Medical Insurance for Mom and Dad

[MyLittlePony 340]

After my wife's mom and dad immigrate here in the U.S., are they required to get medical insurance? Does anyone know what the new health insurance law say something about this?

[xxxwabbiexxx 70]

as far as i know there is no legal requirement to have medical insurance - but if you want to get treated in anyway without getting slapped in the face with a monstrous bill then get it!!! even a simple appointment for antibiotics, then they need it.

some people go their whole lives without medical insurance and don't need it - they're the lucky ones.

someone who my mother in law knows, didn't have insurance and their son's nursery called an ambulance, they now need to come up with $5000 to pay for that ambulance all because of the nursery. the boys father said he'd take him to hospital because it wasn't too serious but the nursery insisted on the ambulance, (probably to cover their backs from the country that sues everyone)

GOD BLESS THE NHS!!!!!!! its fantastic, yes there are long waiting list for non emergencies like knee operations but if you are dying from cancer or need emergency surgery it there!!!!!!

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

as far as i know there is no legal requirement to have medical insurance - but if you want to get treated in anyway without getting slapped in the face with a monstrous bill then get it!!! even a simple appointment for antibiotics, then they need it.

some people go their whole lives without medical insurance and don't need it - they're the lucky ones.

someone who my mother in law knows, didn't have insurance and their son's nursery called an ambulance, they now need to come up with $5000 to pay for that ambulance all because of the nursery. the boys father said he'd take him to hospital because it wasn't too serious but the nursery insisted on the ambulance, (probably to cover their backs from the country that sues everyone)

GOD BLESS THE NHS!!!!!!! its fantastic, yes there are long waiting list for non emergencies like knee operations but if you are dying from cancer or need emergency surgery it there!!!!!!

If the new health care law stands then this is going to change. Beginning in 2014 everyone (with few exceptions) will be required to have health insurance or pay an annual fine to the IRS. This particular requirement in the law has already been challenged in several federal courts, and the opinions have been divided with some courts saying the requirement is legal and others saying the US Constitution doesn't give the federal government the authority to force someone to buy medical insurance. The Supreme Court will ultimately have the final say.

In any case, the law does nothing to control the cost of health care or health insurance, so whatever it ends up costing you'll be forced to pay it, or hopefully have an employer who provides it for you.

To the OP: As I mentioned above, the requirement to maintain health insurance begins in 2014, and will apply to all citizens and legal residents of the US. I don't know how old your wife's parents are, but if they don't work long enough in the US to qualify for Social Security Retirement benefits then they won't ever be able to get Medicare without paying premiums for it. This is definitely something to consider when bringing over parents who have less than 10 years working life left ahead of them. The cost of private insurance for the elderly can be very high.

[MyLittlePony 340]

Thank you both for the info.