Medicaid and CHIP

Immigrants — Medicaid & CHIP

In general, immigrants who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 must wait five years after receiving qualified status before they are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. Individuals not yet qualified may be eligible for emergency services and some may be eligible for insurance through the Marketplace.

♦ States have the option to adopt broader eligibility rules for immigrant children and pregnant women.

Immigrants who are “qualified non-citizens” are generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if they meet their state’s income and residency rules.

Medicaid & CHIP coverage for lawfully residing children and pregnant women

States have the option to provide Medicaid and CHIP coverage to lawfully present children and pregnant women.

♦ The term lawfully present includes all qualified immigrants, as well as many other types of immigrants who have permission to live or work in the United States.

States can use CHIP funding to provide prenatal care to women who are ineligible for Medicaid, without regard to immigration status.

Some states use state or county funds to provide Medicaid and CHIP to other groups, such as lawfully present immigrants who do not have qualified status and to children who are undocumented.

♦ States have the option to remove the 5-year waiting period.

A child or pregnant woman is lawfully residing if they’re lawfully present and otherwise eligible for Medicaid or CHIP in the state.

Thirty-five states, plus the District of Columbia, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, have chosen to provide coverage to lawfully residing children and pregnant women without a 5-year waiting period.

Some states provide coverage under CHIP while others provide cover under Medicaid.