Insurance for Undocumented family
 

Hello,

I have a 50 something undocumented relative who needs health insurance. I believe undocumented individuals can obtain private health insurance, but I don't know how to go about finding the plans. But even if I could find the health insurance, they usually ask for some sort of ID to sign up for the plan and you need to present an ID with your insurance card when going to the doctor's office. How do I bypass that?

This person needs health care badly, so any advice would be appreciated

Relative is in TX

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

The thing is, unfortunately undocumented are not eligible for insurance through the marketplace (Obamacare) and obviously they don't have jobs at employers so they can't get insurance that way. The other option then becomes getting it from the private market as you mentioned, but that would be extremely expensive.

I would try to get help from the following people on this:

https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/h...insurance.html
https://www.texashealth.org/en/About...s-and-Advocacy

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

hospitals usually have "charity care" programs. this is x amount of dollars they must give to maintain non profit status.

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

covid has hit the hospitals hard and they are basically at their limits. I'm willing to pay the larger privatized health insurance price, but I just need to find places that will take her without the red tape.

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

best way is probably to call a health insurance broker and explain the situation. They have more access to search for particular plans.

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

Also passport should work to meet the ID

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

The passport is expired years ago, I'm not sure if that works.

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

Have you tried

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

Extensively, I had signed up for insurance that took her through a broker, had to let to go because the coverage was not enough and I still ended up paying out of pocket for most things. But even with insurance we were turned away at specialist offices because the passport was not up to date and the office staff refused to take it. She could only go to a doctor (family friend) who knew of our situation, but she's getting older and her ailments are beyond a basic GP.

Re: Insurance for Undocumented family
 

My mom had blueshield of California. I’m sure there is a blue shield in TX. She didn’t qualify for any assistance so the entire premium came out of her own pocket. She got PPO coverage which helped her get exams, and a two surgeries she needed. She applied during last years open enrollment. They approved her on the spot they did not asked for any ID. It was a very good insurance just very expensive 680 per month. And a high deductible 6900. But she got it and it really helped her for the surgeries she needed.