Free Health Insurance for Immigrants in NYC

MetroPlusHealth is a not-for-profit health insurer built by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers. With a culturally-sensitive staff fluent in more than 40 languages, a phone line available in 13 languages, and interpretation services available for many more, MetroPlusHealth is dedicated to welcoming all people and providing equitable access to health insurance. These values are especially important for immigrant communities, who are often shut out of employer-based healthcare options or priced out of private plans. MetroPlusHealth offers several no-cost health insurance options in New York designed specifically for people in exactly that situation.

No. You do not need to be a green card holder or citizen to qualify for MetroPlusHealth’s health plans (details on each plan are below). Immigrants in New York have more health insurance options than in many other states, and applying for health insurance won’t affect your immigration status or application status. Your immigration status won’t be shared with federal immigration authorities.

The MetroPlusHealth Essential Plan is one of the strongest free health insurance options for immigrant adults. The Essential Plan offers $0 premiums, $0 deductibles, dental, vision, mental health, and urgent care coverage across four tiers.

Immigrants can qualify for the Essential Plan right after moving to New York, as long as they have a valid visa or deferred action status.

The Expanded Essential Plan extends coverage to immigrants who meet the qualifications for Immigrants Permanently Residing Under Color of Law (PRUCOL) status. It also offers coverage to immigrants who are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Learn more about which Essential Plan you may qualify for and any out-of-pocket costs associated with them by visiting our What is the Essential Plan page.

Regardless of immigration status, children under 19 who live in New York State are eligible for MetroPlusHealth’s Child Health Plus Plan, as long as they meet the other requirements.

There are no copays or deductibles for covered services under Child Health Plus, although families may have to pay a monthly premium depending on family size and income, sometimes known as a sliding-scale fee structure. The only other criteria are that the child must:

• Be a New York resident
• Not be eligible for Medicaid
• Not covered by other health insurance
• Not eligible for other state benefit programs (like NYSHIP)

For immigrants who qualify, MetroPlusHealth also administers Medicaid Managed Care. Pregnant immigrants can get Medicaid regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet other requirements. Undocumented immigrants who are not pregnant can still access Medicaid for emergency services. DACAmented New Yorkers with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status can also qualify for Medicaid.

MetroPlusHealth enrolls members Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call 866-496-6636, schedule an appointment online, or visit a MetroPlusHealth location in your borough.