A simple guide to the Affordable Care Act for immigrants

Generally I wouldn't give a TL;DR to my own article, but in this case it's not particularly surprising. TL;DR: DREAMers like us are excluded.

But please do click through to read my article.

A Simple Guide To The Affordable Care Act For Immigrants

Depending on their legal status, uninsured immigrants will have access to new health care marketplaces starting Tuesday under the Affordable Care Act, which is more commonly known as Obamacare. Almost 20 percent of the total non-elderly, uninsured population are immigrants.

Although the Obama administration is attempting to reach out to as many uninsured individuals as legally possible, some immigrants will remain completely excluded while other immigrants still face eligibility restrictions for health coverage. To navigate through the varying degrees of access, here is a simple breakdown of the type of immigrants who qualify for enrollment:

Naturalized citizens and legal permanent residents who have lived here for more than five years. For naturalized citizens and green card holders who have been in the country for five years or more, they will be able to enroll in the health care program just like U.S.-born citizens. These immigrants will also qualify for Medicaid, which is income-dependent. Medicaid coverage is available to people under the age of 65 who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line.

Legal permanent residents who have lived here for less than five years. Legal permanent residents with incomes up to 400 percent below the federal poverty level can qualify for subsidized health care coverage. Those who have been in the country less than five years do not qualify for Medicaid.

Refugees, asylees, immigrants exempt on humanitarian grounds. All of these individuals qualify for health insurance coverage and Medicaid, even if they have lived in the United States for less than five years.

Palau, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia residents. Under a special compact, the United States considers individuals from these three United Nations trust territories to be non-citizens who do not receive federal benefits. They do however qualify for marketplace coverage. They do not qualify for Medicaid.

Read more here: http://thinkprogress.org/immigration...ypes-coverage/

Do visitors on B1/B2 status qualify for the insurance coverage?

Do temporary workers on work visa qualify for the insurance coverage?

Do international students on student visa qualify for the insurance coverage?

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Since we won't be eligible for any type of coverage, does that mean we will have to pay that penalty fee?

I understand if I am not able to get a subsidy or any other government assistance. But if I am willing to pay out of my own pocket to buy health insurance, am I not allowed to do so?

Do they also operate like the DMV where they ask you relevant documents to prove your citizenship/immigrant status?

You can still buy private health insurance.

You should add a section for TPS beneficiaries. Otherwise good work.

You can still buy private health insurance.

You should add a section for TPS beneficiaries. Otherwise good work.

Esther, don't self-plagiarize! haha

You can also get coverage through your employer if you are a daca person

too good

you said right