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Health insurance for new immigrants (senior/older) folks

J

jefkorn

Registered Users (C)
Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting in this part of the forum. I'm wondering how do lottery winners deal with health insurance issues. A US citizen can sponsor their parents but looks like parents when they get to US with green card, they (or USC sponsor) have to buy their private health insurance which can be expensive especially if the parents have hepatitis or diabetes kind of issues which at older age say close to 60 is common place in other parts of the world.

I'm in MA and wondering what are the options regarding health care/insurance for parents who are sponsored by their US citizen children?

The parents in question can't work, don't know English language and don't have any working background, have always been supported by their grown up children. So it's not like they can get a job and get health insurance through their employer.

Thanks!
 
Most of them are conditioned by 3 moths stay in the US. They could say they have already been in the US for three moths, although there are cases where PPO was approved within 15 days upon arrival to the US. Even the best insurance will not cover 100% health problems.
If they can afford more expensive insurance, they could apply online for Keiser Permanente. When the "underwriting" process by the insurance company is completed, and the parent who has e.g. diabetes does not mention this in the application, this fact will be treated as "pre-existing condition" and the monthly rate can jump for 100% or more, from 100 $ to 300$. Anyway if there is a health problem, they would end up either with "deductible" or bearing part of the costs related to the health problem.
Medicaid is a state financed insurance for low income category. Free clinics are great for people without major health problems.
 
ZukotheCat said:
Most of them are conditioned by 3 moths stay in the US. They could say they have already been in the US for three moths, although there are cases where PPO was approved within 15 days upon arrival to the US. Even the best insurance will not cover 100% health problems.
If they can afford more expensive insurance, they could apply online for Keiser Permanente. When the "underwriting" process by the insurance company is completed, and the parent who has e.g. diabetes does not mention this in the application, this fact will be treated as "pre-existing condition" and the monthly rate can jump for 100% or more, from 100 $ to 300$. Anyway if there is a health problem, they would end up either with "deductible" or bearing part of the costs related to the health problem.
Medicaid is a state financed insurance for low income category. Free clinics are great for people without major health problems.
Click to expand...

With all due respect, this is not an answer to the post above - he/she didn't ask about how the insurance system works but what the best option is in this particular case. I doubt that someone, who is not a US citizen and who has not sponsored the parents, knows the answer. Medicaid is not a state funded program.

@ jefkorn

application process for exchange starts on October 1st. Some of the states have verified sponsor-to-alien income deeming, and we are still waiting on others. If the calculation gets similar to, for example, CA food assistance program - they will be eligible for premium assistance. If they apply SSA rules, then not so much. Customer Service representatives are still not sure about details (mostly general questions), but they should be able to give us more answers in a month or so. In any case, be careful with Medicaid, since it's funded by federal government and immigrants are not eligible for it 5 years. CA has never went after sponsors in the past (for reimbursement of benefits paid to ineligible immigrants), but I'm not sure if and how it's going to change in future. You should look into your state programs and see if they have state funded restricted Medicaid (like California does, it's restricted Medi-Cal)), state funded programs are not defined as public charge and are not subject to federal restrictions. At the beginning, like right now, restricted Medicaid plus county programs is the best option until January. We'll see in the next month of so how it goes with exchange and I-864 rules. I hope this help.
 
Hey Zee Zee, thanks for chiming in. What's an Exchange? I will check with the state of residence for the new immigrant parents. I'm still learning this process - the health insurance side. The intent is find a way that makes it affordable for the petitioner to decide whether to sponsor parents or not. Frankly, the immigration side is easy as in USC is allowed to sponsor parents and there's no wait time for them and the process may take up to a year end to end. Big question becomes when the parents get to US and need medication or doctor visits, you would like them to be covered.

I remember seeing your posts when I searched for health insurance for parents in this forum. Good luck with your efforts.

Medi Cal I assume will be for residents of CA.

I may check with my health insurance in MA if they accept dependent parents. In general employer sponsored health insurance provider don't consider parents as dependents but I will check anyway.

