Potential Loss of Medicare and Medicaid Coverage

Losing Medicare or Medicaid coverage can occur due to various factors, including non-payment of premiums, providing false information, or changes 

in income or family circumstances. Likely, the optional Medicare and Medicaid benefits will get cut. 

Immigrant Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid 

Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid as an immigrant is subject to certain conditions, typically their immigration status and time of stay in America. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federally subsidized coverage like Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare. Depending on the state, undocumented non-pregnant adults younger than 65 years may still become eligible for Medicaid for emergency services if they meet other requirements. 

For Medicare, lawfully present non-citizens are eligible if they receive or are eligible for Railroad Retirement or Social Security benefits. Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents) are ordinarily eligible for Medicare benefits if they have been a legal permanent residents in the United States for at least five consecutive years and are 65 years old or older, or meet disability criteria. New immigrants are not covered under Medicare directly, regardless of age, and must meet residency requirements prior to eligibility and enrollment being conducted like other residents. 

For Medicaid, most immigrants must possess a “qualified” immigration status to be eligible. Some states pay for newly arrived immigrant children using “state-only” funds. Qualified immigrants usually must have legal permanent resident status for at least five years to qualify for Medicaid in the majority of states, though exceptions exist. Rules for health coverage vary among states for immigrant groups like lawfully residing children and pregnant women.