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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
• Medicaid (AppleHealth)
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
• 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
EligibilityBased only on citizenship/
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
• Medicaid (AppleHealth)
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
• CHIP (Children’s AppleHealth)
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
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EligibilityBased only on citizenship/
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)
SUBJECT TO THE 5-YEAR
WAITING PERIOD?
May be eligible for: • Medicaid (AppleHealth)
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
• Medicaid (AppleHealth)
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
• Medicaid (AppleHealth)
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
• CHIP (Children’s AppleHealth)
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
EligibilityBased only on citizenship/
immigration statusMEI
AGE: 33MICHAEL
AGE: 5LIN
AGE: 72
APPLYING FOR
COVERAGE?
CITIZEN?
IMMIGRATION STATUS Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)
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)
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
• CHIP (Children’s AppleHealth)
• Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollment
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
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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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