Refugee Health Program

• Resettlement Eligibility for Afghanistan or Ukraine Parolees

  Due to current federal law, Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who are paroled into the United States on or after October 1, 2023, are not eligible for federal public benefits or refugee medical reimbursements provided by the State Refugee Health Program. Learn more.

• FAQ Regarding Resettlement Eligibility

  Why is this change happening?

  In 2022, Congress passed laws that made Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who arrived in the U.S. within a certain period eligible for federally funded benefits and refugee resettlement services. The eligibility period for Afghans who are paroled between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023.  The eligibility period for Ukrainians paroled between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023.

  Congress also provided that if they are paroled as certain family members or caregivers of previously paroled Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, newly paroled Afghans and Ukrainians who arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, may be eligible for federal benefits.

  This means that Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who are paroled beginning Oct. 1, 2023, are not eligible for most Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) funded programs unless they are being reunited with immediate family members.

  Will any newly arriving Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolees be eligible for ORR-funded programs?

  Afghans who arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, will be eligible for federal benefits and ORR-funded programs only if they were granted humanitarian parole AND are:

  • A spouse or child of an Afghan humanitarian parolee who was paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023, or
  • A parent or legal guardian of an Afghan humanitarian parolee who is an unaccompanied refugee minor or an unaccompanied child and was paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023.

  Ukrainians who arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, will be eligible for federal benefits and ORR-funded programs only if they were granted humanitarian parole AND are:

  • A spouse or child of a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who was paroled into the U.S. between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, or
  • A parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who is an unaccompanied refugee minor or unaccompanied child and was paroled into the U.S. between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023.

  Afghans and Ukrainians who are paroled and arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, and are not connected to a previously paroled Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolee as a spouse, child, parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver are not eligible for most ORR-funded programs, including reimbursements by the State Refugee Health Program.

  What benefits and services are Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees able to receive?

  Afghans and Ukrainians who are paroled and arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, who are not joining immediate family members, may be eligible for state-funded cash and food assistance.

  How does this impact current Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolee clients receiving federal public benefits and refugee resettlement services, including ORR-funded programs?

  There is no impact. Current clients who are humanitarian parolees from Afghanistan and Ukraine may continue to receive public benefits and participate in ORR-funded services until the end of their parole term.

  How do I know if a newly arriving Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolee is eligible for ORR-funded programs, specifically reimbursement for health services, as a certain family member or caregiver?

  Afghans and Ukrainians granted humanitarian parole will receive a Form I-94 documenting their parole status and time period.  Providers will need to check the date that parole was granted, and the parolee entered the U.S.

  If the date is after Sept. 30, 2023, providers must ask the individual if they are the spouse or child of a humanitarian parolee who previously arrived in the U.S., or if they are a parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of an unaccompanied refugee minor or child who was paroled between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023. Or between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023 (Ukrainian).

  If the answer is yes, providers will need to ask to see the immigration documentation of the Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who was paroled before Sept. 30, 2023, and with whom the newly arrived parolee is connected. If the newly arrived parolee provides documentation that they meet the familial or caregiver criteria of a previously paroled Afghan or Ukrainian individual, providers may bill the State Refugee Health Program for medical services (21 years and older).

  Providers must keep copies of immigration documentation of both the newly arrived parolee who is a new client and the parolee who arrived before Sept. 30, 2023, and with whom the new client is connected in the new client’s file and provide copies to the State Refugee Health Program.

  If the answer is no, the newly arriving parolee is not eligible for reimbursements by the State Refugee Health Program.

  Who can I contact at the State Refugee Health Program for more information?

  For questions or more information, please contact the State Refugee Health Program at [email protected].

The Georgia Department of Public Health Refugee Health Program promotes the physical, mental, and social well-being of all newly arriving refugees in the state of Georgia.

The program ensures that refugees receive adequate healthcare not provided in their native country. The refugee health screening (also referred to as the domestic health assessment) has four central purposes: 

1. To reduce and recognize health-related barriers to successful resettlement,
2. To protect the health of local, state, and national populations,
3. Identify physical and mental health issues that may need continued care over and beyond public health’s capacity, and
4. Ensure that the refugee fully uses Medicaid during their 12-month eligibility as mandated by the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). In correlation, outreach services provide health education and outreach to the refugee community, further ensuring infirmity prevention.

Domestic Health Assessment

The program collaborates with local resettlement agencies, local county health departments, and health care providers to screen newly arriving refugees in Georgia to administer the domestic refugee health assessment and follow-up process. This screening aims to identify and treat health problems that may interfere with a refugee’s successful resettlement. This appointment should be initiated within 30 days of the refugee’s arrival.

Medical Interpretation

Provides limited medical interpretation services during the initial health screening and follow-up.

• Available languages for Interpretation: Somali, Arabic, Dari, and Pashto

Outreach

1. Pre-screening health orientation and education
2. Refugee health linkage coordination assistance for complex medical issues
3. Home visits to ensure compliance with medical treatment plans

Refugee Health Data Request

The Public Health Information Portal (PHIP) is an online system where you can request public health data from the Georgia Department of Public Health. You will need to create a user account and complete the data request form:

Refugee Domestic Health Screening

The Georgia Refugee Health Program collaborates with local health jurisdictions and healthcare providers to conduct a comprehensive medical screening examination in line with the CDC Guidance for the U.S. Domestic Medical Examination for Newly Arriving Refugees (Click Here For CDC Refugees Guidelines). The Refugee Health Medical Screening Guidelines Manual ( Download Manual ) offers state-specific guidance for this screening examination.

Refugee Health Screening Resources

• Office of Refugee Resettlement Domestic Screening Checklist – ( Download Checklist )
• Clinical Assessment for Refugees (Click Here) - A tool for clinicians with screening information based on current guidelines.
• CDC Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons (Click Here)
• National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, & Migrants (Click Here) - A website through the University of Minnesota that provides webinars, translated resources, toolkits, vaccine campaigns, and more, all tailored for the care of RIM populations.

Forms:

1. Refugee Health Referral Form
2. Domestic Health Screening Invoice

Page last updated 7/31/23