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Effective: April 1, 2008 |
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11.15ar2 - Funding Health Care for Noncitizens (Archive) |
Archived: June 1, 2011 |
Immigration status and, in some cases, date of entry or length of time in the U.S. are key factors in determining health care program eligibility for noncitizens. Because of differences in federal and state law, it is possible for two noncitizen enrollees to be eligible for the same health care benefits, even though one enrollee's benefits may be both federally and state-funded, while the other enrollee's benefits are funded entirely by the state.
General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC).
Undocumented and Nonimmigrant People.
For MCRE, noncitizens who meet all other program requirements and have an immigration status that qualifies for Federal Financial Participation (FFP) are enrolled in one of the following major programs:
l Program LL if they are pregnant women or children under 21.
l Program FF if they are parents or relative caretakers.
For lawful noncitizens who meet all other MCRE requirements but do not have an immigration status that qualifies for FFP, use the following state-funded major programs:
l Program KK if they are pregnant women or children under 21.
l Program JJ if they are parents or relative caretakers.
The following state-funded major programs are used for certain MCRE clients regardless of their immigration status or date of entry:
l Program JJ for all legal guardians or foster parents.
l Program BB for all adults without children (non-pregnant adults who are not parents, relative caretakers, legal guardians, or foster parents).
Note: Noncitizens with an undocumented or nonimmigrant status are not eligible for MinnesotaCare.
For MA, noncitizens who meet federal immigration status requirements are potentially eligible for MA with FFP (major program MA). They must meet all other MA program requirements, such as income and assets.
Noncitizens who meet all other MA program requirements but do not have an immigration status that qualifies for MA with FFP are potentially eligible for Noncitizens Medical Assistance (NMED) (major program NM). This includes noncitizens who do not qualify for federally funded health care due to their date of entry or length of time in the U.S. This state-funded MA program provides the same benefits as MA with FFP.
Noncitizens who are not eligible for MA with FFP due to immigration status or date of entry may also be eligible for Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA) if they have a medical emergency. EMA is available only for the length of the emergency. However, because it is both federally and state-funded, it should be used for noncitizens who have a medical emergency who are one of the following:
l Eligible for state-funded MA (major program NM).
Example:
Anita, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) who has been in the U.S. for less than five years, is enrolled in NMED. Recently, Anita was hospitalized for surgery due to a ruptured appendix.
Action:
Approve EMA for Anita for the duration of the medical emergency.
l Not eligible for either federally or state-funded MA because they have an undocumented or nonimmigrant status.
Example:
Joseph came to the U.S. to visit his daughter on a nonimmigrant visa. While in the U.S., Joseph had a stroke. Joseph is not able to return to his home country because of his medical condition. Joseph’s visa has expired and USCIS considers him to be undocumented. He meets all other eligibility factors for MA.
Action:
If Joseph’s doctor provides verification that his condition is a medical emergency, approve EMA.
l Not eligible for either federally or state-funded MA due to sponsor deeming.
Example:
Grace is a sponsored LPR who has provided a doctor’s statement verifying that she is pregnant. Grace states that her sponsor is not providing financial support, but this has not been verified by the sponsor. Grace meets all other eligibility factors for MA.
Action:
Approve EMA for labor and delivery and any other medical emergencies. Grace meets all eligibility factors for EMA because her sponsor’s income is not deemed.
General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)
Noncitizens who do not have an MA basis of eligibility may be eligible for state-funded GAMC if they meet residency and all other program requirements.
Note: Noncitizens with an undocumented or nonimmigrant status are not eligible for GAMC.
Noncitizens who are lawfully present in the U.S. but do not have a status that qualifies for federally funded health care must cooperate with the USCIS in efforts to obtain a qualified status or pursue citizenship. See Changes in Immigration Status and Adjustment Requirements for Other Lawfully Present Noncitizens.
Undocumented and Nonimmigrant People
Most noncitizens with an undocumented or nonimmigrant status are not eligible for federally or state-funded health care programs. However, there are exceptions; see Undocumented and Nonimmigrant People.
For information about which immigration statuses qualify or do not qualify for federal funding, see: