Applying for Medicare after 5 years: how is time in/out of the US determined?

n400_asap

New Member
My mother is 75, had her green card for 5 years, and has traveled abroad on several multi-month trips for around 10 - 14 months total. Trips could not be avoided, unfortunately.

She can't apply for naturalization yet. I have been trying to figure out if she can apply for medicare and medicaid but I can't find any specific information how the five year requirement works for these benefits. I don't want to break any rules, but I also know very well from my experience that rules are often inconsistent and make no sense.

Has anyone here applied for benefits in this kind of situation? Would a disability/benefits lawyer be helpful? I appreciate all feedback, but I am really interested in what people who have gone through the process have to say.
 
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