Immigrant Health Toolkit

What is the Immigrant Health Toolkit?

The Immigrant Health Toolkit compiles useful information to guide community members, providers and advocates in dealing with a wide range of questions and issues that could become a barrier for immigrants accessing coverage and care. This is a project of the Immigrant Health Access Coalition (IHAC), and it is possible thanks to the efforts of Health Care For All (HCFA), Health Law Advocates (HLA), the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. These organizations also lead the Massachusetts Chapter of the Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign.

What you’ll find below:

  • COVID-19 vaccine FAQ
  • Public Charge information
  • Information about immigrants rights to health care
  • Sensitive location information

Spanish

Portuguese

Vietnamese

Haitian Creole

Simplified Chinese

Simplified Chinese

Traditional Chinese

Haitian Creole

Spanish

Arabic

Russian

Albanian

Vietnamese

Cape Verdean

Portuguese

Provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Public Charge Rule

After December 23, 2022 a new rule promulgated by the Biden administration will be in effect that codifies many of the provisions included in the guidance that allows many immigrants to continue accessing programs they currently qualify for without fear of immigration repercussion. This means that it is safe for immigrants and their families to access health, nutrition, and housing programs for which they are eligible. For more information, read the resources page.

Protecting Immigrant Families: The ABCs of Public Charge

Cabo Verdean Creole

Haitian Creole

Vietnamese

Chinese

Traditional Chinese

Portuguese

Somali

Spanish

French

Arabic

Korean

Haitian Creole

Vietnamese

Chinese

Spanish

Arabic

Immigration service providers’ referral sheets

These resource sheets are regional lists of clinics and providers who offer resources and immigration-related services.

Greater Boston

Metro West /

Central Massachusetts

North Shore/

Northeastern Massachusetts

Southeastern Massachusetts +

Cape & Islands

Western Massachusetts

Immigrant eligibility for health insurance in MA

This handout details what benefits immigrants may be able to access by immigration status.

Insurance Eligibility by Immigration Status Diagram

English

What is ‘PRUCOL’

English

English

Consumer Version

Spanish

Consumer Version

Portuguese

Consumer Version

English

Provider Version
The expanded provider version includes additional tips for applying:

How to apply for health insurance in MA

This handout contains information on how to apply for health insurance and where to seek further support:

Know your health care rights

This handout explains some of the basics that come along with applying for health care in Massachusetts as an immigrant.

English

Illustrated Handout

Spanish

Illustrated Handout

Portuguese

Illustrated Handout

Issues surrounding sensitive locations.

English

Immigration Enforcement & patients & providers’ rights

English

Protecting Patients

What is a sensitive location?

Immigration enforcement agencies generally avoid enforcement action at “sensitive locations”. This document provides information about legal issues surrounding sensitive locations.