Immigrant Health Care in WA

Health coverage and care options in Washington State differ depending on your citizenship and immigration status. New federal changes are impacting immigrant health care access and privacy.

Learn more about your options and rights below.

To request a speaker for your community on these changes or resources in a different language, please contact nohla@nohla.org.

Health Care and Coverage Options

If you are not a citizen of the United States, your options for health care and coverage will differ based on your immigration status. There are many different programs available, but here are some key things to know.

  • All Washingtonians can shop for health coverage on WA Healthplanfinder regardless of immigration status. People without federal immigration status can purchase plans and access Cascade Care Savings by connecting with a Navigator – learn more at WA Pathways. Learn more about identity proofing from WA Healthplanfinder in 9 languages.
  • Washington launched the Apple Health Expansion in 2024. This Medicaid-like program is for Washington adults with low-income who are not eligible for Apple Health or other federally-subsidized health coverage programs due to immigration status. While the Apple Health Expansion is currently closed to new enrollment, people can apply for an opportunity to be considered when space becomes available. Learn more from the Health Care Authority in 18 languages.
  • Important: Recent changes to federal law newly exclude many lawfully present immigrants from Apple Health/Medicaid, Medicare, and federal cost assistance through WA Healthplanfinder. Learn more about how the federal H.R. 1 law changes immigrant health access from NoHLA and the Health Care Authority.

Get free help understanding your health coverage and care options from a nonprofit Navigator in your community. You can search by preferred language and location.

If you don’t have an affordable health coverage option, learn more about how you can still get care.

Data Privacy

There are new federal government policies that can impact privacy and safety when immigrants access health care.

Starting in 2025, the federal health agency tried to share private Apple Health/Medicaid data with the Department of Homeland Security. Washington State has sued to protect the privacy of Washingtonians and information is changing rapidly. Check back frequently for updates.

  • Learn more about how Apple Health/Medicaid data is being shared with the federal government.
  • The Health Benefit Exchange (WA Healthplanfinder) confirmed June 16, 2025 that individual market customers are not included in Medicaid data: What we know today is that information on individual market customers, including 1332 waiver enrollees, is not included in Medicaid data. We will provide further updates when we learn more and will continue to evaluate for any impact for Washington Healthplanfinder customers.
  • Learn more from NoHLA: 4 Things You Should Know About Data Privacy & Public Programs in Washington (August 2026)

Using Health Programs and Public Charge

Many immigrants can safely use public benefits, including government health care programs. However, federal “public charge” rules are changing rapidly. Learn more below and check back regularly for more updates. For individual advice about public charge, please speak to an immigration attorney.

Getting Language Services

You have a right to free language services when you apply for health coverage, communicate with your health plan, and access medical services.

You can ask for a language interpreter, written information translated into the language you need, and disability accommodations like Braille or large print.

Find immigration help

See this list of free and low-cost attorneys or search for an attorney in your area at the National Immigration Legal Services Directory or the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).