Last checked: 24 October 2026
Health cover after 1 October 2026: RMA versus Medicaid
Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)
- RMA is for people not eligible for Medicaid and provides the same coverage as Medicaid [source].
- From 1 October 2026, ORR provides up to 12 months of RMA for people whose ORR eligibility date is on or after 1 January 2026 [source, source].
- States had up to 30 days to implement [source].
- Conditions include not being eligible for Medicaid and meeting income and resource rules [source].
Medicaid
- The ACF fact sheet says refugees may be eligible for Medicaid [source].
- ORR's letter cites "reduced access to other benefits" as a reason reliance on ORR assistance is rising [source].
- Exactly how refugee Medicaid eligibility changed on 1 October 2026: not stated by the official sources this site uses. Ask your state Medicaid office or resettlement provider.
What to do
- Apply for health cover straight away through your resettlement provider or state benefits office [source].
- Already enrolled in RMA? Ask how the 12-month period under DCL 26-05 applies to you [source].
- Problems: contact the State Refugee Health Coordinator on ACF's state contacts list [source].