Immigrants who are unable to afford ACA-compliant coverage might find that a short-term health insurance plan will fit their needs, and it’s far better than being uninsured. Short-term plans are not sold through the health insurance exchanges, so the exchange requirement that enrollees provide proof of legal residency does not apply to short-term plans.
Short-term plans provide coverage that’s less comprehensive than ACA-compliant plans, and for the most part, they do not provide any coverage for pre-existing conditions. But for healthy applicants who can qualify for coverage, a short-term plan is far better than no coverage at all. The premiums for short-term plans are far lower than the unsubsidized premiums for ACA-compliant plans, but most lawfully present immigrants will qualify for premium subsidies in the exchange, especially through the end of 2025 as a result of the American Rescue Plan’s subsidy enhancements (which have been extended through 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act).