Insurance options for MOM (Aged 70)

[myimmhelp 1]

I successfully applied and got my mother a green card to come and stay with us in US after my dads death.

She has come to the US 3 months back with visitors travel insurance .

My question is

1. Will she be able to qualify for the Medicaid program run by the state (I know medicare she wont qualify)

2. Any other support programme for her age group.

Touch wood she is doing good , but each day passes with great stress,

Forum please advice ,

[Ian H. 207]

Do you live in a state that is running a health exchange? You have to apply for insurance through the exchange and they will tell you what she qualifies for.

She won't qualify for medicaid unless the state provides their own "state funded" medicaid, but she should definitely qualify for subsidized coverage. If she does qualify for medicaid, you also have to find out with the issuing agency if they go after the sponsor.

If you get subsidized coverage rather than medicaid, it isn't considered a means tested benefit even though it's based on income.

When we applied for health insurance here in the exchange they specifically gave my wife medicaid even though she didn't have 5 years as an LPR. We were trying to get regular insurance, but each state has their own requirements.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Ian H.

[belinda63 3,047]

Each state is different and the best place to start is healthcare.gov. We found out that in Kentucky our over 65 father cannot sigh up on the exchange until he has been here for five years. Even then the exchange won't take him because of his age. We are trying other methods to obtain insurance for him but all the private companies we have called say anyone 65+ is only eligible for a Medicare supplemental program.

[Ian H. 207]

Wow, that's tough. I've read on several places that people should qualify for the subsidies even if they have less than 5 years. It's more likely because of his age that he wasn't allowed to sign up. It looks like he doesn't qualify to buy into medicare either. I found this link with info on applying for other insurance until he has the 5 years. It also applies to the OP if she falls into the same situation:

http://www.***removed***.com/medicare-for-new-immigrants-green-card-holders/

[Boiler 46,232]

I have not heard of any travel insurance that covers migrants, all the ones I know of work on the basis you are going back.

It seems New York may be an exception that allows immediate Medicaid.

The exchanges should deal with everybody else, Colorado I know does not have an age limit. If you have been trying on line may be best to call or visit and work your way through the system.

Now whether she would be eligible for any tax based subsidies is another issue.