Federally funded Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is available to otherwise-eligible “qualified” immigrants who entered the U.S. before August 22, 1996, and those who have held a “qualified” status for five years or longer. Refugees and other “humanitarian” immigrants, veterans, active duty military and their spouses and children, and certain other immigrants can get Medicaid or CHIP without a five-year waiting period.
The table describes state policies for providing health coverage to additional groups of immigrants, under federal options to cover lawfully residing children and pregnant women, regardless of their date of entry into the U.S., or to provide prenatal care to women regardless of immigration status, using CHIP funds. It also describes immigrant coverage under programs using exclusively state funds.
The information in this table is subject to change. Please check with your state or local health care agency or legal assistance office regarding the most current rules. If you have updated information, please contact Tanya Broder, National Immigration Law Center.
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