Health Insurance for Undocumented Immigrants

People who don't have legal status aren't able to buy health insurance from HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace. However, some states allow anyone who has a low enough income to get Medicaid, no matter what their immigration status is. And anyone can get Medicaid coverage for emergency care, as long as they meet the other Medicaid requirements.

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Can undocumented immigrants get Medicaid?

However, 14 states and Washington, D.C. use state funds to allow children to get Medicaid no matter what their immigration status is. A few more states let adults with low incomes get Medicaid regardless of their immigration status, and two states extend coverage to pregnant women.

Medicaid is a government health insurance program for people with low incomes. While you can get Medicaid in some states even if you aren't in the country legally, you still have to meet the income limits. That usually means you have to make less than $21,597 per year if you're single or less than $44,367 if you're part of a family of four.

Children, pregnant women and people with disabilities might be able to make more and still get Medicaid. The income limits change depending on what state you're in. The best way to find out if you're eligible is to talk to your state's Medicaid office. You can find your state's office on HealthCare.gov.

States where people without legal status can get Medicaid

The coverage is part of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and 24 states allow pregnant women to access it regardless of immigration status.

Some states also include coverage for postpartum care. In twelve of these states and Washington, D.C., you can also get care for up to a year after you give birth. In Maryland, postpartum care lasts for four months, while in Alabama and Virginia, it lasts 60 days.

States where undocumented pregnant women can prenatal CHIP coverage

By law, hospitals can't turn you away for emergency care, even if you aren't in the country legally. If you have a low enough income and meet any other state-specific Medicaid requirements, Medicaid will pay for your emergency medical care.

Rules are rapidly changing surrounding Medicaid coverage for people who are not in the U.S. legally. As part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," sometimes called the "reconciliation bill," states may soon be penalized for covering immigrants, including those with legal status, pregnant women and children.

As a penalty, the federal government would lower how much money it gives to these states for their Medicaid programs. That means the states would have to put more money into the programs themselves, which would be costly. California, for example, would have to find $30 billion more in its budget to keep its Medicaid program for immigrants both with and without legal status.

As of May 2025, these changes have not yet become law. As the reconciliation bill moves through the legal system, changes could be made that differently affect coverage for immigrants, both those who have legal status and those who do not. The final version of the bill has not yet been decided on, which means things are changing quickly.

Can undocumented immigrants get health insurance?

Colorado is currently the only state that allows some residents without legal status to get a plan from the marketplace. If you aren't in the country legally and live in Colorado, you can get a marketplace plan if you make less than $45,180 per year as a single person or $93,600 per year as a family of four. You'll also get a discount on your monthly rate, called a subsidy. This program is called a "Section 1332 waiver," and it uses state Medicaid dollars.

Maryland plans to add this option in November 2025. However, Maryland won't allow residents without legal status to get discounts on their monthly rate.

If you aren't in the country legally but have a child who is, you can apply for coverage for them. The website won't ask you for information about your immigration status or the status of anyone in your household who isn't applying for coverage. The marketplace also won't use any immigration status info to enforce immigration laws.

You might be able to buy health insurance directly from an insurance company rather than on the marketplace. You may also be able to get coverage from your job.

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Coverage for people who get Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

In 2024, DACA recipients were able to sign up for coverage on HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace site for the first time. But 19 states sued the federal government over this rule and won. If you live in one of these states and are a DACA recipient, you won't be able to apply for coverage:

The current administration has also suggested that DACA recipients should not be allowed to get coverage from the federal marketplace or a state marketplace. Nothing is official yet, but it's possible that by the fall of 2025, DACA recipients won't be able to apply for marketplace plans.

How to get health care if you're undocumented

In most states, you don't have to mention your immigration status when you get medical care. That information is also generally considered private and protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which means your doctor can't discuss it with anyone without your permission unless they are required to by law. If you don't have insurance, though, you have to pay the full cost for your visit.

Community health centers are a good option if you can't afford to pay for medical care. These clinics offer several types of health care and charge you based on how much you make and how large your family is.

And if you have an emergency, hospitals can't turn you away. Medicaid will pay for emergency treatment, even if you aren't in the country legally, as long as you meet the requirements. Usually this means having a low income, but in some states you also have to meet other criteria, like being pregnant or having a disability.

If you can't get emergency Medicaid, you'll have to pay the entire bill yourself. Hospital bills can be very expensive, but you can work with the hospital to set up a payment plan if you need it.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Sources for this article include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HealthCare.gov, KFF, the National Immigration Forum, and the United States House Budget Committee.