If you’ve immigrated to the United States outside of proper legal channels or you’ve continued to live and work in the country beyond what your visa allows while you attempt to find a legal means of remaining, then you are probably aware of the fact that certain services available to citizens and legal visitors are not necessarily available to you. But all people should have the right to proper medical care, even those whose legal status is in question. Unfortunately, it is not easy to obtain affordable health insurance in the U.S. as an illegal immigrant. There are options available, but you’ll have to do some research to discover the plan that will work for you. Here are some things to consider.
Let’s begin with government sponsored healthcare options such as Obamacare, or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which is offered through health insurance exchanges. This type of coverage is not available for undocumented immigrants to the United States. Not only are you exempt from receiving any tax credits associated with government health care options, but you are not eligible to purchase such insurance. Medicare and Medicaid are also out of the question for undocumented immigrants. Your children, however, may qualify for such coverage if they are natural citizens (i.e. born in the U.S.) or they meet other criteria. However, you are still eligible to receive emergency medical care under federal law. You simply won’t be allowed to purchase government sponsored or regulated insurance policies (ACA/Obamacare plans).
Of course, some states offer healthcare services for low-income families, regardless of their immigration status. California, for example, has Medi-Cal, a program that provides services like emergency care, long-term care, and pregnancy care for any state residents that meet income requirements. And many states have federally-funded health centers and clinics that provide a variety of healthcare services at a low cost, on a sliding fee scale, or even for free. But access to such services depends largely on the state you live in, the income you earn, and your medical needs.
That said, you can get insurance through private insurance companies, and there are a number of ways to go about it. Because it can be difficult for illegal immigrants to find gainful employment (due to a lack of a Social Security number), you might not have the means to pay for health insurance out of pocket – it can be extremely expensive. And while there are certainly more affordable options, they often do little to alleviate the costs associated with medical care due to high deductibles, limited coverage, and massive co-pays for services.
However, illegal immigrants who find employment opportunities that offer health benefits are eligible to sign up for these policies. And those who attend colleges and universities can take advantage of campus health insurance coverage (which is often required as part of the tuition and fees). Children of illegal immigrants, particularly those born in the U.S. or those brought into the country as children, have more opportunities than adults who are undocumented immigrants. But if you have the cash on hand to pay for private health insurance, it may be your best option.
Submit your questions below or start a conversation in the comments!
I want to buy health insurance for my wife. She is undocumented but I can afford to pay for private insurance and she has an ITIN number that we use of income tax
Sounds great! Most of the carriers that I work with offer their plans to anyone who intends to stay in the US for the duration of the policy, regardless of citizenship status.
If you want to submit your question I’d be happy to contact you asap to help you find the best plan for her.
i overstayed my visa , i have ssn and my wife has taxid number.can we get health insurence.i live in tennesse.
Possibly. It will depend on the specifics of your situation. Submit your question to me and I will respond as soon as possible. Thanks!
Send me info please, we are South Carolina residents
I’d be happy to, send me your contact info using this link.
Can you give me some insurance companies that will offer coverage for undocumented immigrants?
I would be happy to! Submit your question to me and I will respond as soon as possible. Thanks!
Can you please sendme insurance companies that will offer coverage for indocumented too in New Jeesey area please?
I’d be happy to, send me your contact info using this link
I am am an undocumented citizen I ce in with a visit abut my visa expired a long time ago .is it possible for me to get any kind of health insurance and can you please send me some insurance companies that are good options
There could be some options available but it depends on your location. Send me your information and I’ll be able to do some research on the plans in your area.
hi my name is melissa and im wondering about insurance for my sister in law who is undocumented shes been here since she was 2 and now shes 38 she only has emergency access and recently she went to the hospital cause she wasnt feeling good come to find out she was having mini strokes they did test blood work show she has a blood clot in her brain they told her to see a heart and brain specialist but she dont have insurance is there a way she can get health insurance??
Possibly. If she has either a social security number or even just an A-number she will be able to enroll into a plan during open enrollment (November 1st-January 31st). However, if she does not have any documentation whatsoever, and due to the fact she has a rather serious preexisting condition, it may be difficult to find her a policy to cover her needs. Submit your question to me and I will respond as soon as possible and we can discuss her situation in a little more detail. Thanks for visiting and I hope this helps!
Hello there, is there any affordable (possibly cheap) health insurance plans for illegal immigrants in California?
