Question
We are planning to apply for greencard for my Father-in-law (68 yrs) and Mother-in-law (65 yrs). One of our main concern has been how to give them medical coverage.
I am really looking forward for some answers for the following:
1. Once they get their greencard will they be covered by Medicare?
2. Will they get medical coverage after they get their citizenship?
3. I am in Texas and my Brother-in-law is in California. Does this have any implications? I have heard that in California that permanent residents get insurance.
4. If they cannot get and we have to buy private insurance, how much would approx expenses? Which are the insurance companies offering them?
Thanks in advance
Answer
Please read http://www.buyamericaninsurance.com/...ance-plans.jsp It gives you good understanding.
To answer your specific questions:
1. No.
The person must have worked in the US for 40 quarters (10 years for most people) in order to be eligible to get Medicare.
Otherwise, after the person stays in the US for 5 years on green card, he/she would be eligible to PURCHASE medicare if he/she is 65 years or older at that time.
2. Not necessarily. Read answer #1. You can generally apply for citizenship after 5 years on greencard, and the waiting period to BUY is also 5 years. Most people would have to wait 5 years + 1 year or more of processing time.
Therefore, it seems that you can get medicare after getting citizenship. But that is exactly not accurate.
3. Does NOT have any complications.
That is NOT true about CA. Otherwise, most new immigrants would immigrate to CA first.
Think about this. US workers are getting medicare after medicare taxes getting deducted from their paycheck their entire work life, and employers contributing same amount. And after that, when they retire, government is giving benefits to them.
How would people who just arrived into the country be able to get benefit without contributing anything first?
Does my argument make logical sense?
I suggest you read to understand the green card process. In particular, read
And in I-864, read section 7 at
When you sponsor them, you are taking complete responsibility for them. After that, you can't be running away from legally binding document. Remember, government is giving greencard to people after making sure they are not burden to them.
4. We have a special section meant for new immigrants on our web site. Look at http://www.buyamericaninsurance.com/...ateid=here In particular, look at the bridge plan. It is specifically designed for such new immigrants who are waiting to be eligible for Medicare.
I hope that anwers all your questions.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at any time or post them here.