How to get a free medical insurance in New York while you are waiting for political asylum

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Political asylum is called among the five main ways to move to the United States. Someone is forced to move to conflicts with local authorities, someone - bullying on the grounds of sexual orientation or persecution because of the "wrong" faith. One thing in common: the particularity of the status of an asylum seeker is such that this person, up to the positive decision of the immigration officer, does not, in general, have the right to any public benefits (so-called Benefits). This issue is especially acute when it comes to medicine - after all, everyone knows that the high cost of medical services and a confusing, outdated insurance system are a real scourge of the United States. As a rule, in most parts of the country, after applying for asylum, there is no talk of free health insurance on the same basis as local residents - you will be able to get emergency care if necessary, but that’s it. This is not the case in New York City - being a "sanctuary city" (sanctuary city), it provides almost equal rights for all migrants. Let's see how a new asylum seeker can get free medical insurance and not worry that he will be left without support?

Situation # XXUMX: you have just arrived, but have not yet applied for asylum

If your visa status remains tourist (or otherwise), then the program automatically applies to you in New York Medicaid. She is responsible for emergency assistance, and according to her, they are not entitled to refuse you in the event of a crisis. To use the program, you just need to contact the hospital emergency room (emergency room). It applies to all legal residents of the state of New York, as well as those who have a legal basis for being in the United States (for example, tourists, students who come to Work & Travel etc.). During the reception, you will be asked for an identity document (ID). An important condition for free use of the program is officially low income; otherwise, for services rendered may send a bill for a round amount. The level of this income is no more than $ 1387 per lonely healthy person per month; This program naturally covers all people who do not have an official source of income in the United States.

Фото: Depositphotos

Situation # XXUMX: you live in New York for some time and “dropped out” of your visa status

If you are out of status and can not present any documents that would confirm your legal stay in the United States, then use the program HHC options. According to her, the most diverse medical care can be obtained in the system of regular hospitals in New York, paying a nominal amount for this (ranging from US $ 15 per visit), and for children and pregnant women it will be completely free.

Under this program, you can cure your teeth, get help for pregnant women, children and the elderly, pass the necessary tests and conduct research - the range of options is very large. The main conditions are officially low income (which is calculated on the basis of total income for all family members) and the absence of any other insurance, both paid and free. For example, if in your family of three people the annual income does not exceed $ 29 295, then you will pay $ 15 for a visit to the doctor and $ 2 for a prescription. An MRI will cost you $ 150. If the same family has an income between 40 and 50 thousand US dollars per year, then the payment of the visit will be $ 30, and the MRI image will be $ 350. All prices can be viewed. here.

Situation # XXUMX: you are already awaiting an interview for asylum

The first thing that asylum seekers do in New York after receiving a long-awaited letter from USCIS is running for free insurance under the program Medicare. You can apply for an insurance plan. Essential PlanIf your annual proven income does not exceed a certain limit ($ 23 540), you are a permanent resident of the state of New York, and your migration status officially gives you the right to reside in the USA. The latter condition also includes those who are in the United States in the status of PRUCOL (Permanent Residence Under Color of Law). All asylum seekers until they receive status granted asylum (obtained asylum) have status under PRUCOL. In fact, this state is “out of status”, which, nevertheless, determines that you are in the US legally and are not subject to deportation. PRUCOL is not an immigration status. - Author). Of course, you must not have any other current insurance, including insurance from your employer.

In order to take out insurance, you will need documents confirming your status. In the case of an asylum seeker, this is the I-797 form. (Notice of Action), which you receive after submitting the biometric data, as well as an identity card and, optionally, a letter from your lawyer, where he recommends providing you with insurance and confirms that you really applied for political asylum. Make numerous copies of these documents is not necessary - bring them in the originals.

You can take out insurance in two ways:

- having a personal account on Online (Marketplace);

- through an agent - in a hospital or clinic, community center, library or public office. Full list can be found here, agent services are free.

You will be offered to choose one of the insurance companies - in New York it may be Fidelis care, Affinity Health Plan, EmblemHealth, Healthfirst, MetroPlus Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare or WellCare of New York. Please note that not all insurance coverage covers dental treatment (in particular, the services of a dentist are not included in Essential Plan from WellCare). The card of the participant of the insurance program arrives at the home address by mail within a week or two after confirming that you are eligible to apply for the insurance plan.

Sometimes in a letter from New york state of health It will be said that you are eligible exclusively for the plan. Medicaid. Typically, this is a system error: any low-income New Yorker is eligible for coverage by default. Essential Plan. In this case, you have to directly contact the city health department (if necessary, you can ask a Russian-speaking employee).

Фото: Depositphotos

It is important to remember that even within the framework of the above income there are options for coatings: from Essential Plan 4 to Essential Plan 1. If your annual income is lower than $ 16,600, then you will be eligible for full coverage insurance, including any expenses - for example, medication fees (Essential Plan 4). If it is between $ 16 600 and $ 23 540, then your insurance may be added co-pays - payments that you will add to any medical waste from your own pocket, as well as small payments for prescribed medications and payment for the services of certain specialists. You will gradually move to Essential Plan 1That will last until your annual income exceeds the maximum limit. At this point, you lose the right to free insurance. So hurry up and go through all the necessary examinations until you get promoted! By the way, if the income has changed during the year (for example, you have found a good job and signed an official contract), you can be deprived of the “free” insurance already “issued” for a year and send large bills for actions that were made after the financial situation changed. Be careful!

Dictionary

Asylum seeker - asylum seeker

PRUCOL - Permanent Residence Under Color of Law. All asylum seekers until they receive status granted asylum (obtained asylum) have status under PRUCOL. In fact, this state is “out of status”, which, nevertheless, determines that you are in the US legally and are not subject to deportation. PRUCOL not an immigration status.

Eligibility - the term that determines whether you are eligible to provide (insurance)

Emergency - urgent need

Medicare - health insurance for low-income citizens - residents of the state of New York. Requirements: low income, no other insurance.

Essential plan - basic insurance plan

Medicaid - The program of medical care in cases of urgent need (for example - trauma, heart attack, accident) to any categories of the population, regardless of immigration status. Under this program, assistance will also be provided to people without status and without documents, including tourists.

HHC options - A program whereby anyone can get help at a full-time hospital in New York (NYC Health Hospitals). Eligibility criteria: low income and no other insurance

Useful links

About basic insurance plan (in Russian).

About emergency care (in Russian).

About HHC options (in Russian).

Guide on insurance and free medicine for migrants and refugees in New York (in English).

List of placeswhere you can get insurance through an agent.

The network of hospitals in New York.

Mount Sinai / Beth Israel hospital system.

Clinic Callen Lorde (specializes in LGBT patients and HIV-positive people, provides services to people without insurance).

Read also on ForumDaily:

10 steps to take immediately after moving to the USA

6 medical insurance facts that every New York State resident would like to know

Personal experience: cons of the Medicaid program

10 life hacking for new immigrants in the US

5 ways to save on Medicare insurance

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