Noncitizens

Find information about other types of coverage options to noncitizens.

Apple Health Expansion enrollment update

You can apply for Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage year-round.

Apple Health Expansion is one of the few Apple Health programs with limited enrollment.

The enrollment limit for Apple Health Expansion has been met. If you have not applied, you can still complete your application for Apple Health Expansion to be considered if space opens in the program.

If you applied for coverage and were denied because the cap was met, there are no additional steps you need to take. There is still a possibility you may be randomly selected to enroll if space opens in the program. You will receive an eligibility notice if you are selected for enrollment.

View the enrollment announcement for regular updates. Send questions about what this means for you and your family, and what to expect over the coming months to the Apple Health Expansion inbox.

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Possible wait times for qualified immigrants

Federal law requires many qualified immigrants to wait five years before becoming eligible for Medicaid. This 5-year waiting period is commonly referred to as the 5-year bar. This 5-year waiting period usually begins when the person receives their qualifying immigration status, not when they entered the U.S.

Apple Health programs

Noncitizen individuals may be eligible for free or low-cost Apple Health coverage depending on their circumstances. Covered services include primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications and more.

Apple Health is available year-round. You can apply for Apple Health at any time. Browse the options below to learn about different Apple Health coverage types.

Apple Health for Kids

Your child may be eligible for Apple Health for Kids free or low-cost coverage (with a low premium) if they are a Washington resident and your household income is at or below the Apple Health income standard. View eligibility requirements.

Apple Health for Kids hotline

You can call WithinReach's Apple Health hotline at 206-204-3503 (weekdays) or visit the ParentHelp123 website to learn more. WithinReach has friendly, local, and knowledgeable staff to help you understand and apply for free or low-cost Apple Health for Kids coverage.

Apple Health for Pregnant Individuals

This program provides coverage to people who are pregnant with countable income at or below the Apple Health income standard, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Your household size includes yourself, the unborn children, and additional household members such as a spouse and children. View eligibility requirements.

After-Pregnancy Coverage (APC)

You may be eligible for APC if you were pregnant in the last 12 months and were not on Apple Health during the pregnancy. After you are enrolled in APC, changes to your income will not affect your APC coverage regardless of how your pregnancy ends.

APC lasts for 12 months, starting the first day of the month after your pregnancy ends. For example, if your pregnancy ended June 10, your health care coverage would continue through June 30 of the following year. Learn more about APC.

Family Planning Only

Family Planning Only provides coverage to people for family planning services to help them take charge of their lives and prevent unintended pregnancies. Learn what services Family Planning Only covers and view eligibility requirements.

Apple Health Expansion

Apple Health Expansion is a new program designed to provide full-scope health care coverage to people age 19 or older who do not qualify for other Apple Health programs based on their immigration status. Apple Health Expansion is designed to mirror to the extent possible the services provided to individuals enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid) managed care. View the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify for Apple Health Expansion.

Due to program funding, the number of individuals who can enroll in Apple Health Expansion is limited. View the enrollment cap announcement to learn how this impacts you.

All Washingtonians, regardless of immigration status, may buy qualified health and dental plans. Learn more about immigrant health care and other cost saving options.

Update to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other people with qualifying immigration statuses

Due to a recent federal change, DACA recipients and other people with qualifying immigration statuses can now access increased federal savings through Washington Healthplanfinder as of November 1, 2024.

These individuals are no longer eligible for Apple Health Expansion because they now qualify for qualified health plan (QHP) with tax credits. Currently enrolled Apple Health Expansion clients who are affected by this change will not transition to a QHP unless they update their application or no longer qualify for other eligibility reasons.

This change does not affect other Apple Health (Medicaid) programs.

Read answers to frequently asked questions to learn more.

Medical Care Services (MCS)

MCS is state-funded health care coverage for individuals who are enrolled in one of the following programs:

  • State Family Assistance (SFA) – Survivors of Certain Crimes
  • Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) referral
  • Aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash program and do not meet citizenship or immigration status requirements

These programs are administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Community Services Division.

To be eligible, individuals must:

  • Apply for cash assistance with DSHS via:
  • Meet eligibility requirements for and enroll in, ABD cash program, HEN referral, or SFA for Survivors of Certain Crimes.
Alien Emergency Medical (AEM)

AEM is coverage for individuals who do not meet citizenship or immigration status requirements, or for qualified individuals who have not met the 5-year immigration bar and have a qualifying medical condition.

To be eligible, individuals must:

  • Meet eligibility requirements of an Apple Health program, but not be eligible for full coverage due to Citizenship and immigration requirements (which program an individual is eligible for determines whether they follow the MAGI or Classic Medicaid eligibility rules and application processing); and
  • Have a qualifying emergency medical condition, including one of the following:
    • A qualifying emergent medical condition such as emergency room care, inpatient hospital admission, or outpatient hospital surgery
    • A cancer treatment plan
    • Dialysis treatment
    • Antirejection medication for an organ transplant

AEM qualifying medical conditions

More information on qualifying medical conditions for AEM coverage:

  • Inpatient, outpatient surgery, and emergency room visit – Qualifying services must be provided in a hospital setting that includes evaluation and management visits by a physician and be needed to treat the emergency medical condition. Certification is limited to the dates on which the qualifying services were provided.
  • Antirejection medication, cancer treatment, and dialysis do not need to be provided in a hospital setting – The qualifying services must be needed to treat the qualifying condition of cancer, acute renal failure, or end stage renal disease, or be antirejection medication.
State-funded long-term care

The applicant must meet all other eligibility factors for nursing home placement and receive prior authorization by the Aging & Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). This program is subject to caseload limits.

Applying for Apple Health coverage

The income and resource limits are designated by the program an individual is eligible for. See Apply for or renew coverage for more details.

Other health care options

Qualified health plans and Cascade Care Savings options for immigrants

All Washingtonians, regardless of immigration status, can shop for and buy qualified health and dental plans through Washington Healthplanfinder. Learn more about immigrant health care and other cost saving options and how to apply during a special enrollment period.

Related forms and publications

Related links