Jane Dotson
If you are in the United States and do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you can still apply for health insurance. You are not required to have a U.S. citizenship, lawful immigration status, or an SSN to receive health care services under federal law. In fact, government workers, enrollment assistants, and insurance application helpers are required by law to keep your information private and secure. If you are applying for insurance for someone else, such as your child, you do not have to provide your immigration status or SSN. If you are applying for insurance for yourself, you may be required to provide your SSN if you have one. If you are eligible for an SSN but do not have one, you must apply for one, and the insurance agency must offer to help you apply. You cannot be denied coverage while your SSN application is being processed.
How to get medical insurance without a social security number
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lawful presence in the US | You can apply for health insurance without a Social Security Number (SSN) as long as you are lawfully present in the US. |
| Lawful immigration status | You are not required to have a lawful immigration status to receive health care services under federal law. |
| Privacy and security | Government workers, enrollment assisters, and people who help with insurance applications are required by law to keep your information private and secure. |
| No SSN required for children | Parents who apply for Medicaid or CHIP for their children do not have to provide an SSN. |
| No delays or denials due to lack of SSN | Your health insurance application may not be delayed or denied because you don't have an SSN. Only people with a valid SSN are required to provide one. |
| Language assistance | You have the right to receive language assistance services at no cost when applying for health insurance or seeking health care. |
| Emergency medical services | Hospitals with emergency rooms must screen and treat you regardless of your immigration status, ability to pay, or insurance coverage. |
| Primary and preventive health care | You can seek primary and preventive health care at community health centers regardless of your immigration status, ability to pay, or insurance coverage. |
| Alternative insurance plans | There are insurance plans available that provide coverage for new medical issues even if you don't have an SSN. |
| State-specific requirements | In certain states (California, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington), you need to apply over the phone if you don't have an SSN. |
| Certificate of coverage | If you are working in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you can apply for a certificate of coverage confirming you do not need to pay social security contributions in that country. |
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What You'll Learn
- You can apply for health insurance without an SSN if you're lawfully present in the US
- You can use your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN
- If you're in the US, you can contact companies like Stride Health or Latorre Insurance for assistance
- If you're in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you can apply for a certificate of coverage
- If you need emergency medical services, hospitals are required to treat you regardless of your immigration status
You can apply for health insurance without an SSN if you're lawfully present in the US
If you are lawfully present in the US, you can apply for health insurance without a Social Security Number (SSN). This is also true for any family members on your plan who have lawful immigration status. However, if you or your family members do not have an SSN, you will need to provide appropriate documentation within 90 days of applying.
When applying for health insurance, you will need to declare that you do not have an SSN. If you are applying in California, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington, you will need to apply over the phone. If you live in California, you can contact Covered California at (800) 300-1506 for assistance.
It is important to note that you have the right to receive health care services regardless of your immigration status or whether you have an SSN. Hospitals with emergency rooms are required to screen and treat you if you need emergency medical services. Additionally, you can seek primary and preventive health care at community health centers, regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Some states require hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status, but you do not have to provide this information, and they cannot refuse to treat you because of this.
While you can apply for health insurance without an SSN, some insurance providers will not provide health insurance to people without one. Therefore, it is essential to check with the specific insurance provider you are interested in to understand their requirements and eligibility criteria.
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You can use your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN
If you don't have a Social Security number (SSN), you can still apply for health insurance as long as you are lawfully present. You can use your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN. This is because most insurance plans are more focused on your current residence than your SSN. However, you must submit proof that you live in the state.
If you are applying for health insurance in California, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Vermont, DC, or any other state, you will need to apply over the phone. You can contact the exchange by phone and provide your ITIN, passport, and visa/green card number. If you live in California, you can also contact Covered California at (800) 300-1506 for assistance.
If you are an immigrant, certain immigration statuses may qualify you for coverage through the Marketplace. You can also consider other options, such as plans that provide coverage for new medical issues. Make sure to go over the policy details with your agent, as some plans may have exclusions.
It is important to note that if you or a family member does not provide an SSN on your application, you will need to provide appropriate documentation within 90 days.
