Hi guys, please help with some ideas.

[Sam1234 0]

Hi guys. I am in dire need of advice. My grandmother in Mexico had surgery about 10 months ago and her wound wont heal. We brought her over on a tourist visa to visit a doctor and we have been told she needs treatment asap. the problem is that without insurance its costing us a fortune and we just cant afford it. My mom is a us citizen and wants to help my grandparents immigrate. The problem is time isnt on our side as the longer we take the bigger chance they might have to amputate her foot and we can wait the 6 months for the i130 and interview at consulate. What can we do that will be quicker so we can get my grandmother the medical care she needs? Anyhelp would be appreciated. Thank you.

[mrszorak44 7]

I think you can apply to expedite the whole process. I'm not sure with this for I have not experienced it, I just read it somewhere. Some members for sure will give you a better option.

Praying for your grandmother's fast recovery and healing.

[belinda63 3,038]

Her obtaining a green card won't solve the insurance issue. She won't be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. How do you intend to pay for her medical care if she obtains a green card?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

The others are correct; her getting a greencard (which takes closer to a year unless you get the expedite) won't mean free medical care.

Have you considered looking into private hospitals in Mexico or even other South American countries? That will likely be significantly cheaper.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

As others have stated , being a legal resident you are prohibited from most benefits for years so you will still have to pay for insurance. Even with Obama care the cost for an elderly person is horrible. You can't be turned away for preexisting conditions but that doesn't mean you can afford it. Many USC's have resorted to medical tourism, going t oa third country for procedures. If your mom is a USC she can go to Mexico and care for grandma at the very best hospital for much less than what is available in the US

[Boiler 45,522]

She is here so she could stay and adjust here which will be quicker than going through Consular processing.

My recollection is that as soon as she has filed to adjust status she can get Obamacare. Assuming she has little income she will get a big subsidy and the actual cost to her may be minimal.

[belinda63 3,038]

Since she would be living with family members it would be the household income that would count. And insurance for older people is not cheap even with ACA. They can always run the numbers through the website and see what the cost would be.

Edited May 25, 2014 by belinda63

[Boiler 45,522]

Since she would be living with family members it would be the household income that would count. And insurance for older people is not cheap even with ACA. They can always run the numbers through the website and see what the cost would be.

There are so many variables that trying to be specific is tricky. And I am sure there are many ways her living arrangements could be structured.

As a general rule assuming her income is low the basic cover would most likely be essentially free. Bronze. When I was playing with numbers the top level, Platinum for the older age group cost more than the reduced deductible. So do not assume anything will be logical.

[Sam1234 0]

Thank you so much for your good wishes and prayers. As far as insurance, my mother would add them both to her insurance once a social security is assigned. She called them and it wouldnt be too costly as it is through her work but she needs them to have social security numbers.Getting there as fast as we can is the concern.

[Boiler 45,522]

It is extremely unusual to be able to add a Parent to a work insurance, not impossible but pretty close. So make absolutely sure that is available.

Also the reason work insurance is 'cheap' is if the Employer heavily subsidies it, which is why it would be so unusual.

Also you do not need a SSN to be insured, SSN is obviously pretty irrelevant in this case. Usually that is mentioned because the person you spoke to knows no better. That is what they normally use.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

For new immigrants usually the sponsors income is included in the Obama care calculations for the first 5 years. Be wary of phone answers to adding dependents to health insurance. The medical definition is not the same as the IRS one and it would be a mess if she got treatment thinking there was insurance and it wasn't really there. Places bill insured people at a much higher rate than non insured. Make sure someone carefully reads the details of who may be covered. Also as an elderly immigrant your grandmother will NEVER be able to collect social security or get free medicare as it is something you have to pay into for decades to collect.

[Boiler 45,522]

For new immigrants usually the sponsors income is included in the Obama care calculations for the first 5 years.

That is new to me, not saying it is not correct.

Just wondering how they would even know there was a sponsor and what the sponsor has to do with a non means tested benefit?

She would not be entitled to Medicaid, so we are talking about Exchange coverage.

[Sam1234 0]

Ill double check on the insurance to be surd thank you for the heads up. I guess the option would be "obama care"if all else fails. I didnt consider medicaid at all. Just trying to find the best way to get her the care she needs. Would she be denied a green card because of her pre existing condition? Ill be able to co sponsor in case my mothers income isnt enough. Im still trying to determine if this process would even benefit the situation, and also if there is a way to expedite. Thanks again for your responses and insight.

[Boiler 45,522]

The adjustment should not be denied due to her health.

Obamacare varies by State.

Certainly in my State once you file to adjust then you need to have cover and can buy through the Exchange. So nothing to expedite.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

When getting insured be VERY VERY careful about pre existing conditions most exclude them so you would only be covered for new issues .