New federal eligibility rules could also affect parolees, trafficking survivors and other noncitizens who currently qualify. Lawfully present pregnant women and children under 19 remain exempt.
By Hola Nebraska
Updated Sept. 8, 2026
Nebraska will change the immigration-related eligibility rules used for full Medicaid coverage on Oct. 1, a shift that could leave some refugees, asylees, parolees and other noncitizens without the comprehensive benefits they currently receive.
The new rules apply both to people who apply for Medicaid beginning Oct. 1, 2026, and to current members. Someone who no longer meets the new immigration-status requirements could lose full Medicaid coverage on that date even if their regular annual renewal is scheduled for later.
Nebraska will review information for current members before the change takes effect. When additional information is needed to determine eligibility, the state may request documents or other records. Members who no longer qualify because of their immigration status will receive an official eligibility notice.
Refugees, asylees and parolees are among the groups that could lose coverage
Beginning Oct. 1, some people who do not have lawful permanent resident status could stop qualifying for full Medicaid even though they are eligible under current rules.
Potentially affected groups include:
- refugees;
- asylees;
- parolees;
- certain survivors of domestic violence who qualify under the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA;
- trafficking survivors and certain family members;
- people granted conditional entry;
- people whose deportation or removal is being withheld;
- some veterans, active-duty service members and qualifying family members with certain noncitizen statuses;
- Native Americans born outside the United States.
The list is not exhaustive, and other immigration categories may also be affected.
Coverage will not automatically end for every person who belongs to one of these groups. Eligibility depends on the immigration status Nebraska has on record at the time of review and whether the person meets the program’s other requirements.
For example, a refugee or asylee who later became a lawful permanent resident, commonly known as a green card holder, may remain eligible under the rules that apply to permanent residents.
Permanent residents, some migrants, pregnant women and children retain eligibility pathways
Beginning Oct. 1, people who meet Medicaid’s other requirements, including applicable income limits, may still qualify for full coverage if they fall into certain categories.
Those include:
- lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, who have met the five-year waiting period, have 40 qualifying quarters of work or qualify for an exception;
- Cuban and Haitian entrants;
- migrants covered under the Compact of Free Association, or COFA, from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau;
- lawfully present pregnant women;
- lawfully present children under age 19.
The pregnancy and children’s exemptions can also protect some people who otherwise fall into immigration categories affected by the new restrictions.
A lawfully present pregnant woman or child under 19 may still qualify for Medicaid if all other eligibility requirements are met.
Some reviews could happen before a member’s normal renewal date
Nebraska Medicaid will first use information already available in its systems to review members who may be affected.
If eligibility cannot be confirmed with existing records, the Department of Health and Human Services may request additional information.
An outdated mailing address or phone number could make it harder for a member to receive a request for documents or an eligibility decision in time.
Members can review benefits and notices through iServe Nebraska.
Nebraska also advises potentially affected members to take care of medical, dental and behavioral health appointments and needed prescription refills before the eligibility change takes effect.
The immigration change is separate from Nebraska’s Medicaid work requirements
The new immigration-status restrictions are different from the Medicaid work requirements Nebraska began implementing earlier this year.
Since May, certain adults covered through Medicaid expansion have faced requirements tied to work, job training or other qualifying activities.
Hola Nebraska previously explained how Nebraska Medicaid work requirements affect adults covered through expansion.
A person may face separate eligibility rules involving income, coverage category, qualifying activities and immigration status.
Emergency Medicaid remains available in limited circumstances
Losing full Medicaid because of immigration status does not necessarily eliminate every form of Medicaid-funded emergency care.
Nebraska provides limited emergency medical coverage for some people who do not qualify for full Medicaid because of citizenship or immigration requirements but have a qualifying emergency medical condition.
The coverage can include treatment for an emergency condition, including emergency labor and delivery.
It is limited to the emergency itself and does not replace full Medicaid coverage. Applicants must also meet the program’s other financial and eligibility requirements.
Nebraska will notify members who lose eligibility
People who no longer qualify for full Medicaid because of the Oct. 1 immigration-status changes will receive an eligibility decision from Nebraska Medicaid.
Questions about Medicaid eligibility or coverage can be directed to:
- 855-632-7633
- Lincoln: 402-473-7000
- Omaha: 402-595-1178
- TTY: 402-471-7256
Nebraska also provides 800-642-6092 for Medicaid eligibility verification.
Residents can review the Nebraska Medicaid eligibility rules for noncitizens for the categories affected by the Oct. 1 change.
When a new Medicaid applicant is found ineligible, Nebraska can transfer the application to the Federal Marketplace for evaluation for private health insurance coverage.
The new immigration-related eligibility rules for full Medicaid coverage take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
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