If you are a student balancing education, work and maybe even kids, health insurance may be last of your worries.
Your health matters! If you have never had health insurance before, or you are unable to stay on your parent’s policy, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the affordable, quality health care coverage available on Healthcare.gov.
Whether you suffer from stress, anxiety, sleeplessness and depression, or always get sick right around finals, a qualified health plan can connect you with mental health care, primary care and preventive screenings.
There are many policies to chose from. With subsidies, some can cost only a few dollars per month. If you’re short on time, a health insurance navigator can help you with the Health Insurance Marketplace (AKA Healthcare.gov) FOR FREE.
Open Enrollment for Healthcare.gov ended Jan. 15, 2025 but you still may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Connect with a Navigator!
Questions about health insurance? Health insurance navigators are ready to help.
To schedule an appointment, call 980-256-3782 or visit ncnavigator.net.
For assistance statewide, please call 855-733-3711.
Latest News About the Affordable Care Act:
- Our Health Insurance Navigators Are Leading the Way in Healthcare Access, and Now They’re Award-Winning
- Norma’s Story
- Advocacy Center Health Insurance Navigators Recognized With Consortium Member Impact Award
- Medicaid in NC: What You Need to Know
- U.S. Court Ruling Blocks Marketplace Access for DACA Recipients in Some States – No Impact in North Carolina
Open Enrollment Period FAQs
Want to learn more information? Check out our Open Enrollment Period FAQs. We have answers to common questions including:
- Is there still a penalty for not having health insurance?
- Which health insurance companies will be offering plans in 2025 in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union counties?
- Can I just wait and have my current plan automatically renewed?
- I have COBRA, but it’s too expensive. Can I drop it during Open Enrollment and enroll in a Marketplace plan instead?
- What if I need help?
Helpful Links
Free and low-cost clinics for low-income, uninsured individuals
Healthcare.gov Plans & Prices Tool
Preview your estimated plans and prices
Income Estimator
A list of acceptable income sources and how to estimate your expected income
MedAssist
Free prescription medication for low-income, uninsured individuals
Coverage Resources for Immigrants
Healthcare resources are available no matter what your status may be. If you are eligible for financial assistance on the Health Insurance Marketplace, appointments are available in Spanish with CCLA’s Healthcare Navigators. (When you make an appointment, just select “Spanish” as your language of choice.) Free interpretation is available in 150 languages as well.
Watch the video below to learn the rules on health care coverage for immigrants, and keep scrolling for more!
Below, you’ll see more detailed information based your particular situation:
Undocumented Immigrants or DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival)
You may be eligible for Emergency Medicaid and can utilize low-cost and free clinics.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival)
Starting on Nov. 1, 2024, DACA recipients and some other Lawfully Present Residents, given that they meet all other requirements, will be eligible to participate in Marketplace through Qualified Health Plan Certification and Basic Health Program.
Since DACA recipients are not eligible for Medicaid, they will be eligible for Premium tax Credits and Cost Share Reductions even when they do not have income at or above 100% Federal Poverty Line.
Click here to learn more.
Lawfully Present Immigrant (Permanent resident less than five years, or TPS, VAWA, U Visa, applicants for Asylum, SIJS, F1 visa and many others)
- You may qualify for financial assistance on the Health Insurance Marketplace even if your household income is below $15,060 for a family of one or $31,200 for a family of four.
Refugee, Asylee, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, T visa or Permanent Resident for More Than Five Years
- You may qualify for financial assistance on the Health Insurance Marketplace if your household income is between $ 15,060 – $60,240 for a family of one or $ 31,200 – $ 124,800 for a family of four.
See the following charts for more information:
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity number CMS-NAV-24-001 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.