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Can you get health insurance while waiting for a green card?
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Explore More Quick facts:
- Yes, you can get temporary health insurance while waiting for your green card, like visitor insurance plans.
- As a visitor in the U.S., you are not eligible for Obamacare until obtaining your green card.
- Green card holders can purchase Obamacare plans during the Open Enrollment or special enrollment periods.
Expert Opinion
Chiranth Nataraj, a renowned travel insurance expert, says, “In 2024, Even if you’re waiting for your green card, you can still get health insurance in the US. You’re seen as a visitor until you get that card. And while you won’t qualify for Obamacare until then, plenty of other insurance options are available to you”.
Can you get health insurance while waiting for green card?
So, the answer is yes! Till you receive your green card, you are a visitor in the US and need health insurance coverage just like any other visitor in America.
When your green card status is pending or still on hold, you are considered a visitor to the US. You do not become eligible for Obamacare till you get your Green Card. You can choose either immigrant insurance plans or visitor insurance plans. These plans can cover you for a temporary period per the benefits of the policy you opt for so that you do not have to pay from your pockets in the event of a medical emergency.
Get health insurance while waiting for green card
Navigating the complexities of health insurance in the U.S.? You’re not alone. Many people are moving to the U.S., and those waiting for their green card find it challenging to get strong health insurance while settling into their new living situation.
The US healthcare landscape, renowned for its high costs, can pose challenges, especially for those unfamiliar with its nuances.
If you’re on the cusp of acquiring your green card or are in the process of establishing permanent residency, it’s crucial to understand your health insurance options. With the considerable medical expenses in the U.S., having adequate coverage isn’t merely a recommendation—it’s a safeguard against potential financial pitfalls.
We aim to guide you through the intricacies, ensuring that your health and well-being remain paramount during your journey towards becoming a U.S. resident. Join us as we explore the best insurance pathways for prospective green card holders, ensuring a smooth and protected transition.
Buy Insurance for Immigrants
Can you buy health insurance from Marketplace if you don’t have a green card?
If you are not a US citizen or not a lawfully present individual in the US, you are not eligible to buy a health insurance plan from the Marketplace. In this case, you can get help from outside the Marketplace and turn to licensed and reputable insurance companies operating in the US. You can purchase a policy that suits your visa status and change the plan when you receive your green card.
Only lawfully present immigrants and green card holders can purchase coverage from Marketplace. A new immigrant to the US like parents and relatives of individuals who are citizens or residents of the US can buy health insurance plans from Marketplace under the Obamacare program or Affordable Care Act (ACA) program.
Can green card holders get Obamacare?
Yes, green card holders become lawfully permanent residents of the US. Therefore, they become eligible to purchase plans from Obamacare. Green Card holders can apply for or renew their Obamacare coverage during the Open Enrollment every year. Green card holders living outside the US and coming to the country for a brief and have missed the Open Enrollment period to apply for Obamacare can check to see if they qualify for the special enrollment period or simply purchase immigrant health insurance plans. These plans offer adequate coverage during their temporary stay or till the time they can apply for Obamacare.
What visitor insurance plans can you purchase?
If you are currently in the US on a visitor visa and your family members or parents visiting the USA have applied for a family-sponsored Green Card, you are considered a visitor till you receive your Green Card. During this time, you can buy any of the visitor insurance policies and then switch to long-term health insurance plans for green card holders once you receive your Green Card.
Some of the popular plans you can buy are:
- Safe Travels USA Comprehensive- The plan offers coverage for medical accident and sickness, emergency medical and political evacuation, repatriation of remains, trip interruption, baggage, and accidental death & dismemberment. COVID 19 is treated and covered as any other sickness. You can find multiple options for emergency medical policy maximum and deductibles. Optional upgrades available for athletic sports, return to home, and AD & D.
- Patriot America- The maximum limit ranges from $50,000 to $1,000,000 with deductible in between $0 to $2,500. The plan offers emergency medical evacuation up to $1 million and pays 100% in-network. It can be extended to 24 continuous months but offers no coverage to acute onset of pre-existing conditions, remote transportation, and supplement accident. You can consider Patriot Platinum plan to enjoy higher coverage.
- Atlas America- The plan covers emergency medical evacuation, emergency reunion, repatriation of remains, political evacuation, hospitalization and outpatient treatment, acute-onset of pre-existing conditions, sports coverage, pregnancy complications during the first 26weeks of gestation, and more. It also offers different travel assistance services to make your journey safe and smooth. Do check the brochure to know about the policy limits.
To know which plan suits you the most, contact Visitor Guard®. We are a licensed and have helped several customers to find the right visitor insurance while traveling abroad.
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