Healthcare in the United States
How to get health insurance in the US, what to know as immigrants, and what happens to your health cover in Israel.
✓ Checked against the sources: October 2026⚠️ This isn't medical advice. It's general information checked against official sources.
How you get health insurance
- Through your job: many employers offer health insurance for employees and their families (job-based).
- Buying your own plan in the Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. Regular Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15 each year.
- If you move to the US from abroad, you usually qualify for a Special Enrollment Period: you have 60 days from the move to pick a plan.
Several large insurers operate (for example UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna and Kaiser Permanente). Compare cover, deductibles and the doctor network before you choose.
Source: HealthCare.gov · HealthCare.gov: Special Enrollment Period
Health insurance for immigrants
Immigrants who are lawfully present, including green card holders and people with a valid visa, can buy Marketplace coverage. From 1.1.2027, Marketplace savings are only for green card holders and a few other groups. Others can still buy a plan, but without savings.
🔒 2 more sections in this guide
- 🗺️ Medicaid differs between states
- 🇮🇱 Your Israeli health cover while abroad
The rest of this guide is for signed-in users. Signing up is free, with just your email.