Immigrant Health Toolkit

What is the Immigrant Health Toolkit?

The Immigrant Health Toolkit compiles information to help guide community members, providers, and advocates in addressing questions and issues regarding access to health coverage and care for immigrants in Massachusetts. 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:

  • Guides to Immigrant Eligibility for Health Insurance
  • Attorney General Guidance
  • Talking Points for Enrollment Assisters
  • Referral List for Immigration Legal Support
  • Educational Resources Spreadsheet (compiled with the help of IHAC)
  • Information on Public Charge

Immigrant eligibility for health insurance in MA

This diagram lays out the coverage that immigrants may be eligible for based on their immigration status:

Immigrant Eligibility by Status (link to come)

The passage of the Reconciliation Bill in Congress and the CMS Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule in 2025 will result in several changes to immigrants’ eligibility for health insurance in the coming months and years.

This document provides a timeline for when these changes will occur:

Timeline of Eligibility Changes

Beginning in January 2026, lawfully present immigrants with income below 100% FPL will no longer be eligible for Premium Tax Credits through the Marketplace. This is one of the first changes from the Reconciliation Law to take effect. As a result of this provision, the Health Connector is eliminating Plan Type 1 on January 1, 2026.

The following guide lists potential coverage options for individuals who are impacted by this change:

Plan Type 1 Fact Sheet

Massachusetts Attorney General Guidance

Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts

Know Your Rights: ICE Enforcement

English

Spanish

Portuguese

Haitian Creole

Chinese

Vietnamese

English

Spanish

Portuguese

Haitian Creole

Chinese

Vietnamese

One-Pager for Health Care Providers

CMS-DHS Data Sharing

Talking Points for Enrollment Assisters regarding the July 2025 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data-sharing agreement. Updated in August 2025 to reflect the temporary injunction granted to 20 states (including Massachusetts) who filed a lawsuit in response to this data-sharing. Currently available in English. Links for other languages coming soon.

English

Spanish

Portuguese

Haitian Creole

French

Immigration Help Referral List

Statewide list of providers for legal help with immigration issues. Developed by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI).

English

Spanish

Resources

Resources for CBOs

This Mass.gov website contains information and resources geared towards community-based organizations who provide support to immigrant families in crisis.

Resource Spreadsheet

This spreadsheet is regularly updated with educational resources and community supports for immigrants and providers in Massachusetts. Many of the resources listed have been collected with the support of the Immigrant Health Access Coalition.

      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. There have been no changes to the Public Charge Rule under the current Trump administration.

Keep Your Benefits Guide