Affordable Care Act for Immigrants
Immigration is complicated enough without having to worry about the new minimum health care requirements, but luckily, the eligibility of an immigrant can be determined with almost no effort. Your immigration status is the biggest determining factor – if you’re in the country legally, you can probably use the online marketplace to purchase coverage, but if you’re undocumented, your chances are slim. If you’re unsure about your individual situation, you can refer to healthcare.gov’s exhaustive list to see who qualifies.
What is the Minimum Coverage for an Undocumented Immigrant?
Health care requirements are the same for everyone who can legally use the health care marketplace. If you qualify for ACA health care and file your taxes, you need to hold a minimum level of coverage. The following forms of coverage meet the minimum requirements, but this isn’t an exhaustive list – contact your insurance provider or call us today for more information on whether or not you meet the requirements.
- Insurance through employers or university
- Individual insurance
- CHIP
- Medicare Part A or Part B
- Most Medi-Cal
- Refugee assistance
Can Undocumented Immigrants Get a Penalty for Not Having Health Insurance?
No, undocumented immigrants are not required to purchase health insurance, qualify for an exemption, or pay any associated penalties. They are also not eligible to enroll in health care through the marketplace.
Can Undocumented Immigrants Get Financial Assistance to Pay for Health Coverage?
No. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive financial aid, purchase coverage, or use the online marketplace.
What Documents Are Needed to Enroll in Affordable Care Act Coverage?
Depending on your current immigration status, you may be required to present one or more valid legal documents. Those documents could include:
- Permanent Resident Card I-551 (Green Card)
- Reentry Permit I-327
- Refugee travel document I-571
- Employment Authorization Card I-766
- Machine Readable Immigrant Visa
- Temporary I-551 Stamp on Passport or I-94/I-94A
- Arrival/Departure Record
- Foreign Passport
- Certificate of Eligibility I-20 or DS2019
- Notice of Action I-797
How Do I Apply for Affordable Care Act?
If you meet all requirements and are eligible to purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act, congratulations! 2016 Open Enrollment will take place from November 1st to January 31st, so take advantage of this opportunity and visit healthcare.gov to sign up. Simply go to the website after November 1st and follow the on-screen instructions to compare and purchase policies. Have any questions? Give us a call today!