Are you an illegal immigrant who needs medical care but doesn’t know how or is frightened to seek it because of your status?
Technically, anyone can seek medical attention regardless of status, BUT the problem lies in the accessibility of health services – especially when paying out from your pocket.
Illegal immigrants often do not seek medical attention because they do not have enough money, don’t have any insurance to cover the medical bills, are afraid of being deported, or are unable to communicate in English.
Despite such constraints, an illegal immigrant can still obtain medical care in various ways. Here are four tips for you on this matter:
Tip #1: Buy a Short-term or Private Health Insurance
Undocumented immigrants are generally not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid (except emergency Medicaid), Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or to purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.
The alternative option is to buy short-term or private health insurance. But it is not as cheap as those in the ACA marketplace.
However, depending on your immigration status or application, there may be cases where you may qualify for marketplace coverage.
Tip #2: Check if your immigration status qualifies you for Marketplace health coverage
Certain immigration statuses qualify to use the marketplace for health coverage, such as, but not limited to:
- Asylee
- Refugee
- Cuban/Haitian Entrant
- Paroled into the U.S.
- Battered Spouse, Child or Parent
- Victim of Trafficking and their Spouse, Child, Sibling or Parent
- Granted Withholding of Deportation or Withholding of Removal
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)
- Deferred Action Status, except Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Additionally, applicants for the following may also be eligible:
- TPS with Employment Authorization
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Victim of Trafficking Visa
- Adjustment to LPR Status
- Asylum
- Withholding of Deportation, or Withholding of Removal
It is best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney like us at Andres Mejer Law to give you the legal assistance and assessment of your specific case.
Tip #3: Check if the state that you live in provides health coverage for undocumented immigrants
Some states are making efforts to expand their health coverage to undocumented immigrants. But, such expansion is still limited and often prioritizes children or pregnant women.
An example of states and their health plans that provide coverage regardless of immigration status are:
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP), which is available for children and kids under 19 years of age who meet the income and other criteria;
- Medi-Cal in California with Young Adult and Older Expansion covers young adults aged 19 to 25 and adults up to age 50.
- Child Health Plus – for all children regardless of status – and Essential Plan – as low-cost insurance for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid – in New York.
- Medical Emergency Payment Program for Aliens in New Jersey, available for those who meet other eligibility requirements for Medicaid except for their legal status, subject to a certain application period.
The above examples are not exhaustive. Hence, It would be advisable to inquire about state regulations for undocumented immigrants’ health coverage as policies may update from time to time.
Tip #4: Check the Nearest Safety Net Hospital, Provider, or Community Health Centers
A safety net hospital is a federally funded health institution that provides health care and treatment to people regardless of their immigration status and ability to pay. This means that they would not ask for any citizenship documentation from you.
Unfortunately, while these facilities provide vital treatment, their services are still confined to preventative and basic care. There are still only a few centers that offer specialty services.
There are various associations with safety net providers that you could check and look up online.
Remember that at the end of the day, it is more advantageous for you to legally stay here in the United States. If you want to make that happen, let an immigration lawyer assess your situation and provide you with the best option and legal representation.
Consult a New Jersey Immigration Attorney
If you’re an illegal immigrant who needs medical care, our trusted New Jersey immigration attorney can help you. Call Andres Mejer Law today!
