Newcomers to the United States are often confused by the patchwork of different healthcare and health insurance options available. From employer-provided insurance, to public plans, to coverage that’s purchased privately — the U.S. health insurance landscape is overwhelming. In this article, we’re breaking down Obamacare for immigrants to let you know if you’re eligible.
People living in the United States are familiar with the ongoing healthcare debate. This has been a public policy issue for decades and is regularly one of the most central issues during political campaigns. In these debates, people ask questions like:
- How much should ordinary Americans be expected to pay for their own healthcare costs?
- How important is health insurance?
- Can states dictate what is covered under their public health insurance programs?
- Should health insurance plans under Obamacare be for immigrants as well as citizens?
While the United States has made great strides in ensuring fewer people are uninsured and vulnerable to healthcare emergencies, there is still a long way to go. The landscape of health insurance in the United States can be very confusing, especially if you are a newcomer.
To make things easier, we’re here to answer your questions about which health insurance plans are available to immigrants moving to the United States. This includes information on publicly funded plans as well as other health insurance plans available through the ACA marketplace, which is frequently called ‘Obamacare’.
What is Obamacare?
Obamacare is a nickname for a critical piece of legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23rd, 2010. The law was known formally as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) but is also called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare.
The law itself was a huge piece of legislation, but it had three central goals:
- Make healthcare affordable for more people. The ACA did this by providing tax credits (also called subsidies) that lowered costs for lower-income households.
- Expand Medicaid, a program designed to support the health care needs of the lowest-income Americans, as well as those with some long-term disabilities. Currently, 39 states have expanded their state Medicaid program, while 12 have not.
- Support new and innovative healthcare delivery methods designed to lower healthcare costs.
The term ‘Obamacare’ can be confusing because many people who are unfamiliar with the law think that it is a specific type of health insurance. Instead, the phrase encompasses many different ACA-compliant healthcare plans that are available through each state’s ACA marketplace.
What Does Obamacare Cover?
Regardless of what plan you choose, any plan you purchase through the ACA or Obamacare marketplace must cover a set of non-negotiable essential benefits. These include:
1. Outpatient care
2. Emergency services
3. Hospitalization
4. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care for mothers and babies
5. Mental health and substance use disorder services
6. Prescription drugs
7. Rehabilitation services and devices
8. Laboratory services
9. Preventative and routine care, as well as chronic disease management
10. Pediatric services (including oral and vision care for children)
11. Birth control
12. Breastfeeding support
These are minimum requirements, and many plans offer much more in terms of their coverage.
How You Can Sign Up for Obamacare
One of the most significant changes that the passing of the ACA brought to the United States was the creation of state-run health insurance marketplace websites. These sites are simple and straightforward to use. Some states run their own, while others use the federally run Healthcare.gov.
First, check here to see whether you need to use the main Healthcare.gov site or whether your state has its own ACA marketplace.
Then, you’ll be asked to input various demographic details about yourself and anyone else you want to cover, like children or other dependents. These details may include:
- Zip code
- Age
- Income
From there, you can look through various coverage options and find the one that best suits your needs.
It’s important to note that even if you qualify for an ACA marketplace plan, you may not be able to log in and enroll or switch your plan at any time. There is a yearly open enrollment period between November 1st and January 15th in most states, which is the only opportunity you will have to make a change unless you have a qualifying life event.
If you have a qualifying life event, you can enroll at any time, and your coverage will take effect on the first day of the following month. These life events include, but are not limited to:
- Losing health coverage
- Unemployment
- Changes in income
- Having a baby
- Getting married
- Adopting a child
Who is Eligible for Obamacare?
Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for plans available under Obamacare. Here is a breakdown of how you should plan for your healthcare needs in the United States based on your visa or immigration status.
Are tourists or visitors to the USA eligible for Obamacare?
Tourists and visitors to the United States (individuals entering on a B1 or B2 visa) who are only in the country temporarily are not eligible for Obamacare. If you are traveling to the United States, you should secure private health insurance through a travel insurance company.
Are H1B visa holders eligible for Obamacare?
If you are arriving into the United States on an H1B visa or another type of work visa such as an L1 or O1, you will not be immediately eligible for an Obamacare health insurance plan. Once you have filed your first tax return and can demonstrate that you are a resident alien for tax purposes, you will be allowed to enroll in an ACA marketplace plan.
In the interim, check with your employer to see if you are eligible to join their group insurance plan. If not, you should obtain private health insurance to cover the months before you can establish residency.
Are green card holders eligible for Obamacare?
Since green card holders are lawful permanent residents of the United States, they are eligible to get health insurance from the ACA marketplace.
Are international students eligible for Obamacare?
There are some international students that are eligible for ACA marketplace plans and some that are not. It depends on various factors, including your visa category, how many years you’ve been living and attending school in the United States, and your school policies on health insurance.
If you are living in the United States long enough to file taxes, generally you can expect to be able to purchase a health insurance plan on your state’s ACA marketplace. This makes you a resident alien for tax purposes, which means that you generally meet the residency requirement for Obamacare.
If you are not filing taxes in the United States, it’s likely simpler to stick with a short-term private health insurance plan. You may also be able to enroll in a group plan through your school.
For more details, research the requirements of your visa category. If you still have questions, it may be worth consulting an immigration specialist to get their advice.
Are asylum seekers and refugees eligible for Obamacare?
If you have entered the United States on a refugee or asylum-seeker visa, you are likely eligible to enroll in a plan through the ACA marketplace. Unlike some other immigration categories, refugees and asylum seekers are eligible for this coverage immediately.
Find the Right Health Insurance for Your Needs
While enrolling in a plan through the Obamacare ACA marketplace may seem complex, it’s much simpler than it looks. However, if you are unable to register, be sure to purchase private health insurance that can cover you in the interim.
These plans may not be as extensive as ACA-compliant insurance plans, but they’ll protect you in the event of an accident or injury and make it easier for you to seek care without paying out of pocket.
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