Changes to Medicaid Eligibility for Non-Citizens
Last updated September 11, 2026
New federal laws will stop Medicaid for some people who are not U.S. citizens. Starting October 1, 2026, only the following groups of non-citizens will be eligible for Medicaid:
- Lawfully permanent residents (Green Card holders) after the five-year wait, if it applies;
- Cuban/Haitian entrants;
- COFA migrants (i.e. people from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau);
- Children under 19; and
- Pregnant or post-partum people
How will I know if this change will affect my Medicaid?
If your Medicaid will end because of this new federal law, the State of Rhode Island will tell you before the change happens. Open any notices you get from the State of Rhode Island. You will get a notice:
- In your HealthyRhode account
- And by mail, if you choose paper notices
If you don’t respond, or are no longer eligible because of your immigration status, you will get another notice. The notice will include:
- Other ways you can get healthcare
- Information on how to appeal if you think the decision is wrong
Review samples of the notices being sent to impacted Medicaid members.
Some people who are not U.S. citizens must wait five years after coming to the U.S. before they can get Medicaid. This rule is called the five-year bar. H.R.1 does not change this rule. The same people who had to wait before will still have to wait after October 1, 2026.
People who do not have to wait include:
- Refugees, including victims of trafficking
- Asylees
- Certain Ukrainian or Afghan parolees
- People granted withholding of removal
- Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
- Amerasian entrants
- Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families
- Certain American Indians born abroad
These groups can get Medicaid right away. If they later become lawful permanent residents (LPRs), they can still get coverage right away.
You can still buy a health insurance plan for you or your family, but you may not be able to get financial help because of federal changes.
- Look at your options and apply at HealthSourceRI.com or call 1‑855‑840‑4774.
- You can also explore health insurance options through your job or a parent or spouse’s job, and you may find you are able to purchase coverage directly through an insurance carrier like Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island or Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
There are places you can go to get healthcare no matter your insurance or immigration status.
- Community Health Centers in Rhode Island: rihca.org
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics: bhddh.ri.gov/CCBHC
- Rhode Island Free Clinic: rifreeclinic.org
- Clinica Esperanza: aplacetobehealthy.org
- Local hospitals are required by law to give emergency medical care for serious or life‑threatening problems, no matter your insurance or immigration status.
- The Rhode Island Dental Association partners with organizations to bring affordable dental care to Rhode Islanders. Learn about free and low-cost dental care options.
More Information & Shareable Resources
Download and share this information as a flyer: English | Spanish | Portuguese | Arabic | Cape Verdean Creole | French | Haitian Creole | Khmer | Laotian | Russian | Simplified Chinese | Swahili
Download and share answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs): English | Spanish | Portuguese | Arabic | Cape Verdean Creole | French | Haitian Creole | Khmer | Laotian | Russian | Simplified Chinese | Swahili
Partners and providers, help your clients and patients understand if they will be impacted by these changes and share information about other health insurance and health care options. Download our screener tool and resource guide: English | Spanish | Portuguese | Arabic | Cape Verdean Creole | French | Haitian Creole | Khmer | Laotian | Russian | Simplified Chinese | Swahili
Review samples of the notices being sent to impacted Medicaid members.