Thank you
It depends. If you are unlawfully residing in the United States, then no, technically there are not. If you are here and simply have neither a social security number nor an A-number, then there are some companies that will provided coverage so long as you plan to reside in the United States for the duration of the policy.
How can we obtain health insurance im undocumented and also my boyfriend and were in need of health insurance asap its too expensive to be paying for health care
You need to look at companies offering coverage to people who are simply “residing” in the United States. Since policy availability and pricing vary from zip-code to zip-code, the quickest and easiest way would be to call a licensed agent who works with multiple carriers, like myself, and we’ll be able to narrow down your options based on your insurance needs and budget. Submit your question to me and I will respond as soon as possible. Thanks!
Hi Rob! I came in the U.S. legally carrying a B-1 Visa to work as domestic servant to an American family. I was on United Health now UMR . When the immigration denied my application to extend my stay I did not leave the country. I continued working to the same family and I continued to use my insurance. When I left my job, I was told that I cannot use my insurance anymore. Now that I’m going back to the same employer I wanted to have my insurance back. I have a SS# I obtained for work purposes (I don’t know how it differs from other’s SS# lol). Can I just use that SS# to get my medical insurance I used to have at UMR? Please help!
MC
If you are residing here legally, then yes, you would be able to use that SS number same as any other. If you are unsure about your status, or just want to see what your options would be, submit your question to me and I will respond as soon as possible and we can discuss your option. Thanks!
Hi again, I used to be legal carrying a B-1 Visa but the last time I applied for my extension to stay, the immigration did not approve it saying I’ve reached my max time to stay therefore I should leave the country but I did not leave. I became undocumented but I continued to work because I need it to support my family back home. I need health insurance, what shall I do?
Your options will depend on the specifics of your status as well as the plan availability in your area. Submit your question to me and I will respond as soon as possible. Thanks!
Hello my brother in law is here illegally can he get health insurance. He doesn’t have social security or tax I’d number.
If he came over here illegally and does not have any documentation whatsoever, chances are he will not be able to get traditional insurance. His options will be dependent on his status as well as plan availability in his area. Submit your question to me and I will respond as soon as possible so we can discuss his options. Thanks!
Im illegal immigrant with ITIN number for taxes. Im planing to get ivf and pregnancy (i hope) sometimes next year and I would like to find coverage before it. Im thinking about health insurance from private institutions.
Would you be able to find some insurance coverage for it?
It depends on the specifics of both your residency status as well as plan availability in your area. Submit your question to me and I will respond asap and we can discuss your options. Thanks!
My fiance overstayed a student visa and is currently out of status. She will be applying for status adjustment and naturalization after we get married. She has an SSN for tax filing. I may not be able to add her to my job’s insurance plan since it is very restrictive and they do not usually cover spouses of employees. Her current employer does not offer coverage. We are concerned since she is currently out of status how she can get affordable insurance, and if she is not able to obtain it, what would the tax penalties be? If we file “Married filing separate” would the fine be based on just her income or both of ours combined?
As far as her eligibility for enrollment in general, the specifics of her status will dictate whether she can enroll or not. Even if she is unable to enroll now because of her residency status, once she becomes legal she will qualify for a special enrollment for health insurance — if it is not open enrollment when that happens. Also, if she can not get coverage now there are other options to look into for assistance paying medical bills, should they arise. The tax penalties will be based on her household size and her household’s yearly income. I have a calculator here to help you. Yes, if you file separate the income will be just from her; however, in order to qualify for a subsidy (the thing that makes insurance or “obamacare” affordable) you would have to file jointly.
Hello,
My husband is undocumented, would he be eligible for coverage through the plan that I currently have through my employer?
Probably not, but it would be worth checking with your HR department — each company will treat things like this differently. However, if he is residing in the US legally he can sign up for individual insurance. Enrollment for major medical plans is open until January 1st and there are many short term options that are available year round.
Hi I would like to know if my husband who is illegal can get health coverage through me. I have Medicaid
Medicaid is regulated differently by each individual state and typically reserved for individuals and families with both children AND who are below the federal poverty line. When the ACA (Obamacare) went in to effect it provided an opportunity for each state to expand medicaid, however it was optional and many states elected not to take part in the medicaid expansion aspect of the ACA. If your husband is illegal and not pursuing any means to become legal then most likely he cannot be covered under any plan — medicaid or individual insurance. However, it does depend on the exact status of his situation, you would want to check with your local Social Security Office to find out; or you can submit your information here and we can set up an appointment to discuss his options.
