Most lawfully present immigrants who meet Medicaid and CHIP program requirements, such as income and state residency, can enroll in Medicaid or CHIP after they have been in the United States with qualified status for 5 years or more. A list of “qualified statuses” can be found here.

Most lawfully present immigrants can buy health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. This group includes lawfully present immigrants who cannot enroll in Medicaid based on immigration status, for example, because they are in the five-year waiting period for Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

Lawfully present immigrants can get tax credits to help pay premiums and cost-sharing for health insurance through the Marketplaces. Like citizens, they can get premium tax credits that vary on a sliding scale, based on income.

Citizens and lawfully present family members can get health insurance coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplaces even if other family members are not lawfully present. Family members who are not lawfully present, including undocumented immigrants, may apply for health insurance for citizens and lawfully present family members.