If you are US citizen, either through birth or naturalization you are eligible to purchase medical insurance. A private healthcare plan or Market Place, in addition to other benefits that may be financed with federal funds such as Medicaid, or financed via your home State for low-income citizens in New York as the new Essential Plan.
Important: If you are currently not enrolled in a healthcare plan, the last day to apply for the Market Place insurance is January 31, 2016.
How to select the best health care plan?
At the very least a basic health care plan is needed otherwise you may subject to pay a fine of $695 or 2.5% of your income.
To see which health plan is best for you and if you qualify for public health insurance as well as other State benefits, please go to: www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
Fraud Protection:
If you are not a legal immigrant nor a citizen (although you may have a visa or permanent residency) please follow these tips to protect yourself from fraud:
- Never claim you are a US Citizen, this is considered fraudulent and you will be considered inadmissible if at a later date you apply for permanent residency or citizenship. Many have fallen victim to fraud, who charge a monthly fee, who then falsify information of citizenship so you qualify for Medicaid via Market Place. Only US Citizens are eligible for health plan insurance from this entity however other options exist for immigrants living in New York State.
- Don’t pay a fee to avoid an insurance health plan, if you filed your taxes using a Tax ID Number (TIN) and you were told that you had to fine for not having medical insurance, you may receive your money back.
Available Options for non-citizens immigrants in New York:
- Pre-certify for Emergency Medicaid: Any New York resident may receive emergency medical treatment due to a sudden and severe condition. You may be pre-certified for this service and thereby assisting you in the financial certification process of emergency coverage when the emergency occurred.
- Medicaid for DACA: Under the PRUCOL law, New York may use State funds to provide Medicaid benefits for DACA recipients. To apply please contact your local Medicaid office nearest to you.
- Child Health Plus: for youth 18 years and younger, to apply please go this webpage: NY State of Health.
- Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC): Income based health care provided.
- Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC): Affordable health care provided or income ased.
At Mercedes Cano we are here to help you. For a consultation of your case, please contact us at 718-505-8506 or with our contact form.
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