Citizenship Requirements for State Health Care Programs

You must either a citizen or a "qualified alien" to be eligible for a state health care program. Some "qualified aliens" are not eligible until they have been in the United States for 5 years.

The following "qualified aliens" must be in the U.S. 5 years:

1. lawful, permanent residents;
2. aliens granted parole for at least 1 year
3. battered aliens

The following do NOT have to be in the country 5 years:

1. refugees
2. asylees
3. Cubans and Haitians
4. victims of severe form of trafficking
5. qualified aliens who are honorably discharged veterans or on active duty with the military, or their spouse or dependent child
6. Amerasian immigrants
7. immigrants applying for emergency medical treatment only
8. immigrants who entered the US and became qualified aliens prior to August 22, 1996
9. members of a federally-recognized Indian tribe
10. some American Indians born in Canada

If you have a "green card" you should be considered a lawful permanent resident.

These are only general guidelines. The rules are complex and there may be more specific eligibility rules for some aliens and other noncitizens. Please call us if you have questions .