Can I get health insurance as a non-U.S. citizen?

Yes, non-U.S. citizens can get health insurance in the United States, but your options depend heavily on your specific immigration status.

Lawfully Present Immigrants

If you live in the U.S. with a valid visa, green card (Lawful Permanent Resident), or another qualifying immigration status, you have robust options:

• Health Insurance Marketplace: You can buy Obamacare plans on HealthCare.gov and may qualify for tax credits to lower your costs.
• Employer-Sponsored Coverage: If your job offers health insurance, this is often the easiest and most comprehensive path.
• Medicaid and CHIP: Qualified non-citizens often face a 5-year waiting period, though exceptions exist for refugees, asylees, and pregnant individuals or children in many states.

Undocumented Non-Citizens

If you do not have a lawful immigration status, federal rules restrict your access to major public programs, but local options exist:

• Emergency Care: Federal law requires emergency rooms to screen and treat life-threatening conditions regardless of your legal status or ability to pay. Emergency Medicaid may cover these costs.
• State and Local Programs: Some states and cities (such as New York City via NYC Care) offer low-cost or sliding-scale local public health options and certain state-funded insurance plans.
• Community Health Centers: Federally Qualified Health Centers provide primary care on a sliding fee scale regardless of status.

Visitors and New Arrivals

• Short-Term/Visitor Plans: If you are visiting temporarily or bridging a gap before getting permanent coverage, private international or New Immigrant Insurance plans can cover medical emergencies.

No, undocumented immigrants cannot get free health insurance from the federal government.

Federal Rules

• No Federal Programs: Undocumented immigrants cannot enroll in federal programs like Medicaid, Medicare, or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• No Marketplace Access: They cannot buy health plans or get financial help through the HealthCare.gov Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
• Emergency Care Only: Federal law requires hospitals to treat life-threatening medical emergencies, including labor and delivery, through Emergency Medicaid or EMTALA, regardless of immigration status.

State and Local Programs

• State-Funded Options: Some states use their own state money (not federal funds) to offer health coverage or low-cost insurance options to certain low-income undocumented residents, especially children or pregnant individuals.
• Community Health Centers: Undocumented individuals can receive low-cost or free basic care at Federally Qualified Health Centers and community or free clinics.

The cost of health insurance for foreigners in the USA varies dramatically depending on your visa status, length of stay, age, and the type of coverage you select. Because the U.S. healthcare system does not provide free public care to visitors, premiums range from $20 per month for basic tourist plans to over $1,000 per month for long-term resident expatriates.

To understand what you will pay, find the category below that matches your situation:

1. Short-Term Visitors and Tourists (B1/B2 Visas, ESTA)

If you are visiting for less than a year, you will use Visitor/Travel Medical Insurance. Plans are split into two categories:

• Fixed Benefit Plans (Cheaper, Limited): These cost $20 to $190 per month. They are highly affordable but only pay a fixed, pre-determined amount per medical procedure, leaving you to pay the remaining balance.
• Comprehensive Plans (Recommended): These cost $58 to $470+ per month. They behave like standard insurance, typically covering 80% to 100% of your expenses after you meet your deductible.

Note: For parents or older relatives visiting the U.S., plans that cover the "acute onset of pre-existing conditions" will sit on the higher end of these estimates.

2. Long-Term Expats and Digital Nomads

If you are relocating to the U.S. but do not have access to an employer-sponsored health plan, you will need an International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) policy from global providers like Cigna Global or William Russell.

• Individual Average: $500 to $1,000+ per month ($6,000 to $12,000+ annually).
• Family Average: $1,300 to $2,500+ per month.
• Why so expensive? These function like domestic U.S. insurance policies, covering routine checkups, mental health, prescriptions, and chronic care.

3. New Immigrants and Green Card Holders

If you are moving to the U.S. permanently, you are legally present and can buy local insurance on the federal ACA Marketplace (Obamacare).

• Without Government Subsidies: A standard "Silver Tier" plan averages around $625 per month.
• With Government Subsidies: If your income falls within certain ranges, the government may subsidize your plan, lowering your premium to under $100 per month.
• Transition Note: New immigrants often buy "Immigrant Insurance" for $19 to $53+ per month to cover their first few weeks while waiting for their marketplace or employer insurance to kick in.

4. International Students (F-1/J-1 Visas)

Most American universities mandate specific health insurance coverage.

• University Plans: Schools usually offer their own plans, which average $1,500 to $3,500 per year ($125 to $300/month).
• Independent Student Plans: If your university allows you to "waive" their plan, you can purchase cheaper, compliant student insurance from specialized providers starting around $40 to $100 per month.

Key Factors That Will Change Your Price

1. Deductible: Choosing a higher deductible (the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance starts paying) lowers your monthly cost.
2. Policy Maximum: A policy cap of $50,000 will be much cheaper than a cap of $1,000,000—though a $1,000,000 cap is safer given U.S. healthcare costs.
3. PPO Networks: Ensure your plan utilizes a major U.S. network (such as UnitedHealthcare or First Health) so you pay discounted network rates at the doctor.

Yes, you can get health insurance without a Social Security Number (SSN) through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace or through private and alternative coverage options.

ACA Marketplace Options

• Lawfully Present: You can apply on the HealthCare.gov Marketplace without an SSN if you are lawfully present in the U.S. and do not qualify for an SSN.
• Application Steps: Leave the SSN field blank or select the option stating that you do not have an SSN and provide alternative proof of legal status, such as a visa or green card document number.
• Subsidies: Lawfully present individuals without an SSN can still qualify for financial help and subsidies using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or eligible immigration documents.

Alternative Coverage Options

• International Student Plans: Specialized plans from providers like ISO or IMG require only a passport and an F-1 or J-1 visa document.
• Visitor Medical Insurance: Travel or short-term medical plans are available for non-residents without citizenship or an SSN.
• Discount Health Plans: Non-insurance medical discount programs provide access to primary and urgent care without federal ID requirements, though they do not offer government subsidies.

No, green card holders (lawful permanent residents) are not losing their Medicaid coverage under the new federal eligibility restrictions.

Impact of the New Medicaid Rules

• Exempt Status: Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) that took effect on October 1, 2026, valid green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants retain their eligibility for federally funded Medicaid.
• Affected Groups: The law terminates Medicaid eligibility for other categories of lawfully present immigrants who do not have a green card, such as refugees, asylees without permanent residency, and humanitarian parolees.
• Pending Applications: Individuals who only have a pending green card application—and have not yet received final approval—are losing their federally funded Medicaid benefits under the updated rules.
• Exceptions: Pregnant individuals and children under age 19 who are lawfully residing in the U.S. remain protected under existing state options and federal matching funds, regardless of whether they hold a permanent green card.