Jeffrey Wade
Undocumented immigrants in the US face significant barriers to accessing health insurance and care. They are not eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and cannot purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces. As a result, about half of the undocumented immigrant population remains uninsured, and they are more likely than citizens to report postponing or skipping care. However, some states have expanded coverage options for undocumented immigrants, and California became the first state to offer health insurance to all eligible undocumented adults in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of undocumented immigrants with health insurance coverage | 50% |
| Percentage of undocumented immigrants without health insurance coverage | 50% |
| Barriers to health insurance | Fear, confusion about eligibility rules, language access challenges, difficulty navigating the enrollment process, and literacy challenges |
| States with health insurance coverage for undocumented immigrants | California, Colorado, Connecticut, Vermont, Hawaii |
| Health insurance coverage for undocumented children | 14 states and D.C. provide fully state-funded coverage for income-eligible children regardless of immigration status |
| Health insurance coverage for undocumented pregnant people | Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont |
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What You'll Learn
- Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Medicaid or CHIP
- Undocumented adults face barriers to accessing health insurance
- Undocumented children may be eligible for state-funded coverage
- Undocumented immigrants can access some healthcare services
- California offers health insurance to eligible undocumented adults
Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Medicaid or CHIP
Undocumented immigrants in the United States face significant barriers to accessing health coverage and care. They are not eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and cannot purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces. These restrictions contribute to high uninsured rates among undocumented immigrants, with about half of this population lacking health insurance coverage.
Undocumented immigrants are not considered lawfully present in the United States and, therefore, do not meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid or CHIP. Lawfully present immigrants, on the other hand, may qualify for these programs but are still subject to certain restrictions. For example, they may need to meet a five-year waiting period before enrolling in Medicaid or CHIP, even if they satisfy other eligibility criteria.
The inability to access Medicaid or CHIP has significant implications for undocumented immigrants. They often face challenges in obtaining timely and affordable healthcare services, leading to worse health outcomes in the long term. Without insurance coverage, undocumented immigrants may delay or forgo necessary medical care, resulting in more complex and costly treatments down the line. Additionally, language barriers, confusion about eligibility rules, and fear of seeking healthcare services due to immigration status further compound the difficulties in accessing healthcare for this population.
While undocumented immigrants cannot enroll in Medicaid or CHIP, they are not entirely without options for healthcare coverage. In recent years, some states have taken initiatives to expand coverage for this vulnerable population. For example, California became the first state to offer health insurance to all eligible undocumented adults through its Medi-Cal program, regardless of their immigration status. Other states, like Connecticut, Vermont, and Colorado, have implemented similar programs to provide health coverage to undocumented children, pregnant women, or both, who would otherwise be ineligible for Medicaid. These state-level efforts represent a growing recognition of the importance of ensuring healthcare access for undocumented immigrants.
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Undocumented adults face barriers to accessing health insurance
Undocumented adults face significant barriers to accessing health insurance and are more likely to be uninsured than citizens. Noncitizen immigrants have more limited access to private coverage, as they often work in jobs that are less likely to provide health benefits. They also face eligibility restrictions for federally funded coverage options, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace coverage, and Medicare.
Undocumented immigrants are ineligible to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP or to purchase coverage through the ACA Marketplaces. While some states have expanded coverage options for lawfully present immigrants and their children, and a few states provide coverage for income-eligible adults regardless of status, there are still many gaps in coverage for undocumented adults.
Even in states like California, which became the first state to offer health insurance to all eligible undocumented adults, many remain uninsured due to enrollment barriers. These barriers include long application processing times, difficulty reaching the county by phone, and language and literacy challenges. The requirement to provide a social security number on applications can also be a significant deterrent for undocumented immigrants who do not have one.
Additionally, undocumented immigrants may face immigration-related fears, confusion about eligibility rules, and a lack of understanding of the enrollment process, which can further hinder their ability to access health insurance. These barriers contribute to higher uninsured rates among undocumented adults, leading to delayed or skipped healthcare services, which can result in worse long-term health outcomes.
While some undocumented immigrants may have employer-provided coverage or purchase individual plans, the majority face significant challenges in obtaining health insurance, resulting in limited access to healthcare services.
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Undocumented children may be eligible for state-funded coverage
Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in federally funded coverage, including Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare, or to purchase coverage through the ACA Marketplaces. However, some states have expanded access to health coverage for immigrants, and a small but growing number of states have expanded fully state-funded coverage to certain groups of low-income people regardless of immigration status.
As of March 2024, 12 states and Washington, D.C., provide fully state-funded coverage for income-eligible children regardless of immigration status. These states include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island.
