Protect Your Familys Health...with Confidence
A Guide
for Families with Concerns About Immigration Status
How
to Enroll > Common Questions
> Dictionary
Get Health
Insurance You Can Afford
Health
insurance may be expensive for some hard-working families. But
now many families can get low-cost or free health insurance
for their babies, children, and teenagers.
Across
the United States, each state has a childrens health insurance
program to make health care more affordable for working families.
Each state also has a Medicaid program that provides free health
coverage to children from low-income families. These programs
typically cover the cost of many health services for children,
including vaccinations, regular doctor visits and prescriptions.
Immigration
Status and Participation in Medicaid and Your State's Health
Insurance Program for Children
Sometimes
parents are afraid to get health care benefits from the government
for their children. They may be applying for lawful permanent
residence ("green card"), citizenship, or work authorization,
and think their immigration status will be affected if they
apply for health insurance for their children.
But, did
you know that eligible children can receive free or low-cost
health care services without affecting their parents' immigration
status?
Immigration
officials will not consider your child's enrollment in health
insurance through the State Children's Health Insurance Program
or Medicaid, in determining your immigration status. The only
exception is when the government pays for a child to live in
an institution, such as a mental health facility or a nursing
home, where the child is provided long-term care.
Here are
some of the benefits your children will receive by enrolling
them in your state's health insurance program:
Health care,
such as:
- Routine
doctor visits for checkups
- Vaccinations,
and other regular services
- Hospital
care in case of serious illness
- Prescriptions
Be aware
that there are a few limitations on using public benefits:
For example,
if you do NOT have a green card yet, it might affect your chances
to get a green card if:
- You or
your child uses cash assistance, such as Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
and General Assistance (GA)
- If your
family's only source of support is government cash assistance
that your children or other family members receive;
If the government pays for you or your child to live in an
institution, such as a mental health facility or nursing home,
where you or your child is provided long-term care OR
- If you
made misrepresentations or committed fraud in obtaining public
benefits.
How
to Enroll > Common Questions
> Dictionary
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