Who can apply for coverage through Explore Health?
To enroll in health coverage through Explore Health, you must:
- Live in Oregon
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or have an allowed immigration status
To qualify for financial help through Explore Health, you must have a qualifying immigration status:
- Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
- Cuban or Haitian entrant
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau)
What immigration statuses qualify to enroll through Explore Health?
You may qualify if you have an eligible immigration status, including:
- Lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
- Refugee
- Asylee
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Student or work visa holder
- COFA migrant
- Deferred action status
- Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status
- Certain survivors of domestic violence or trafficking
Some people may also qualify while an immigration application or status is still being processed.
If you are applying for asylum
Some applicants with pending asylum applications may qualify for coverage.
You may qualify if:
- You have work authorization
- Or you are under age 14 with a pending asylum application
You may need to provide immigration documents
Some applicants may be asked to provide documents to confirm immigration status.
Common examples include:
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Employment Authorization Document (Work Permit)
- Arrival/Departure Record (I-94)
- Foreign passport
- Visa documents
- Refugee or asylum paperwork
- Notices or letters from USCIS or immigration court
You may still qualify even if:
- Your application is pending
- Your status was recently updated
- You do not have every document available right away
If Explore Health needs more information, we'll let you know what documents to send and how to submit them safely.
Immigration information is protected
Applying for health coverage through Explore Health does not affect immigration applications for:
- You
- Your family members
- Anyone else in your household
Information you provide is used only to determine eligibility for health coverage and financial help.
Will applying for health coverage affect my immigration status or a public-charge decision?
Applying for health coverage through Explore Health does not automatically make someone a “public charge." However, federal immigration rules about public charge are changing, so the answer can depend on a person's individual circumstances and the type of immigration application they are making.
If you are eligible, you can apply for health insurance through Explore Health and may also qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium and other out-of-pocket costs.
Family members may apply for health coverage even if other members of the household are not applying. You do not need to apply for coverage for everyone in your household.
Immigration rules can be complicated and are changing. If you are concerned about how applying for or receiving health coverage could affect your immigration situation, consider talking with a qualified immigration attorney or an organization that provides immigration legal services before making a decision.
Oregon residency requirements
To enroll through Explore Health, you must live in Oregon Most people use a home address on their application.
If you do not have a permanent address, you may still apply using:
- A shelter address
- A social service agency address
- The address of a friend or family member
You may also confirm by phone that you live in Oregon when applying through the Explore Health Customer Assistance Center or a certified enrollment partner.
You do not need a home to apply
People experiencing homelessness can still apply for:
- Health coverage
- Financial help
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP) programs
Free help is available to complete an application.
Need help?
Free enrollment help is available if you:
- Have questions about immigration eligibility
- Need language support
- Need help completing an application
- Do not have a permanent address
Explore Health can help you understand your options and find coverage that fits your life.