Low cost health insurance for undocumented immigrants

Federal government restrictions prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving public health insurance. But you can still get private insurance through your employer or by purchasing your own plan.

Healthcare is an important prerequisite for everything in your life. It’s hard to live, work, and thrive if you don't have access to preventative services and medical treatments when you need them. This is true no matter where you live or where you’re from.

However, while access to healthcare services in the U.S. is straightforward for some, it’s hard, frustrating, and disheartening for many others. Several barriers contribute to these burdens. Your immigration status is often one of them.

But no matter how you came to the U.S., you have a right to live a healthy and fulfilling life. This starts with accessing healthcare services when you need them. But given the complex nature of the country’s healthcare system, it’s hard to know where to start. It can be tough to find empathetic, empowering, and safe health services for you and your family.

Here, we’ll talk about your rights to access medical care as an undocumented immigrant. Let’s dive in.

Health insurance for undocumented immigrants

Health insurance is confusing. There are many terms to know and policies to be aware of. But medical care and health insurance usually go hand-in-hand, so it’s often necessary to be aware of what your coverage options are.

In general, there are many health insurance options in the U.S. But due to a few laws, coverage options are unfortunately more limited for undocumented immigrants. 

Regardless, you still have a right to obtain health insurance.

Can undocumented immigrants get private health insurance?

Yes. Undocumented immigrants can get private health insurance. Private health insurance — often called commercial insurance — is health insurance that’s offered by a private company.

If you work for an organization that offers health insurance, you have the option to get it from them. This is an ideal option when possible. And in some cases, you can also buy private health insurance plans on your own.

But purchasing your own plan as an undocumented immigrant can be expensive. This is because access to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace is blocked. This is a service that allows you to shop for insurance plans, including subsidized coverage options. A subsidy is a type of tax credit that can make health insurance cheaper. More expensive, unsubsidized plans outside of the ACA Marketplace are currently the only private plans that are available.

If you’re looking for private coverage but don’t know where to start, know that help is available. One option is to recruit the help of an insurance enrollment assistant near you by using the government’s Find Local Help tool. You can also seek enrollment advice from the National Immigration Legal Services Directory.

Does private insurance open the door for other savings opportunities?

Yes, in certain cases.

For example, many medication manufacturers have financial assistance programs available for people with private insurance. So, if you're prescribed an expensive brand-name medication, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance. And immigration status isn't an eligibility requirement for many of these programs.

However, many other financial assistance programs are also available for people without insurance coverage.

Can undocumented immigrants get Medicare or Medicaid?

In general, no. 

Undocumented immigrants don’t have access to health insurance plans that are government-sponsored. These are also called public insurance plans. This includes programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). And as mentioned, the ACA Marketplace is off the table.

But there’s a few public options that may be available. 

One is emergency Medicaid. If you’re experiencing serious symptoms and need immediate medical attention, you may be able to qualify for this short-term coverage option. But each U.S. state has its own Medicaid program, so specific requirements can differ depending on where you live. 

Some states may also offer their own version of CHIP to undocumented children, such as Connecticut, Washington state, and a few others. 

Do any U.S. states have plans to offer health insurance to undocumented immigrants?

Yes. If you live in California, health insurance is starting to look more obtainable. California is looking to expand health insurance access to all low-income residents, regardless of their immigration status.

This move for better healthcare access is actually an extension of previous efforts. Undocumented immigrants that are ages 26 or younger or 50 or older are already available to get state-sponsed health insurance. This coverage is available through Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program.

This is a sign of progress in the effort to make health insurance more affordable, and a few other states have similar goals to California.

Medical care for undocumented immigrants

Regardless of your insurance or immigration status, you have a right to receive medical care in the U.S.

If you have insurance, it’s recommended to seek medical care at a place that’s covered by your insurance policy. You can find a list of covered organizations near you by calling your insurance provider or by looking at your plan information online.

But other options are available too, especially if you don’t have insurance. Places like public and critical access hospitals and emergency rooms offer healthcare services to people with and without insurance.

And while healthcare is generally expensive in the U.S., there are many organizations that offer care at little to no cost. This includes free clinics and federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs).

If you need help navigating your medical care options, you can also consider using a patient advocate (case manager). Patient advocates are people who serve as guides that can point you in the right direction to healthcare services and support tools.

Will healthcare workers check my immigration status?

Not typically. Healthcare providers care about your health and well-being, not your immigration status. You should never avoid or delay receiving healthcare services because of your immigration status.

When you go to a hospital or clinic, you’ll be asked a lot of questions about your background. This could include administrative questions about your current address, contact information, and insurance coverage status. And you’ll definitely be asked many health-related questions, such as your medical history, symptoms, and medications that you take.

However, immigration status is not a question that routinely needs to be asked to deliver medical care. It’s usually only asked if you’re applying for insurance coverage while actively receiving treatment. 

But in some cases, a healthcare provider may ask you about it to better understand your situation. This could help them offer better care for you and connect you with other services you may want or need. 

Will I need an ID to receive treatment?

It depends on where you’re seeking medical services. Some healthcare facilities have policies that make their employees ask for a photo ID. But this isn’t required for many healthcare sites. If it’s being asked, it’s done to verify that medical care is being offered to the right person.

If you don’t have an ID and a healthcare provider asks you for it, just let them know. There are often other ways to verify your identity.

Do healthcare providers have to report my immigration status?

No. In many cases, your healthcare provider doesn't know your immigration status in the first place (unless you've told them). But if they do, they’re only required to provide information if they’re given a warrant.

Laws and ethical codes are in place that block healthcare providers from sharing personally identifiable information to people who aren’t involved in the care of a patient. Healthcare providers also don’t have a legal obligation to look into (or report) your immigration status.

Plus, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers avoid “sensitive locations,” such as healthcare facilities. This includes clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare sites. They may enter public areas in healthcare facilities, but nobody is required to speak to them.

The bottom line

If you live in the U.S., you have a right to receive medical care. This is true regardless of where you were born or what your immigration status is. Yet, there are several barriers for accessing healthcare services as an undocumented immigrant. And given the complex nature of the country’s healthcare system, it’s often just very difficult to know where to look for these services.

If these barriers affect the life of you or a loved one, know that there are many ways to find safe and empathetic care.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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