855-WAFINDER (1-855-923-4633).

Translator services in your language are free.

Questions? We have answers.

? If I apply for health insurance, will the government find out that my spouse (or child) is undocumented?

A: No; it is safe to apply. The Affordable Care Act includes strong privacy protection to

encourage mixed-status immigrant families to apply for the health insurance they need.

No information is shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Department

of Homeland Security (DHS).

? Is it safe to ask questions and get help from advisors?

A: Yes, it is safe. All Washington Healthplanfinder employees and contractors must follow strict

privacy rules. Contractors include: Qualified Health Plan (QHP) issuers, Navigators, insurance

agents and brokers.

? If I apply for Apple Health (Medicaid) or for help with health insurance costs, will our application for a green card or citizenship be denied?

A: No, your application for a green card or citizenship will not be affected. Washington

Healthplanfinder subsidies, Apple Health (Medicaid) and Children’s Apple Health are not used

in screening green card applicants. There is only one special case: if you get long-term care in a

nursing home, or other facility, paid for by the government.

? How am I protected from discrimination?

A: All entities that get federal financial assistance (including all Qualified Health Plans sold on

Washington Healthplanfinder) are held accountable to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and ACA

Section 1557, which prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity and national origin.

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Get free help if you need it.3.


Congratulations! If you are eligible for health insurance, you can begin to enroll.

You can enroll in a high-quality health

insurance plan online using Washington

Healthplanfinder, by phone, or in-person.

Set up an online account.

To apply for a health insurance plan on

Washington Healthplanfinder, you will need

to create an online account. You must have

an email address to establish your account.

You can also look at health insurance plans

online and find the best one for your needs.

Your application ID

Healthplanfinder creates a unique application

ID number when you or the person helping

you sets up your online account. You will

need this application ID to track your

application.

Verifying ID and income.

If you are not able to complete ID verification:

You can complete the application using a paper form,

or over the phone. You can speak to someone in

your language. Free translator services are available

by phone. You will need to make copies of and

mail or upload documents to your Washington

Healthplanfinder (website: wahealthplanfinder.org)

account to complete your application:

• Include your application ID number or a copy of the

application with all mailed documents.

• Do not send your originals.

• Mail copies to:

Washington Health Benefit Exchange

PO Box 946

Olympia, WA 98507

To verify income:

• If you don’t know your Social Security Number

(SSN), or if you don’t have a Social Security

Number, your income cannot be verified through a

match with SSA or IRS.

• You may have to make copies of and mail or upload

paper documentation showing your income.

• Your ITIN is not needed in the application process.

It is not used to match with IRS data.

Apply for health insurance.4. Identity Documents

When applying for health insurance,

applicants can prove their identity by

mailing or uploading:

One of these:

• Driver’s License

• School ID Card

• Voter Registration Card

• U.S. Military Card or Draft Record

• Military Dependent ID Card

• Tribal Card

• Authentic Document from a Tribe

• U.S.C.G. Merchant Marine Card

• ID Card issued by the federal, state

or local government, including

immigration document and

U.S. passport

Or two of these:

• U.S. Public Birth Record

• Social Security Card

• Marriage Certificate

• Divorce Decree

• Employer Identification Card

• High School or College Diploma

• Property Deed or Title


When you apply, we will tell you if you are eligible for:

• Cost savings or free coverage based

on your income.

85% of people who got insurance through

Washington Healthplanfinder have

qualified for premium tax credits. These tax

credits lower the cost of health insurance

coverage. All plans cover essential health

benefits, pre-existing health problems, and

preventive care.

• Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage,

which now covers more people in

Washington State.

Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) and

its Children’s Health Insurance Program

(CHIP) provide free or low-cost coverage

to families with limited incomes. You can

apply for Apple Health and CHIP any time

of year. There are no deadlines. If you are

eligible, coverage can start immediately.

By mail, phone, or online you can:

• Ask for paper notices and letters in your

language.

• Get free, expert help from the Customer

Support Center in your language.

• Report changes and complete renewals

through the website by calling the

Customer Support Center or by mailing the

information to:

Washington Health Benefit Exchange

PO Box 946

Olympia, WA 98507

Each individual and family has different health insurance needs. Here are four stories that show how families with different incomes and immigration statuses are eligible for health care insurance now.

Real People, Real Health Care Coverage.


EligibilityBased only on citizenship/

immigration statusVIKTOR AGE: 27

MIRIAM AGE: 27

ANTON AGE: 2

APPLYING FOR

COVERAGE?

CITIZEN?

IMMIGRATION STATUS Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)

SUBJECT TO THE 5-YEAR

WAITING PERIOD?

SATISFIED THE 5-YEAR

WAITING PERIOD?

