Mixed-Status Families: Who Can Get Marketplace Savings

Here's the short answer. In a "mixed-status" family, members have different immigration or citizenship statuses. A relative who is a citizen or lawfully present can apply for Marketplace coverage and savings. This is true even if a spouse or parent is undocumented. Relatives who are not applying are not asked about their status. Undocumented immigrants cannot get Marketplace coverage themselves. They may apply for relatives who are eligible.

Who applies, and who is asked about status

Each person who applies is looked at on their own. Family members who are not applying for coverage for themselves will not be asked their immigration status.

The rules also protect eligible members. The Marketplace and state Medicaid and CHIP offices cannot require status details for household members who are not applying. A state cannot deny benefits to an applicant because one of those members did not share their status.

What a mixed-status family can do

• Apply for savings for eligible dependents. Families can apply for the premium tax credit and extra savings on out-of-pocket costs. This is for dependents who qualify for Marketplace coverage.
• Apply for Medicaid and CHIP. Families can apply for Medicaid and CHIP coverage for eligible dependent family members. Some members may qualify for full Medicaid or CHIP while others do not.
• Include taxpaying members who cannot get coverage. Some families have taxpayers who cannot get Marketplace coverage. Other members of the same family qualify as citizens or lawfully present immigrants.

Counting household size and income can be tricky in these cases. A free Marketplace navigator can help. See Case Managers & Navigators.

Who counts as lawfully present

HealthCare.gov lists these groups that may be able to get Marketplace coverage. This is a partial list.

• Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders)
• Asylees and refugees
• People paroled into the U.S.
• People with an employment authorization document (work permit)
• People with worker, student, U-visa, T-visa, and other non-immigrant visas
• People with Deferred Action status
• People with Temporary Protected Status
• Cuban or Haitian entrants
• Citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau who live in a U.S. state or territory (COFA migrants)

Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not eligible for Marketplace coverage.

A law change coming January 1, 2027

HealthCare.gov warns of a law change. Starting January 1, 2027, only three statuses will qualify for savings. They are Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), Cuban or Haitian entrant, and Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrant. Other lawfully present people may still get Marketplace coverage, but not savings.

If a relative has a status that is not on that list, check how it changes your costs before the 2027 plan year. Use our income estimate guide, and talk to a navigator.

Other places to get care

If someone is not eligible for Marketplace coverage, they may get care at a lower cost through a community health center. Health centers offer primary care on a sliding fee scale based on income.

For emergencies, see Emergency Medicaid. If a family member sponsored a green card, see sponsor deeming. For Medicare questions, see Medicare for Immigrants.

Common questions

Related pages

• The Health Insurance Marketplace
• Medicare for Immigrants & Green Card Holders
• Medicaid Eligibility
• CHIP
• Covering a Parent and a Child in One Household
• State Medicaid Directory
• HealthCare.gov: Immigrant families
• HealthCare.gov: Immigration status and the Marketplace