Immigrants and Health Care Coverage

Summary of health insurance options

• You can apply for Dr. Dynasaur any time.
• You can apply for a health plan through Vermont Health Connect (VHC) during the open enrollment period in the fall or if you have a special enrollment period during the year.
• Learn more below.

Read more about who is eligible for health insurance. 

Dr. Dynasaur

Dr. Dynasaur is a health insurance program for kids under age 19 and pregnant people. It is free or low cost. It covers emergency, medical, and dental care. You get can get Dr. Dynasaur if:

• You live in Vermont.
• You are pregnant or under age 19.
• You have a lawful immigration status, and
• You meet the income and all other eligibility requirements.

Unlike other kinds of Medicaid, many immigrants qualify for Dr. Dynasaur. It doesn’t matter how long you have been in the United States. 

Vermont Health Connect

If you are not eligible for Medicaid or Dr. Dynasaur, you may be able to enroll in a health plan through Vermont Health Connect (VHC). VHC offers private health insurance plans. Most people qualify for financial help to lower the premium (monthly cost). You can enroll during the open enrollment period in the fall or if you have a special enrollment period during the year.

Summary of health insurance options

• You can apply for Emergency Medicaid anytime. This program is for everyone. 
• You can apply for the Immigrant Health Insurance Plan (IHIP). This program is for children under age 19 and pregnant people.
• You cannot buy a health plan through Vermont Health Connect. You can buy a private health plan directly through an insurance company, but it is expensive.
• Learn more below.

If you cannot get health insurance, you can apply for financial help (called “patient financial assistance”) at a nearby hospital or health clinic. Contact the Office of the Health Care Advocate for help: 1-800-917-7787.

Emergency Medicaid

Even though you may not qualify for regular Medicaid, you may be able to have emergency health care paid in part or in full with Emergency Medicaid.

What is emergency health care?

• Labor and delivery if you are pregnant
• Sudden, dangerous medical problems like heart attacks or being hurt in an accident

You can get Emergency Medicaid if:

• You live in Vermont.
• You need emergency medical care at the emergency department.
• You have an immigration status that does not let you get Dr. Dynasaur or Medicaid, and
• You meet the income and all the other eligibility requirements.

How to apply for Emergency Medicaid:

• By phone: 1-855-899-9600.
  • Remember to say you want “Emergency Medicaid.”
• By mail: Download and print the 205 ALL MED application on VHC’s website, then mail it to VHC.
  • Write “Emergency Medicaid” at the top of the application.
• In-person: You can get help applying for insurance by calling or meeting with trained helpers called assisters. Find an assister near you.
  • Remember to say you want “Emergency Medicaid.”
• Online: Click “Apply Now” to create an online account and then submit an application.

After you apply, Vermont Health Connect will send you a letter that says what you need to do. Medicaid will pay some or all of your bills if the emergency care you got meets the rules.

Getting Emergency Medicaid will not impact your immigration status.

Immigrant Health Insurance Plan (IHIP)

The Immigrant Health Insurance Plan (IHIP) is free health insurance for kids up to age 19 and pregnant people. It covers most of the health care services that Dr. Dynasaur covers, including labor and delivery, emergency, medical, and dental care.

You can get IHIP if:

• You live in Vermont.
• You are pregnant or under age 19.
• You have an immigration status that does not allow you to sign up for Dr. Dynasaur, and
• You meet the income and all other eligibility requirements.

How to apply for IHIP:

• If you are pregnant: Apply for IHIP using Vermont Health Connect's 205 ALL MED application. This application will let you apply for both IHIP and Emergency Medicaid. You can download a copy of the 205 ALL MED application. Or call customer service and ask them to mail you a copy: 1-855-899-9600.
• If you are under 19: Apply for IHIP using the 205 IHIP application. You must apply using a paper application. You can download the application in English or Spanish. Or call Customer Service and ask them to mail you a copy: 1-855-899-9600.

No matter what application you use, you need to send proof of your identity, income and Vermont residency with your application to Vermont Health Connect. Find out what to send – you can read this in English or Spanish. 

Getting IHIP will not impact your immigration status.

• Immigrants, Taxes and the Affordable Care Act — This article explains how the Affordable Care Act applies to immigrants.
• Read more about health care issues for immigrants.
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) — This web page has general information on ITINs. An ITIN is a tax number that the IRS gives to people who are not eligible for a Social Security Number.
• See our web page about finding help with Immigration and Citizenship.