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American Citizenship & Medicaid

Eligibility for Medicaid in the U.S. is dependent on citizenship status. Federal guidelines regulate Medicaid eligibility, and citizenship requirements vary by state.

  1. Native Citizenship

    • Any person born on U.S. soil is considered a citizen for the purpose of qualifying for Medicaid. This includes children born in the United States of immigrant parents. A birth certificate or passport is required to prove citizenship status.

    Legal Permanent Residents

    • Per the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, legal permanent residents, or green card holders, might be eligible for Medicaid after five years of residency in the United States. An alien number is acceptable as proof of citizenship status.

    Refugees

    • Refugees, or those fleeing to the United States due to fear of persecution, war or violence within their native country, might be eligible for Medicaid regardless of length of residency.

    Temporary Immigrants

    • Immigrants working or going to school in the U.S. on a temporary visa are not eligible to receive Medicaid.

    Emergency and Prenatal Care

    • Regardless of length of residency, a legal immigrant could receive emergency Medicaid and prenatal care if other eligibility criteria are met.

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