Starting October 1, 2026, Indiana Medicaid will have new rules about which immigration statuses qualify for full Medicaid coverage and Presumptive Eligibility (PE). These changes are required by federal law.
Who Will Continue to Qualify?
After October 1, 2026, people may qualify for full Medicaid coverage (or Presumptive Eligibility, if otherwise eligible) if they are:
- A U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- A lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years
- A Cuban/Haitian entrant
- A Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrant
Important Exceptions
Some lawful permanent residents (green card holders) do not have to wait five years. This includes people who became lawful permanent residents after previously having:
- Refugee status
- Asylee status
- Victim of trafficking status
The five-year wait also does not apply to:
- Honorably discharged U.S. veterans who are lawful permanent residents
- Their spouses
- Unmarried surviving spouses
- Their children
Who May Be Affected?
Beginning October 1, 2026, most immigration statuses not listed above, including people who are undocumented, will no longer qualify for full Medicaid coverage or Presumptive Eligibility.
Emergency Medicaid May Still Be Available
People who do not qualify for full Medicaid because of their immigration status may still be eligible for Emergency Services Only (ESO) Medicaid, which helps cover emergency medical care.
To be considered for ESO Medicaid:
- A regular Medicaid application must be submitted.
- If approved, coverage can begin as early as the first day of the month the application was submitted.
- Some individuals may also qualify for retroactive coverage for prior months.
What Families Should Do
Families who are unsure whether these changes affect them should:
Review their current immigration status and Medicaid coverage.
Contact Indiana Medicaid Customer Assistance at 800-457-4584 for questions about eligibility.
Bottom line: Beginning October 1, 2026, fewer immigration statuses will qualify for full Indiana Medicaid coverage and Presumptive Eligibility. However, some green card holders remain exempt from the five-year waiting period, and Emergency Services Only Medicaid may still be available for people who do not qualify for full coverage.
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