May be eligible for: • Medicaid (AppleHealth)

• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment


• Medicaid (AppleHealth)


• CHIP (Children’s AppleHealth)

Viktor and Miriam are married and live in

Washington State. Miriam became a Legal

Permanent Resident (LPR) 2 years ago. Viktor

became a citizen last year. Their son, Anton,

was born in Washington. He does not yet

have a Social Security Number (SSN), but his

parents have applied for it. The family income is

$17,577. Viktor and Miriam file taxes jointly, and

claim Anton as a dependent.

STORY 1

Viktor, Miriam and Anton


immigration statusRICKY

AGE: 24EVA

AGE: 24KARINA AGE: 1

APPLYING FOR

COVERAGE?

CITIZEN?

IMMIGRATION STATUS Visaholder (student) Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

RESIDENCY FOR QHP

ENROLLMENT?

May be eligible for: • Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment

• Medicaid for payment of limited emergency services




Ricky and Eva are not married, but they live

together with their daughter, Karina. Ricky has a

student visa and plans to complete his studies at

Washington State University in 2017. He has no

income. Eva has Deferred Action for Childhood

Arrivals (DACA). She earns $37,107 a year. She

plans to file federal taxes and will claim Ricky

and Karina as dependents. Their daughter,

Karina, is a citizen.

STORY 2

Ricky, Eva and Karina



immigration statusNADIF

AGE: 33FATIMA AGE: 32

AMINA AGE: 4

APPLYING FOR

COVERAGE?

CITIZEN?

IMMIGRATION STATUS Refugee, Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)

Refugee, Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)


WAITING PERIOD?








Nadif and Fatima entered the U.S. as refugees

4 years ago. They are married and have a

daughter, Amina. The couple became Legal

Permanent Residents (LPRs) 1 year ago. Amina is

a citizen. Nadif earns $18,553 a year. Fatima has

no income. Nadif and Fatima file taxes jointly

and claim Amina as a dependent.

STORY 4

Nadif, Fatima and Amina


immigration statusMEI

AGE: 33MICHAEL

AGE: 5LIN

AGE: 72

APPLYING FOR

COVERAGE?

CITIZEN?

IMMIGRATION STATUS Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)

Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)


WAITING PERIOD?

SATISFIED THE 5-YEAR

WAITING PERIOD?







Mei lives with her son, Michael, and her father,

Lin. She has been a Legal Permanent Resident

(LPR) for 6 years. Michael is a citizen. Lin has

been a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) for

2 years. He has not worked the 40 quarters

needed to be eligible for Medicare. He is Mei’s

dependent. Mei earns $26,942 a year.

STORY 3

Mei, Michael and Lin


Additional Resources

• List of Immigration Statuses that Qualify for Marketplace Coverage: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigration-status-and-the-marketplace/

• Health Coverage for Immigrants: Immigrants | HealthCare.gov: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/

• Memo from U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE): “Clarification of Existing Practices Related to Certain Health Care Information”: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/ero-outreach/pdf/ice-aca-memo.pdf

• Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families (blog): The Administration’s New Welcome Mat for Immigrants: “It’s Safe to Apply”: http://ccf.georgetown.edu/all/the-administrations-new-welcome-mat-for-immigrants-its-safe-to-apply/

• CMS Materials in Other Languages: https://marketplace.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/other-languages.html

• FAQ – Exclusion of Youth Granted “DACA” from Health Coverage: http: Search Results – National Immigration Law Center: http://www.nilc.org/search.html?act=soon&srch=quick+guide+to+immigrant+eligibility (PDF)

• National Immigration Law Center Immigrants and The Affordable Care Act (in English and Spanish): http://nilc.org/immigrantshcr.html

• Quick Guide to Immigrant Eligibility for ACA and Key Federal Means-Tested Programs: Search Results – National Immigration Law Center: http://www.nilc.org/search.html?act=soon&srch=quick+guide+to+immigrant+eligibility

• Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs: http://www.nilc.org/document.html?id=108 (PDF)

• Medical Assistance Programs for Immigrants in Various States: http://nilc.org/document.html?id=159 (PDF)

• Lawfully Present Individuals Eligible Under the ACA: http://www.nilc.org/document.html?id=809 (PDF)

• Typical Documents Used by Lawfully Present Immigrants: http://www.nilc.org/document.html?id=35 (PDF)

• FAQ – Exclusion of Youth Granted “DACA” from Health Coverage: http://www.nilc.org/document.html?id=802 (PDF)

• Defining Health Care Insurance: A Glossary of Terms: http://wahbexchange.org/files/1214/2134/4552/OP_Health_Literacy_Glossary_011215.pdf

• Search for a Navigator: https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/HBEWeb/Annon_DisplayBrokerNavigatorSearch.action?brokerNavigator=NAV

• Consumer Reports, Health Insurance explanation materials in Spanish and English: https://www.asbaces.com/newaces/(S(ragm1lyu14dvzkz2gwdohd5e))/storefront.aspx?CatalogID=6619&PageNumber=1&SubCatID=&SavedCart=N

• Enroll America Health Insurance Literacy Resource Hub: http://www.enrollamerica.org/hil/

More questions?

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