Apple Health Expansion

What is Apple Health Expansion?

Apple Health Expansion is a full-scope health care coverage program for people age 19 or older with certain immigration statuses, including those without one. Clients who do not qualify for other Apple Health programs based on their immigration status may be eligible for Apple Health Expansion. Apple Health Expansion benefits and services are similar to regular Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage.

For detailed information about eligibility, services, and coverage, view the Apple Health Expansion client page.

Enrollment is limited and the enrollment cap has been met. View the enrollment cap announcement for updates.

Available health care coverage for immigrants

Other Apple Health coverage

If you need to go to the doctor now, you can check to see if you qualify for:

• Apple Health for Kids
• Apple Health for pregnant individuals
• After-Pregnancy Coverage (APC)
• Alien Emergency Medical (AEM)
• Medical Care Services (MCS)
• Family Planning Only

Qualified Health Plans and Cascade Savings options for immigrants

All Washingtonians, regardless of immigration status, now have the opportunity to shop for and purchase qualified health and dental plans. Learn more about immigrant health care and other cost saving options.

Qualified Health Plan with tax credits

Open enrollment is November 1, 2026 - January 15, 2026. These health plans meet quality, cost, and access standards under the Affordable Care Act and are available through Washington Healthplanfinder™ meet these standards.

Cascade Care Savings

Due to federal restrictions, people without lawful presence will not be eligible for federal subsidies, but may be eligible for Cascade Care Savings, a state-funded subsidy available to all individuals and families in Washington who make 250% of the federal poverty level or less — $33,975 per year for a one-person household and $57,575 for a three-person household.

Special enrollment period

Some life events let you sign up for a health plan outside of open enrollment. This is called a special enrollment period. Life events can include job loss, birth, adoption, marriage and more.

Outreach

HCA is coordinating outreach with stakeholders, community organizations, Health Benefit Exchange (the Exchange), managed care organizations (MCO), and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Temporary Community Engagement Advisory Committee

The Temporary Community Engagement Advisory Committee is a collaboration between HCA, the Exchange, and DSHS that will help guide future work around the expansion of health care coverage for undocumented individuals.

Participating organizations and individuals with lived experience

• Pacific Islander Health Alliance NW (PIHA-NW)
• Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center
• Here We Go!
• Pierce County Project Access
• Pan African Community Services
• Latinos En Spokane
• Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition of Washington
• Northwest Health Law Advocates
• Latino Community Fund (LCF)
• Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation
• Empower Next Generations
• King County Promotores Network (KCPN)
• Human Rights Protection and Global Peace
• The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
• Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington
• Center for MultiCultural Health

Toolkits

These toolkits are designed for community-based organizations, navigators, and other partners who assist uninsured populations to help spread the word about how to access and understand their services covered under Apple Health Expansion. You can reuse content shared in these toolkits or use it to guide your own.

Communications toolkit

View the Apple Health Expansion communications toolkit for key messages, letter samples, and client resources.

Privacy

Apple Health client data

HCA sends information to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for people who are enrolled in Apple Health programs that get federal funding, including Apple Health Expansion. This is required by law. Apple Health clients may view the client frequently asked questions (FAQ) (available in 20 languages) to learn more about their privacy and how their information is shared. For the most up to date information regarding use of Apple Health client data, view the Apple Health data privacy document.

On August 13, 2025, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using Medicaid data obtained from Washington and 19 other plaintiff states for immigration enforcement purposes.

On December 29, 2025, a federal court ruled that CMS could provide DHS data on individuals who are not lawfully present. In order for CMS to provide client data to DHS, DHS must provide CMS a list of individuals they believe to be not lawfully present.

The federal court decision limits CMS data sharing to name, citizenship and immigration status, address, phone number, and Medicaid ID number with DHS. CMS cannot release medical records or information about individuals that are lawfully present.

This is an active lawsuit, and HCA will continue to update this webpage and resources as updates become available.

We collect, use, and share the following information about you:

• Your personally identifying information, such as your name, address, and social security number.
• Information relating to your enrollment in Apple Health, such as what program you’re enrolled in, start and end dates of your coverage, your household size, and your income.
• Information relating to your health, such as services you have received, clinical notes, prescriptions, and what health care providers you have visited.

Apple Health Expansion will use existing Apple Health program data privacy and protection standards to ensure clients’ identity and information remain confidential. View HCA's notice of privacy practices for more information.

Does applying for health coverage affect someone's immigration status?

Under current law, getting health insurance in Washington State does not affect immigration status or citizenship. DSHS, the Exchange, and HCA are committed to providing pathways to health coverage for all Washingtonians, regardless of immigration status. In response to concerns from affected communities; HCA and the Exchange issued a letter to community partners highlighting the following:

• Options for immigrant health coverage including DACA recipients, available throughWashington Healthplanfinder™.
• Sharing our continued responsibility and commitment to protect and keep immigrant applicant information confidential.
• Ensuring that free, confidential help is available from trained, local assisters in over 200 languages available through the Washington Healthplanfinder™ Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633.

Read the community partner letter developed in partnership between DSHS, the Exchange, and HCA to learn more. We encourage community-based organizations and immigrant health advocates to share this letter with their networks.