Healthcare for immigrant parents

[kuchchbhee]

I sponsored my parents GC almost 3 years back. Since then, they have lived in US each year for couple of months. They have two main concerns, lack of social activity and healthcare. Although I purchased expensive insurance for them at $1200/month for both parents, it barely provides reasonable coverage. I am revisiting this forum after long time to see if there is any new program, experience in the area of healthcare for parents.

I do know first hand, a friend enrolled his parents in medi-cal (yes, you should not do it, you can get sued, all that is understood). His dad suffer major heart attack and in ensuing 12 day recovery and bypass surgery spent over 100k. He did not pay single dollar from his pocket as medi-cal covered it. This was 2 years back.

Are there any others who have used medi-cal for parents? Is there any change under Obama-care?

As i said, i am willing to spend to buy insurance for parents... but i want a comparable coverage.

Thankyou for your response, and if you cant be polite, please do not reply.

 

[nkm-oct23]

Beginning sometime next year legal immigrants will be able to buy insurance from a state insurance exchange. Check your state's web site.

For example see California's exchange: http://www.coveredca.com/

 

[Jackolantern]

Beginning sometime next year legal immigrants will be able to buy insurance from a state insurance exchange. Check your state's web site.

For example see California's exchange: http://www.coveredca.com/

Their cost calculator seems to assume the availability of Medicaid, but the OP's parents won't be eligible for that until completing at least 5 years as permanent residents.

Another option is to buy into Medicare, but that is also unavailable until they complete 5 years as permanent residents (unless at least one of them previously worked and paid taxes in the US for 10 years).

 

[Jackolantern]

As i said, i am willing to spend to buy insurance for parents... but i want a comparable coverage.

You won't get comparable coverage unless you spend an enormous amount like $1500/month each.

If they keep living in the US for only months a year, they're eventually going to lose their green cards. They may be better off surrendering their green cards at a US consulate with form I-407 and applying for tourist visas. They can surrender the cards and apply for the visa in the same visit.

 

[smile1]

Their cost calculator seems to assume the availability of Medicaid, but the OP's parents won't be eligible for that until completing at least 5 years as permanent residents.

Another option is to buy into Medicare, but that is also unavailable until they complete 5 years as permanent residents (unless at least one of them previously worked and paid taxes in the US for 10 years).

So how is the 5 years calculated? Is it 5 years of continuous residency like in citizenship process or just 5years of having a GC. Does the number of months spent together outside the US or inside the US count? I mean,if my parents apply for I 131 and stay in their home country for about 2 years ( to sell off property etc) , will it still be counted as 5 years?

 

[Jackolantern]

So how is the 5 years calculated? Is it 5 years of continuous residency like in citizenship process or just 5years of having a GC. Does the number of months spent together outside the US or inside the US count? I mean,if my parents apply for I 131 and stay in their home country for about 2 years ( to sell off property etc) , will it still be counted as 5 years?

I think it's just having a green card for 5 years. None of the sources I've seen that describe that rule say anything about proving the amount of time or continuity thereof in the US, other than state-specific rules about how long you must have resided in the state.

However, they will consider the income and assets of the I-864 sponsor(s) when deciding eligibility for Medicaid, so even after the 5 years are up the sponsor's income/assets may disqualify them.

Also note that the 5-year restriction is only a minimum set by Federal law; states can optionally extend it for additional years (but not beyond the time when the immigrant has accumulated 10 years of Social Security credits or becomes a US citizen).

 

[ayhd100]

I am also in same boat for my father. I am looking for my father medical insurance but not getting insurance for reasonable amount. I do not want to take any government benefit as I make good money. But that does not mean to give away money. My few friends recommended to take government benefit but I do not want to take if I get medical insurance for my father (63 years Old). My expectation of reasonable medical insurance should be under $500 with reasonable deductible (<1K/ year). I tried to reach so many government agencies here but all recommended to go for Medicare.

I appreciate if someone gives suggestion on this. Please I know all things that I have signed AOS and government can sue me. As I said I am interested to buy medical insurance and not to use government benefit.

Is there anyone who go for medicare ? and got any issue in future ?