Health Insurance HQ: An Update on the Health Care Landscape | Entertainment Community Fund

Health Insurance HQ: An Update on the Health Care Landscape

Welcome to Health Insurance HQ—coming to you from the experts at The Actors Fund's Artists Health Insurance Resource Center and special guests!

Dear Friends,

I hope that you are all getting through the winter months and are looking forward to spring.

I want to share with you a change up ahead regarding Medicaid and some other public benefits.

The Department of Homeland Security announced that a new Public Charge rule is now in effect as of February 24, 2020. The new rule will affect some immigrants whose use of the following public benefits may be a barrier to receiving a visa or green card: Medicaid, SNAP (“Food Stamps”), Federal Public Housing, Section 8 assistance, and cash assistance programs like SSI and TANF.

In immigration law, public charge is a ground of “inadmissibility.” Grounds for inadmissibility only apply to those seeking entry at our borders or those applying for a green card (lawful permanent residence).

It is important to understand that Medicaid coverage for most immigrants is not included in the new Public Charge test. Only federally–funded Medicaid is included, and many categories are exempt under the rules.

Receiving insurance coverage through New York’s Essential Plan, Child Health Plus or Qualified Health Plans through insurance Marketplaces (such as Covered California, healthcare.gov, and New York State of Health) will not affect a person’s immigration options. Those enrolled in Medicare Extra Help will also not be affected by this. It will also not impact pregnant women or children under 21 who receive Medicaid and those who have Emergency Medicaid. Additionally, asylees, refugees and visa holders who are victims of trafficking and other crimes are entirely exempt from the Public Charge Rule.

Current green card holders who are receiving Medicaid will only be subject to the public charge determination if they leave the country either (a) for more than 6 months or (b) with certain criminal convictions, and then want to come back to the United States.

Please note that the rule is not retroactive, so it only counts benefits received on or after February 24, 2020.

If you are unsure as an immigrant if you are affected by this new rule, please contact your immigration lawyer. For confidential, free or low-cost immigration assistance call:

The Office for New Americans at 1.800.566.7636 for free or low cost high quality representation/counseling services.

The Legal Aid Society at 1.844.955.3452 (New York City residents only).

To learn more and find out ways you may get involved in this issue, visit Protecting Immigrant Families.

Yours in good health,


Janet Pearl
Senior Health benefits Specialist

Do you work in performing arts and entertainment and have questions about health insurance? The Actors Fund provides assistance nationally. Contact our regional office closest to you to speak to a counselor.

New York City
917.281.5975

Los Angeles
855.491.3357

Don’t forget to use the resources section of our website. It contains tools to help you make decisions about your health insurance, including new online tutorials on how to choose providers and how to read an Explanation of Benefits. In addition, you’ll find an updated Stage Managers National Health Directory, our national online directory of health care providers recommended by industry professionals that can be used by theaters and touring companies. For these resources and more, visit actorsfund.org/HealthServices. You can also find out more about enrollment assistance and upcoming health insurance seminars near you!