Health Insurance for Green Card Holders in the US

Green card holders who shuttle between their home country and the U.S.

A number of individuals may already have green cards but don't stay in the U.S. permanently. They may be visiting the U.S. every six months or once every year. If this describes your situation, you'll need to buy either an immigrant plan or a visitors insurance plan that satisfies the eligibility criteria for green card holders shuttling between the home country and the U.S.

For green card holders and permanent residents who spend over 330 days outside of the U.S., the Affordable Care Act requirements may not apply.

Green card holders who are permanent U.S. residents

Effective January 1, 2019, Americans are no longer required by the federal government to have healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. Moving forward, it will now be up to each state to decide if its residents are required to have healthcare. While you might not be penalized for failing to enroll now (depending on which state you live in), it's always best to have quality healthcare coverage for yourself and your family in the event of illness or injury.

Whether you missed the ACA deadline, are in between jobs, are a dependent no longer covered under a parent's insurance, are a recent graduate or you're just waiting on health benefits to start, your options depend on your age.

If you're below 65 years of age, have a green card and live in the U.S. permanently, you can consider domestic insurances like Blue Cross, Blue shield etc. Green card holders who miss the healthcare enrollment period (November 15 to February 15 every year) or are waiting on their employee benefits to start may be able to insure themselves with temporary coverage.

Coverage for New and Pending Green Card Holders

If you recently received your green card and will be coming to the U.S. on an immigrant visa soon, you can consider New Immigrants Health Insurance plan, or plans that provide temporary coverage while you travel and settle down in the U.S. Some of the choices from VisitorsCoverage include: Inbound USA and HCC STM.

If you're in the U.S. on a visitor's visa and your children or family has applied for a family-sponsored green card, you're considered a visitor until your green card is processed. During this waiting period, you may be eligible for a visitors health insurance plan. Once you get green card approval, you should shift to a plan that offers coverage for green card holders.