What Immigrants Need to Know About the New Medicaid Eligibility Restrictions

Starting October 1, 2026, many immigrants across the country, including refugees, recipients of asylum, and survivors of domestic violence, will lose access to federally funded Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program health coverage. Last year, Congress enacted changes that will lead to significant health inequities and financial insecurity for those immigrant families who had long been eligible.

The law did not change preexisting state options to cover children and pregnant immigrants and states can still receive federally matched funding for these populations.

People who are affected should expect to receive notices about changes to their Medicaid and CHIP benefits and may be asked by their Medicaid agency to provide additional information to verify whether they continue to be eligible.

Which categories of immigrants are losing Medicaid and CHIP eligibility?

The new law significantly narrows the categories of immigrants who can qualify for federally funded Medicaid. Because the changes are complex, families should not assume they are no longer eligible based solely on their immigration status.

Immigrants who will lose Medicaid and CHIP eligibility include:

• Refugees, asylees and people granted withholding of removal/deportation
• Survivors of domestic violence who are self-petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act
• Certain survivors of trafficking and their family members (T visa holders)
• People granted humanitarian parole that is expected to last one year or longer
• Certain Afghan and Ukrainian parolees

Immigrants who remain eligible include:

• Lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) who have satisfied any required waiting periods
• Cuban and Haitian entrants
• Citizens of the Freely Associated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau residing in the United States

Lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) who formerly had refugee, asylum, or another exempt status do not need to wait five years before becoming eligible for Medicaid.

What should immigrants expect from their state Medicaid agency?

States are still working through implementing these new restrictions. As a result, eligible immigrants may receive requests for information or notices that require prompt attention in the coming days and weeks.

Immigrants should be prepared to:

• Watch carefully for mail, email, text messages, or online account notices from their state Medicaid agency or managed care organization.
• Respond promptly to requests for documentation or verification.
• Review any termination or eligibility notices closely to determine the reason for the action.

If a Medicaid agency incorrectly believes that you have an ineligible immigration status, you can attest that you are actually eligible and can continue coverage for 90 days while you provide documentation of your immigration status or U.S. citizenship. Medicaid recipients can appeal eligibility decisions if the agency makes a mistake.

Families can also seek legal assistance or help from a trusted navigator, health enrollment assister, or community organization if they believe a decision is incorrect. Medicaid agencies are also required to provide in-language assistance, typically through their hotlines, for people with limited English proficiency.

Will some immigrants in impacted categories still qualify for Medicaid?

Several states have invested state funds to expand health coverage for people regardless of their immigration status or to provide coverage to categories of immigrants who do not qualify for federally funded Medicaid. A detailed list is available here.

Some immigrants may remain eligible because they are:

• Pregnant and living in a state that provides coverage to lawfully residing pregnant immigrants or that offers prenatal care regardless of immigration status
• Children living in a state that covers lawfully residing children through Medicaid or CHIP

Do health care options still exist if you’re no longer eligible for Medicaid?

Yes. Losing Medicaid coverage does not mean that you should stop seeking medical care.

Depending on where you live, options may include:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers, which provide primary and preventive care regardless of immigration status and offer sliding-scale fees based on income
• Hospital charity care and financial assistance programs, which may reduce or eliminate medical bills for eligible patients
• Local public health programs, which provide vaccinations or treatments for various diseases at no cost and without immigration restrictions

Can Congress repeal these harmful restrictions?

Yes! And Congress should. These Medicaid restrictions will make it harder for many immigrant families to access preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and obtain treatment when they need it. The consequences will affect health care providers, who will lose long-time patients, and hospitals, which will see more people coming to the emergency room with no insurance. Entire communities throughout the United States will be harmed when parents and employees avoid unaffordable but necessary medical care, resulting in worsening health conditions and making it harder to work and take care of their children.

Over the coming months, advocates, health care providers, and community organizations will continue helping families navigate these changes. For immigrants potentially affected by the new law, the most important steps are to stay informed, watch for communications from state agencies, and seek trusted assistance before assuming that coverage has ended or that no alternatives remain available.