Hello,
Is there any way you could provide me with a list of insurance companies that would take a person with the ITIN? I have been researching to get insurance for my father who is undocumented.
Thanks!
It will depend on your specific situation and location, send me your contact info using this link
Hi, could you send me a list of providers that accept ITIN numbers for Georgia.
I’d be happy to, but it will depend on your specific situation and location, send me your contact info using this link
Hello!
I currently have a work visa under the DACA program and I am looking for health insurance. I currently work two jobs in Atlanta, GA. I have a Social Security card and plan to renew my state id soon. Any sites or companies I should look at specifically?
Thank you in advance!
It will depend on the details of your status and plan availability will be determined by your home address. Send me your info using this link and we can find some options for you.
Hi,
My Cousin came on work permit Visa. He has SSN. He over stayed and now he is illegal. He has to go to the hospital as he is sick.
He is in Virginia, could you please suggest any Insurance plans for him.?
If he has completely overstayed and is indeed fully illegal then his options may be limited. The availability of plans and options will depend on the exact status of his situation. Contact me here and we can discuss his options. Thanks!
Hi I am michael 22 years old I am daca have a ssn and work authorization permit I live in nj . I was wondering if my Employer can give me the employer provided health insurance got a form from them. Thank You
Employer coverage varies from company to company and is regulated differently in each state. It won’t hurt to fill out the form, and if you are here legally then they most likely will approve you. Good luck!
My husband is cuurrently working and is undocumented. He has an ITIN number. And I was wondering if he can get health coverage. And who can we contact to apply.
The level of coverage available to him will depend on not only on his citizenship status but also his age, location, health etc. Use this link to send me your contact information. If I can’t help you I’d be happy to point you in the right direction. Thanks!
Hello, I have DACA, social security number, and worker permit. I’m currently enrolled in a community college here in North Carolina, and was required to have Health Insurance. However, I keep searching options and many say no. Do you think I can bypass the school’s requirement, because I have DACA?
In my experience, schools have varying requirements for health insurance mandates — you’ll have to speak with the school. The good news is that many schools accept short term health insurance which is usually much cheaper!
Hi, I currently have united health insurance for my wife and I through my employer. I have Daca , my wife is undocumented. She has a preexisting condition (breast cancer.) I want to change carrers. I want to get into real estate. My question is, can I purchase private insurance for my wife? Will her undocumented status or preexisting condition be an issue?
As long as your wife is here legally — in one form or another — she will be able to sign up for ACA/Obamacare regulated plans which are guaranteed issue. This means that they will not withhold coverage or charge extra due to any sort of preexisting condition. However, if you are willfully leaving your job, and therefore your health insurance coverage, you most likely will not qualify for a special enrollment into Obamacare and will have to wait until 2017 to be covered.
Hello,
I came here under a visitor’s visa in ’95 when I was 10 and overstayed. I do have a valid social security but it clearly states on the card it that I’m unable to work. Also, I am currently working on completing my DACA application which might make things easier . In the meantime, I would like to find out if I’m able to purchase any type of healthcare or recieve certain types of healthcare from the state or the county. Do you have any suggestions?
As long as you have documentation proving that you are here legally you can try and find health insurance just as if you were a citizen. It is closed enrollment for ACA plans however; this means that unless you qualify for a special enrollment your only options would be short term coverage plans.
can you please tell me what private insurance companies are good options for those requiring chemotherapy in georgia
I’d be happy to but plan availability and pricing are based on your zip code and other personal information. Send me your email or contact information and we can schedule a time to go over your options. P
Hello.. I am hoping to move to Maui, Hawaii.. I currently live in San Francisco, Ca.. I have overstayed my 3month visa waiver.. I was wondering if you would know how I could get medical coverage when in Hawaii.? Thankyou
If you were able to obtain coverage in CA after overstaying your visa it should be a similar process, if you still qualify in HI. Plan availability will depend on where specifically you are planning to move, send me your preferred contact info and we can do a little more research. Thanks!
I am an American Citizen, my husband is an undocumented immigrant. I have health insurance through my employment. Can I obtain health insurance for him through my employment or add him to my policy? If not, can you send me the names of some agencies that I can purchase private health care for him We live in San Diego, CA. Thank you very much.
Whether you can add him to your employer’s coverage depends on your employer — you’ll need to talk to your company’s HR department or whoever handles the company’s health insurance.
I’d be happy to help you find other plans for him, send me your contact information and we can set up a time to go over his options.