Healthcare access for Undocumented Folks in the Time of COVID19

In the middle of this pandemic, there is a lot of misinformation and fear being spread in regards to seeking medical assistance. If you feel sick, with symptoms of fever and dry cough, do not be afraid to seek medical assistance and call a doctor first.

For information in Spanish, here’s the CDC guide.

If you are a healthcare provider (hospital, clinic or organization) who needs language interpretation, you can apply for a free service through Interpret to Save a Life. Email them at covid19interpret@gmail.com with the subject line “[Organization Name] Needs Interpreter Database.“

Here’s what you need to know about how COVID19 affects the new Public Charge Rule.

Although undocumented people are usually not eligible for health insurance, even through ACA, we can still receive health care through free/low-cost clinics that serve the uninsured.

Undocumented people are welcome and will not be turned away from free/low-cost clinics.

• An example of a low-cost health clinic is Planned Parenthood.
• There are directories of free clinics across the country: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/
• If you are experiencing an emergency, emergency rooms and hospitals that receive Federal Funding (most do) cannot turn away patients.
• If you are pregnant, you can get care in some states, regardless of immigration status: WA, OR, CA, MN, NE, OK, TX, LA, AR, MO, IL, WI, MI, TN, NY, MA, RI, DC.
• Children under 18 can get care in some states regardless of immigration status: WA, OR, CA, IL, NY, MA, DC.
• California is the only state to extend coverage to low-income, undocumented adults ages 25 and younger for the state’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) covering roughly 90,000 people.