Health Insurance – General Info
What you will find in this section:
Why health insurance?
Healthcare in the United States is extremely expensive if you pay cash, so having health insurance is very important. You should make an effort to get health insurance as soon as you arrive in the U.S. This will give you peace of mind, better financial protection, and access to a wider variety of healthcare services.
Ukrainians in the U.S. on humanitarian parole status have several options for health insurance, including public health insurance options like Medicaid, Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA), and Emergency Medicaid, as well as private health insurance.
Please note that if/while you don't have insurance, you can still access healthcare at community health clinics as a temporary solution.
Despite what you may have heard, public health insurance in the US is of great quality, covers most of what you will need, and is free!
Details on each of these options are included in the links below. We have also collected a list of documents you may need, as well as general instructions on how to apply.
Medicaid: The main government-funded program available to you, begin here.
Refugee Medical Assistance: Look into this on top of Medicaid if you live in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Emergency Medicaid: Apply in emergency situations only; if you need to go to the hospital and do not have insurance.
Community health clinics: Places that offer free or low-cost medical services regardless of insurance status.
Private health insurance: Provided by your employer or purchased on your own.
Question
I was told that it takes a long time to get approved for Medicaid. What do I do if my child gets sick before that?
Answer
Pregnant women and minor children can immediately obtain temporary Medicaid insurance while the main application is pending approval. For other applicants, please ask your resettlement agency case worker or the office where you are applying for benefits that include a specific date when your Medicaid becomes effective. In some states, you may become eligible from the day you get the UHP stamp at the border. Other states consider the eligibility starting from the application date. Still, others grant the eligibility beginning from the application approval date. It is important to understand how these rules work in your state because it helps you to make an informed decision and use your Medicaid insurance before receiving the card (i.e., your application approval). Medicaid also offers 3 months of retroactive coverage, which you can request when you are filling out the application.
Documents: What’s typically needed to apply for health insurance
Keep copies of all the documents you submit for your records. If you have questions or need clarification on the required documents, contact the insurance provider or visit their official website.
Proof of identity:
You will need your Ukrainian foreign passport or US driver’s license. Depending on the state, you may need a Social Security Number (SSN) as well.Proof of immigration status:
Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
SSN may be needed
Proof of address/residency:
You may be required to show documents demonstrating your current address, such as a lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement. If you have just arrived, you should ask the person whose house you are staying in to help you with this.Proof of income:
You don't need any documents here, instead just put zero in the income part of the form.
How to apply for health insurance (general guidelines)
As with all other benefits we strongly recommend getting the help of your local resettlement agency to assist with the application. We have combined a list of resettlement agencies in key destination states. For states that are not on the Svitlo website, you can look at this government database. Please filter by your state.
To apply for public health insurance (Medicaid/RMA) and increase your chances of obtaining the healthcare coverage you require, follow these steps:
Complete the application accurately:
Please ensure you meet your state's specific eligibility criteria (most likely you will) and provide all the details required in the forms. Most importantly, triple-check your application to make sure you didn't make any mistakes (even spelling!). It may take months to correct the information and your application will be delayed.Submit the application as instructed:
In most states, you can submit your application in person, online, by mail, or by using health insurance navigators (people trained to help select health insurance). The best method will depend on your state and city. We recommend you ask Ukrainians who came to your area before you. If you live in an area that does not have many Ukrainians we recommend you go in person since it is likely that Medicaid agents in your location may not be aware of the U4U program.Stay informed:
Regularly check your mail and email for any updates or requests for additional information from the health agency. Respond promptly to avoid delays.Await the decision:
The agency will review your application and inform you of their decision through the mail. Once approved, you will receive information on your coverage and how to access healthcare services.
Additional resources
Healthcare in the US is very complex, and while we have conducted extensive research, we recommend conducting further research specific to your state. Additionally, we encourage you to explore the resources provided by our partners to access comprehensive information and insights gathered from our collective efforts:
YouTube channel about US healthcare
Prescription coupons at GoodRx
Orthodontics for Children at Smiles Change Lives
You have options for healthcare
Navigating the US healthcare system can seem daunting, but you have many options available to help you including:
For more general info about what it’s like to obtain health care in the US, the documents you’ll need, and how to apply, visit our healthcare general info page.