Health/ Medical

• Health Insurance
• Insurance Programs in Georgia
• Immigrant Eligibility
• How to Enroll
• Options for Undocumented Immigrants
• Free or low cost clinics

If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible immigrant, you may qualify for healthcare. To find out if you are an eligible immigrant click here to download a chart in PDF format.

Raksha caseworkers may be able to assist you with access to healthcare and health materials.

Health Insurance

Healthcare in the United States can be very costly. Many immigrants, especially those with H-1 visas or other temporary visa, low paid workers, and small business owners are among the uninsured. Realizing the importance of healthcare through all majority and minority groups, there are free or low cost insurances one can use to take better care of himself/herself. That insurance does help you pay for your visits to the doctor, (dentist and regular physician) and sometimes for prescription drugs also.

Public Insurance Programs in Georgia

1) Peachcare For Kids: This health insurance covers uninsured children through the age of 18 from low-income families of Georgia. Your children are eligible for Peachcare health insurance if the following describes you and your family

U.S. citizens, certain qualified legal residents, refugees or asylees who reside in Georgia
* Age 18 and under (Eligible until 19th birthday)
* Uninsured
* Family income less than or equal to 235% of the federal poverty level, $39,000 for a family of 3 and $47,000 for a family of 4.

For more information regarding detailed eligibility criteria, insurance benefits, application procedure, medical costs, community health centers, and health concerns please visit this link http://www.peachcare.org/

2) Medicaid: Medicaid Health Insurance is available for low income families who cannot afford medical care and it can help you pay for your doctor, clinic, or other health care provider. There is an eligibility criteria for Medicaid just like other health insurance programs. The eligibility criteria includes:

Permanent resident or lawfully legal immigrant (for children’s insurance only the children’s immigrant status is important, not the parents’)

If at least one of the following is true

• You think you are pregnant
• You are a child or teenager age 18 or under
• You are over the age of 65
• You are blind
• You are disabled
• You need nursing home care.
  • Other situations that may make you eligible:      
    • If you are leaving welfare and need health coverage.
    • If you are a family with children under 18 and have very low or no income and few resources.
    • If your income is higher than the limits and you have medical bills you owe (and you are pregnant, under 18 or over 65, blind, or disable
      • For more information regarding detailed eligibility criteria, Medicaid’s application process, health costs, doctor coverage, legal documents needed, payments and more health related concerns please visit the website at http://www.parenttoparentofga.org/roadmap/insurance/insurancemedicaid.htm

Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance is usually provided by one’s employer or can be purchased on an individual basis. To see a list of private insurance providers and details on how to get insured, please go to this link

Immigrants are entitled to receive health insurance based on their income, gender, age, and immigrant status. Some of the additional health related services are:

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  • BBH (Babies Born Healthy): A program for low-income, un insured and under  insured pregnant women to receive prenatal services as early in the pregnancy as possible. To determine your eligibility please click on this link
  • PRS (Pregnancy Related Services): This is a Medicaid funded program for new mothers and infants that aims on reducing infant illness and death rates and educating women on issues of breastfeeding, SIDS reduction, infant feeding, child routine care, and family planning. Please visit this website for details
  • Georgia’s Family Planning Health Program: This program educates men and women about planning their children to better manage their basic needs of healthcare. For more on this program please visit this link

4) GAADAP (Georgia AIDS Drug Assistance Program):  This program is for low-income, HIV positive population. Please see this link

5) If you would like to explore more information of these programs or other  choices please call 211 and ask them for resources.

How to Enroll

How do I get health insurance?
If you are employed and your employer has insurance plans, you can enroll in one of them. Those will be private health insurance programs. If you are low-income, you can apply for Medicaid  and Peachcare  (dependent on eligibility criteria).
Where can I go to enroll in public health insurance programs?
Community Medicaid offices, some social service organizations, health plans, hospital-based enrollers, and some  Health Departments can help you enroll in public health insurance programs. You can call 211 and ask for resources relating public health insurance programs

Options for Undocumented Immigrants

I am an undocumented immigrant. Do I have any options for health care?
Yes. Undocumented immigrants are eligible for Emergency Medicaid. There are also clinics that can provide you with needed healthcare. 
If I am not eligible for any public health insurance, where can I go for low-cost care?
Please call 211 for further resources. You can also call the Raksha office for further assistance.

Click here for free or low cost health clinics….