I would like to know more about this. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
 
There's no affordable solution as far as I know. Also what do you expect, people living working here and having all the trouble with health system in the US, a new immigrant with 0 contribution is doomed. After 5 years they can buy medicare. Also after the new act passes, the preexisting conditions will (might) be covered but the premiums will be high for sure. Check the state to clarify what's coming meanwhile you can contact a private insurance company to see what's their policy for now and what will it be after the new law.
 
https://www.drugrehabarizona.com/Kingman_AZ_State-Financed-Insurance-besides-Medicaid.htm


http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/medicaid-home-page.aspx "Medicaid—a federal/state partnership with shared authority and financing—is a public health coverage program for low-income children, their parents, the elderly and people with disabilities. Medicaid pays for health and long-term care services for more than 55 million people. Although participation is optional, all 50 states participate."
 
zukocat! medicaid is not available to new immigrants unless unless they becomes citizens. Also it will be a public charge if one took those benefits.

Are you saying there are other options other than medicaid...the first link to arizona drug rehabd, is that for regular health insurance, doesn't look like it.
 
jefkorn said:
zukocat! medicaid is not available to new immigrants unless unless they becomes citizens. Also it will be a public charge if one took those benefits.

Are you saying there are other options other than medicaid...the first link to arizona drug rehabd, is that for regular health insurance, doesn't look like it.
Click to expand...

Noooo....He/she must be a citizen of one of the states WITHIN the US, look at the table in this link, lawfully admitted immigrants are entitled.

http://www.visitorscoverage.com/health-insurance/medicare-vs-medicaid/ New immigrants to USA often want to know more about the different govt. sponsored health insurance programs like Medicare, Medical and Medicaid for green card holder or new immigrants like parents, relatives and dependents. Here is some useful information for our readers....

PPO - you get to choose your own dr - specialist, mower rates, but higher deductible that HMO and you pay for the procedure and medical check, ideal for people with complicated medical history
 
ZukotheCat said:
Noooo....He/she must be a citizen of one of the states WITHIN the US, look at the table in this link, lawfully admitted immigrants are entitled.

http://www.visitorscoverage.com/health-insurance/medicare-vs-medicaid/ New immigrants to USA often want to know more about the different govt. sponsored health insurance programs like Medicare, Medical and Medicaid for green card holder or new immigrants like parents, relatives and dependents. Here is some useful information for our readers....

PPO - you get to choose your own dr - specialist, mower rates, but higher deductible that HMO and you pay for the procedure and medical check, ideal for people with complicated medical history
Click to expand...

G! If you weren't just copy/paste something you totally don't understand (I don't blame you for this, it's difficult to understand all regulations when you don't live here - but please control yourself) and if you just scrolled down:

If you are a new immigrant aged 65 and above, and been a permanent resident for 5 years or more, you may purchase Medicare from the government.
Click to expand...
If you are a new immigrant, and satisfy the eligibility criteria, you can call up the Medicaid Services in your state.
Click to expand...
- meaning, check you eligibility for emergency/restricted Medicaid.

After all, Obamacare changes everything, so ZukotheCat - please! Jefkorn wrote "citizens" because after 5 years most immigrants apply for Citizenship... it's just the wording. Btw, there is no such thing as "citizen of the state". Forget about PPO etc. info copied from Wikipedia or whatever. Nobody is entitled to anything.

Jefkorn - I'll look up the health reform implementation in your State later today. MA has these programs for a while, even before reform (implemented under Gov. Romney, I don't understand why is he so against Obamacare now!? It's the same thing he's done in MA just on the federal level :)). Let's solve this insurance problem over the weekend :)
 
ZukotheCat said:
Noooo....He/she must be a citizen of one of the states WITHIN the US, look at the table in this link, lawfully admitted immigrants are entitled.

http://www.visitorscoverage.com/health-insurance/medicare-vs-medicaid/ New immigrants to USA often want to know more about the different govt. sponsored health insurance programs like Medicare, Medical and Medicaid for green card holder or new immigrants like parents, relatives and dependents. Here is some useful information for our readers....

PPO - you get to choose your own dr - specialist, mower rates, but higher deductible that HMO and you pay for the procedure and medical check, ideal for people with complicated medical history
Click to expand...