Connecticut's HUSKY (Medicaid/CHIP) program covers income-eligible undocumented kids up to age 12, and this will extend to age 15 starting in July 2024. Vermont created the Immigrant Health Insurance Plan, starting in 2022, that provides health coverage to children under age 19 and pregnant women who are not eligible for Medicaid due to their immigration status. Starting in 2025, Colorado will provide Medicaid coverage to undocumented pregnant people and children who would otherwise be eligible based on income. Hawaii is considering legislation in 2025 that would allow income-eligible children and pregnant women to qualify for Medicaid/CHIP regardless of immigration status.
California lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants (who aren't already eligible for Medicaid) "to enroll in health insurance coverage in a manner as substantially similar to other Californians as feasible," while being consistent with federal rules. This legislation does not call for the state to seek federal permission to allow undocumented immigrants to use the Covered California platform.
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Undocumented immigrants can access some healthcare services
Undocumented immigrants face significant barriers to accessing health coverage and care and are more likely to be uninsured than citizens. However, they can access some healthcare services and have options for obtaining health insurance coverage.
The Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law, requires Medicare-participating hospitals to provide screening and stabilization services for anyone who enters their emergency rooms, regardless of insurance or residency status. This means that undocumented immigrants can receive emergency care, but it is often the most expensive setting for healthcare. As a result, local officials in many areas have opted for less expensive alternatives.
Some states have expanded coverage options for undocumented immigrants, particularly for children and pregnant women. For example, Connecticut's HUSKY (Medicaid/CHIP) program covers income-eligible undocumented children up to age 12, and this will extend to age 15 starting in July 2024. Vermont created the Immigrant Health Insurance Plan in 2022, providing health coverage to children under 19 and pregnant women who are not eligible for Medicaid due to their immigration status. Colorado will provide Medicaid coverage to undocumented pregnant people and children based on income starting in 2025.
California became the first state to offer full health insurance to undocumented immigrants of all ages through its Medi-Cal program, which provides free dental, vision, specialist appointments, mental health care, substance use disorder services, prescription drugs, and in-home care if they meet income limits. However, many undocumented immigrants in California remain uninsured due to enrollment barriers, including language and literacy challenges and confusion about eligibility policies.
Undocumented immigrants can also purchase individual (non-group) plans off-exchange, and they have the option to enroll in student health plans. These plans do not require proof of legal immigration status.
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California offers health insurance to eligible undocumented adults
Undocumented immigrants in the US face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. They are more likely to be uninsured than citizens due to limited access to private coverage, eligibility restrictions for federally funded coverage options, and enrollment barriers such as confusion, language access challenges, and immigration-related fears.
However, California has taken steps to address this issue by offering health insurance to eligible undocumented adults. In 2024, California expanded health insurance coverage to all eligible undocumented adults, allowing them to enroll in health insurance "in a manner as substantially similar to other Californians as feasible" while adhering to federal rules. This expansion built upon previous efforts, such as a 2015 law that made undocumented children eligible for state insurance. The state's Full-scope Medi-Cal program offers primary and preventive care, specialist services, pharmaceuticals, and other wraparound services to those who qualify, regardless of their immigration status. The program does not share immigration information with federal authorities, and enrolling does not affect an individual's chances of pursuing legal residency.
The expansion of health insurance coverage to undocumented adults in California has been praised for improving access to affordable, high-level care and reducing financial burdens on families. However, there is also pressure to reduce coverage due to the high costs associated with providing state-sponsored healthcare to undocumented immigrants, which have exceeded budget estimates.
While California has led the way in offering health insurance to undocumented immigrants, other states have also made efforts to extend coverage. For example, Oregon removed age limitations on offering Medicaid health insurance to undocumented residents in 2023, and Vermont created the Immigrant Health Insurance Plan in 2022, providing coverage to children and pregnant women regardless of their immigration status. These initiatives aim to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their legal status, have access to necessary healthcare services.
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Frequently asked questions
Undocumented immigrants face significant barriers to accessing health coverage and are more likely to be uninsured than citizens. However, as of April 2025, 14 states and Washington, D.C., provide fully state-funded coverage for income-eligible children regardless of immigration status, and seven states and Washington, D.C., provide coverage to some income-eligible adults. California is the first state to offer health insurance to all eligible undocumented adults, and undocumented immigrants in the state can qualify for Medi-Cal, regardless of their immigration status.
Noncitizen immigrants have higher uninsured rates because they have more limited access to private coverage. They also face eligibility restrictions for federally funded coverage options, including Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Even when eligible for coverage, undocumented immigrants face a range of enrollment barriers, including fear, confusion about eligibility rules, and language access challenges.
Research shows that having insurance makes a difference in whether and when people access needed care. Those who are uninsured often delay or go without needed care, which can lead to worse health outcomes over the long term.