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If you're in the US, you can contact companies like Stride Health or Latorre Insurance for assistance
Stride Health
Stride Health is an official partner of HealthCare.gov and offers a range of health insurance plans, including comprehensive health, vision, dental, and life insurance. They provide simplified access to affordable insurance and personalized coverage recommendations. They also assist individuals in finding the lowest prices on health insurance and offer unbiased customer support. If you're applying in California, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington, you'll need to apply over the phone with Stride to enrol in health insurance if you or a family member does not have an SSN.
Latorre Insurance
Latorre Insurance is a licensed independent insurance brokerage serving North and South Carolina, with offices in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh. They specialize in helping clients navigate obtaining health insurance without an SSN. They can assist with changes in immigration status, address, or employer coverage. They also offer customized insurance solutions, including universal life, whole life, and disability insurance.
Both Stride Health and Latorre Insurance are knowledgeable and experienced in helping individuals obtain medical insurance, even if they don't have an SSN. They can guide you through the process and find the best options for your specific needs.
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If you're in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you can apply for a certificate of coverage
If you are a UK citizen and plan to work in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you can apply for a certificate of coverage (also referred to as a PDA1) from HMRC. This certificate serves as proof that you are exempt from paying social security contributions in the country you will be working in. It is important to note that you will generally be required to pay social security contributions in the country you are employed in, and the certificate of coverage ensures you are only paying into one country's social security system at a time.
To apply for the certificate of coverage, you or your employer must meet certain criteria. If you are employed in the UK and your employer typically operates in the UK, and you will be working temporarily in one of the aforementioned countries for up to two years, your employer must either send you or agree for you to work there temporarily. Alternatively, if you are self-employed in the UK and will be carrying out similar work temporarily in one of those countries for up to two years, you can apply for the certificate yourself.
In addition, if you have dependents who live in one of the specified countries and you work there at least part of the time, you can apply for a certificate of coverage. This also applies if you or your dependents are on or will soon be on maternity, paternity, or adoption leave and will reside in one of those countries during this period, provided that you previously lived and worked in the UK.
It is important to note that the certificate of coverage is not a substitute for a work permit. If you are a UK citizen, you will typically need a work permit to work in most of these countries. Be sure to check with the UK-based embassy of your intended country of work to understand their specific requirements.
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If you need emergency medical services, hospitals are required to treat you regardless of your immigration status
If you need emergency medical services, hospitals are required to treat you, regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay. This is due to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which ensures that hospitals that receive Medicaid funding cannot refuse to treat patients requiring emergency care. Under EMTALA, hospitals are also not allowed to transfer patients to another hospital until their condition is stable.
However, it is important to note that EMTALA only applies to emergency medical conditions, which include situations that meet the federal guidelines of what counts as an emergency, such as being in labour. Non-emergency cases, such as minor illnesses or injuries, may result in the hospital choosing to transfer or discharge the patient once their immediate condition is stabilized.
While hospitals are required to provide emergency treatment, patients without insurance will be billed for all medical services received, including doctor fees, hospital and medical costs, and specialist payments. These costs can be significantly higher than those with insurance, who typically have a portion of their medical services covered by their insurer.
If you are unable to pay your medical bills, there are a few options available. Hospitals may offer charity care, also known as community or indigent care, where they do not charge a patient due to their financial situation. Additionally, patients can negotiate hospital bills and often receive discounts. Urgent care centres, which are typically nurse practitioners rather than physicians, offer lower-cost treatment for non-emergency situations and may be a more affordable option.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can apply for medical insurance without an SSN. If you are lawfully present in the US, you can apply for health insurance without an SSN. You may be able to use your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead.
No, parents who apply for insurance for their children do not need to provide an SSN.
Yes, you can get insurance as an immigrant. You have the right to receive healthcare services regardless of your immigration status under federal law.
Yes, you do not need to be a US citizen to get insurance. You can apply for insurance without providing your citizenship or immigration status.
If you are applying for insurance in California, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington, you can apply over the phone with Stride. You can also explore alternative insurance plans outside of the Marketplace, as most of these do not require an SSN.
