Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) is a health insurance program that helps eligible refugees receive the medical and dental care they need to stay healthy during the initial resettlement period.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for RMA if you are:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
- Victim of human trafficking
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
RMA coverage is available for up to eight months from your U.S. date of arrival or eligibility.
What does RMA cover?
RMA covers a wide range of medical and dental services, including:
- Doctor visits and checkups
- Prescription medications
- Immunizations
- Prenatal and pregnancy care
- Dental care
- Emergency care
- Mental health services
- Lab tests and x-rays
How do I enroll?
- It is important to apply as soon as possible after you arrive.
- Complete an application at Apply for Help.
- If you move to another state, your RMA in North Dakota will end.
- You can have employer health insurance at the same time as RMA.
- You may receive RMA for up to eight months if you continue to meet the program requirements.
Note: Program benefits and services may vary by state.
Need help?
Talk to your resettlement provider or refugee health coordinator.
FAQ
Find answers to frequently asked questions about RMA.
RMA follows Medicaid income eligibility requirements. Review the Medicaid website for additional information.
Eligible individuals can apply for RMA through Apply for Help or in person using the same application as Medicaid.
No. RMA is a time-limited healthcare coverage program for eligible individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid. RMA provides the same benefits and services as Medicaid.
Yes. RMA follows the same retroactive coverage rules as Medicaid.
RMA follows the same application processing timeline as Medicaid. It may take up to 45 days from the application date to determine eligibility.
Yes. You may have other health insurance or a third-party payer, such as commercial or employer-based insurance, while enrolled in RMA. RMA may cover eligible services not covered by your other insurance company. North Dakota Health and Human Services has the right to know about any third-party payers. A third-party payer is another insurance company like Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
You may need to explore other health coverage options, such as purchasing insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace or another commercial health insurance plan. Low-cost or sliding-fee healthcare programs and services may also be available in your community.
Your refugee health coordinator or local resettlement provider can also help you identify available options.
You can receive healthcare from any doctor, clinic, hospital or other healthcare provider that accepts North Dakota Medicaid.
RMA considers the income you have at the time of application. If your income is above the applicable income limit, you may still qualify for RMA, but you may be required to pay a portion of your medical bills, known as a client share.
Client share is the monthly amount an individual must pay in medical bills before RMA will pay for care received. It works like a monthly deductible. The client share amount is based on the difference between a household’s monthly net income and the RMA income limits.