Clarification:

Not all LPRs qualify to apply for Medicare. LPRs who have not contributed to the program cannot benefit from it! Lawful Permanent Residents 65 or older, who or their spouses have worked and paid Medicare taxes in the US for 40 quarters can apply for Medicare. This effectively rules out new LPRs!!
 
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Zee Zee said:
G! If you weren't just copy/paste something you totally don't understand (I don't blame you for this, it's difficult to understand all regulations when you don't live here - but please control yourself) and if you just scrolled down:
Click to expand...

+1 Like!
 
hey zee zee, thank you for coming back in here and setting the record straight. Also thanks to the cat and sm1smom!

Yeah it will be great if I can get to the actual implementation of MA health care reform and how it applies to an old parent who was spnsored by US citizen.

I understand that one needs to pay into the system before they become eligible for anything for the most part.

It seems this health insurance thing for new immigrants (who will not work because their adult children agree to provide for food and shelter) could be a go no-go decision time.

People (including me) who are employed get the health insruance from their employers and don't even give a second thought to it.

Yeah like you said, let's get to the bottom of it.

I may not be posting over the weekend, got kids school picnic and birthday parties to attend but will be coming back whenever I get a free minute.
 
@Jefkorn

Basically, they will be able to buy insurance through the state insurance exchange, but: the system will show they are eligible for medicaid since they have no income; eligibility does not mean they can receive the benefits - they have to wait 5 years and there is an I-864 signed, so a percentage of your income will be allocated to them (sponsor income deeming) and that amount will be considered as their income. Cost of insurance and premium assistance will depend on that amount. It's not simple as "we'll deem 35% of sponsor's income to an immigrant". I know it's confusing, but I'll explain in details over the weekend - come back Monday for a hot discussion :) and have fun with your family!
 
Zee zee, this is looking more and more like a quagmire. I need to look things up on this . I am aware oh health connector but never had to go through them because my health insurance is covered by employer (I pay about about one third share and rest by the employer).

I agree with you that the computer system may look at the age and may be immigration status of parents and may show them as eligible but I understand that because of the affidavit of support signed by the sponsor, parents should not avail themselves of that option ( avoid becoming a public charge).

I will share what I find in the meantime. Sure looking forward to a spirited discussion here. :)
 
Hey Zee Zee, missing you here.. :) Would love to figure this health insruance thing out ..seems like one more hurdle to overcome.

Has anyone tried checking with their primary health insruance provided throught Employer if they (the health insruance provider) will take the parents under the same policy? May be worth a try? Need some creative solutions!
 
jefkorn said:
Hey Zee Zee, missing you here.. :) Would love to figure this health insruance thing out ..seems like one more hurdle to overcome.

Has anyone tried checking with their primary health insruance provided throught Employer if they (the health insruance provider) will take the parents under the same policy? May be worth a try? Need some creative solutions!
Click to expand...

I'm here :)

Good news from tonight - I had a chance to talk to one of my Representative's aid during a community meeting: there are a lot of Town Hall meetings regarding Health insurance scheduled for the next month, but most of the speakers will be focused on getting people familiar with the reform... our problem is a hot topic, but not for the meetings like these. Now, I was asked to get all the facts together so they can pursue this issue further and get some answers regarding I-864, income deeming and all other rules in regards to immigrants who are in the country for less than 5 years. Fingers crossed - I was promised to get all answers before the new law takes place :)

As for being able to claim your parents as dependents on your policy, I doubt you are going to be able to do so. Most providers don't allow parents to be enrolled as dependents (unless, I guess, you are an executive, working for a Fortune 500 company :)).

More from me tomorrow!
Z
 
Hey Zee Zee, nice to know that things are moving in the right direction and at least there's hope. Good luck with your journey and wish you desired resolution to this conundrum soon! I will be closely listening in here.

I would think this would be a common issue for lot of immigrants who become citizens and wand their parents to live with them..in some cases parents may be the only ones left behind and need someone to take care of them.
 
Any updates on this? I'm still looking to have some affordable options for old age parents? Anyone figured out the mystery yet ? Please share your finds/tips trick here. Thanks
 
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