Medicaid in Washington: what you may be able to apply for
🔎 Will this affect your green card?
Regular Medicaid does NOT count in the public charge test — receiving it does not affect your green card or immigration application. See details →
What it is
Public health insurance for low-income people, jointly funded by the federal and state governments. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, pregnancy, and children's care. States run it under federal rules, and each state has its own name and details (California calls it Medi-Cal).
Apple Health (Washington Medicaid); Apple Health for Kids (under 19); Apple Health Expansion (undocumented adults 19+, enrollment capped and currently closed)
Who may qualify
Income limit
- Adults 19-64 (ACA expansion / New Adult)≤ 138% FPLStandard Apple Health for Adults (New Adult) requires a qualifying immigration status; undocumented adults are covered only via the capped, currently-closed Apple Health Expansion (also ≤138% FPL).
- Children 0-18 (under 19)≤ 215% FPLApple Health for Kids: free at ≤215% FPL; with small monthly premiums up to 265% FPL (CHIP T1, $20/month) and 317% FPL (CHIP T2, $30/month). Children under 19 are eligible regardless of immigration status. (Standards effective Apr 1, 2026.)
- Pregnancy (any age)≤ 215% FPLApple Health for pregnant individuals: ≤215% FPL (Categorically Needy), regardless of immigration status; coverage continues through 12 months postpartum via After-Pregnancy Coverage (APC). Above 215% FPL, Medically Needy coverage (with spenddown) may apply. (Standards effective Apr 1, 2026.)
- Aged/Blind/Disabled (65+/ABD, SSI-related, non-MAGI)SSI-related/non-MAGI (no single fixed %FPL): income measured against the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR) — for 2026, $994/month for one person and $1,491/month for a couple; with a resource (asset) test of $2,000 (single) / $3,000 (couple). Those over income may qualify for Medically Needy (MNIL $994, with spenddown). Determined via the county/DSHS, not Healthplanfinder. (Official HCA 2026 standards.)
Immigration-status rules in this state
Washington covers immigrants unevenly by group. (1) Children under 19 — eligible for Apple Health for Kids regardless of immigration status if income-eligible. (2) Pregnant people — eligible for Apple Health for pregnant individuals and After-Pregnancy Coverage (through 12 months postpartum) regardless of immigration status. (3) Adults 19-64 and 65+ — standard Apple Health requires a qualifying immigration status (e.g., a lawful permanent resident past the 5-year bar); undocumented and other non-qualifying adults do NOT get standard Apple Health. 🔴 For undocumented adults there is a separate state-funded program, Apple Health Expansion, covering Washington residents age 19+ with income up to 138% FPL regardless of status — BUT it is capped at 13,000 enrollees and enrollment is CURRENTLY CLOSED because the cap has been met; the state has said it will not reopen enrollment while the federal H.R.1 changes are implemented. If you apply and are denied because the cap was met, you need take no further steps but may still be randomly selected if space opens. Undocumented or non-qualifying immigrants who cannot enroll can instead buy Qualified Health/Dental Plans (QHP/QDP) through Washington Healthplanfinder (a federal 1332 waiver lets people without a federally recognized status shop there) and may use Emergency Medical (AEM). 🔴 Federal change: under H.R.1 (Section 71109), effective October 1, 2026, the "qualified noncitizen" definition narrows to lawful permanent residents, certain Cuban/Haitian entrants, and COFA (Micronesia/Marshall Islands/Palau) islanders; refugees, asylees, trafficking victims, conditional entrants, people whose removal has been withheld, VAWA self-petitioners, and various parolees (including Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees) lose federally funded Apple Health after September 30, 2026 unless they have adjusted to lawful permanent resident — but children, pregnant people, and those within 12 months postpartum keep Apple Health regardless of status. This is a fast-changing area — check the latest official HCA guidance.
How to apply
What you'll need
Proof of identity, income, Washington residency, and household size; immigration documents as applicable (no ID is required to apply). Children under 19 and pregnant individuals are not denied for lack of a qualifying immigration status. See Washington Healthplanfinder / official HCA guidance for the exact document list.
Timeline
Under federal Medicaid rules, an eligibility decision is generally made within 45 days (up to 90 days for disability-based cases). For Apple Health Expansion, coverage begins on the first day of the month you applied. Retroactive coverage follows federal Medicaid rules; confirm WA-specific timing with the official program.
Go to the official application →Washington Healthplanfinder (official online application, for ages 19-64 / MAGI groups) · also the WAPlanfinder app or 1-855-923-4633; ages 65+/aged-blind-disabled via Washington Connection or DSHS 1-877-501-2233
Will it affect your green card? (Public charge)
✅ Regular Medicaid does NOT count in the public charge test — receiving it does not affect your green card or immigration application.
⚠️ The one exception: Medicaid that pays for long-term institutional care (a long-term stay in a nursing facility or mental-health institution at government expense) DOES count. Everyday doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and home- and community-based care are not this exception.
➕ Because the current rule excludes all non-institutional Medicaid, Medicaid for children, pregnancy, and emergencies also does not count. In mixed-status families, eligible citizen or qualified children can safely get the care they qualify for.
Public charge is assessed only for people applying for an immigrant visa abroad, or applying for adjustment of status (a green card) inside the United States.
Many categories are exempt by law: refugees, asylees, VAWA self-petitioners, T and U visa applicants, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ), Cuban/Haitian entrants, and others.
Public charge is generally not assessed when a green-card holder renews their card or naturalizes; a returning green-card holder is assessed only in limited cases (for example, an absence of more than 180 days).
This is information only, not immigration, legal, or tax advice. Public charge and your personal status are complex — consult a licensed immigration attorney. We never tell you whether you "will" or "won't" be affected.
USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 8, Part G, Chapter 7 (benefits considered) and Chapter 3 (who it applies to) — 8 USCIS-PM G.7 / G.3; regulation 8 CFR 212.21–212.23; 2022 final rule 87 FR 55472. · 2022-12-23
Last checked: 2026-07-16
Policies can change — always check the latest official information.
This site is informational only and is not immigration, legal, or tax advice. For public charge and your personal status questions, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Medicaid in other states
See what your household may be able to apply for (Washington pre-filled · about 1 minute · runs locally, nothing uploaded)
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