Frequently Asked Questions About Immigrant Eligibility for Public Health Insurance

What public health insurance programs are available in New York State? In New York State, many public health insurance programs are available to immigrants. Each program has its own rules about immigration status, age, income and resources. Medicaid (for all ages), Child Health Plus (for those younger than 19) and Family Health Plus (for adults aged 19 to 64) provide comprehensive health coverage for low-income New York State residents. Pregnant women can enroll in Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP). Family planning services are available through the Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP) and the Family Planning Extension Program (FPEP). Emergency Medicaid is available to cover emergency medical care. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) pays for medications and medical care for individuals who are HIV-positive. For information about the public health insurance programs, see the previous section of the guide. Immigration requirements are covered below. I am an undocumented immigrant. Am I eligible for any public health insurance programs? Yes. All immigrants who are residents of New York State are eligible for Child Health Plus, Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP), Family Planning Extension Program (FPEP), AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and Emergency Medicaid. Each program has its own rules about age, income and resources. I am an immigrant who recently came to the country. Am I eligible for Medicaid or Family Health Plus? All legal immigrants who are residents of New York State and who meet the eligibility requirements, such as income, are permitted to use these programs, regardless of when they entered the country. Generally, only undocumented immigrants and non-immigrants (temporary business, student, medical and tourist visa holders) are not eligible for Family Health Plus or Medicaid, except in emergencies. The following categories of immigrants are eligible for Medicaid and Family Health Plus, as well as the State’s other health insurance programs (Child Health Plus, Prenatal Care Assistance Program, Family Planning Extension Program, AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the Family Planning Benefit Program): Naturalized U.S. Citizens; Immigrants in the U.S. because of persecution or other problems in their home country, including: Refugees, Asylees, Amerasians, Cuban/Haitian entrants, conditional entrants, victims of trafficking, and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS); Lawful permanent residents (LPR); VAWA Self-Petitioners (spouses and children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, who have been battered or abused); Immigrants who have been granted suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal; Registry immigrants (immigrants who can show they have been continuously residing in the U.S. since January 1, 1972); Individuals paroled into the U.S. whose period of parole has not expired; *******Certain Native Americans born in Canada, and certain individuals from territories with special relationships to the U.S.; *******Armed forces veterans and those on active duty and their immediate family members. In addition, certain immigrants who the New York State Department of Health considers to be Permanently Residing Under Color of Law (PRUCOL) are also eligible for public insurance programs. PRUCOL is an eligibility category for public benefits; PRUCOL is not an immigration status granted by the USCIS/INS. The PRUCOL category includes individuals who have permission from the USCIS/INS to stay in the U.S. for an indefinite period of time, or who have filed paperwork with the USCIS/INS to remain in the U.S. permanently and who have not been denied permission to do so. For the purposes of eligibility for health insurance programs in New York State, PRUCOL immigrants include: Applicants for any of the following: lawful permanent residence, asylum or cancellation of removal; or Applicants for, or holders of, the K3, K4, S, U, or V visas; Persons who have been granted deferred action, an order of supervision, or a stay of deportation; and Individuals who have proof that they are here indefinitely with the knowledge and/or permission of USCIS/INS. What types of immigration documents can I use when I apply for these programs? Proof of immigration status is required in order to enroll in Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Family Planning Benefit Program. Permanent resident or “green” cards are evidence of lawful permanent residence. Employment Authorization cards (I-688B or I-766), or a white Arrival/Departure Card (I-94) have codes that can be used as evidence that you are in one of the eligible immigration status listed above. In addition, correspondence with USCIS/INS showing that you have a petition pending for permanent residence, or a notice from USCIS showing that they received an application or petition on your behalf for permission to stay in the U.S., may also be sufficient evidence that you are in a PRUCOL status for public health insurance. Examples include notices from USCIS/INS, cancelled checks to USCIS/INS, copies of applications submitted for permanent residence and postal return receipts showing that USCIS/INS received your correspondence. Do I need a Social Security Number (SSN) to apply for these health programs? A Social Security Number is not required for Child Health Plus, Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP), and Emergency Medicaid. Applicants for Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Family Planning Benefit Program must provide an SSN, if they have one. If you are eligible for Medicaid and Family Health Plus, and do not have an SSN, you may be asked by the social services office or Medicaid office to apply for an SSN. The application for Medicaid and Family Health Plus should be processed once you provide proof to social services or Medicaid that you have tried to apply for an SSN, even if the Social Security Office told you that you could not apply for or receive an SSN. If you do not have proof from the Social Security Office, you may have to fill out a form that explains that you tried to get an SSN.