Success getting healthcare coverage for immigrant parents over 65

[CY267007 0]

The following is quoted from Can You Claim a Parent as a Dependent?

from https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-deductions-and-credits-2/family/can-you-claim-a-parent-as-a-dependent-13842/#reply-title

 

 "The parent you want to claim as a dependent on your tax return must have a social security number (SSN) or an individual tax identification number (ITIN). Either of these numbers will satisfy the identification requirement for the IRS.

To be allowed to claim your parent as a dependent, your parent’s taxable income cannot be more than $4,050 for your 2017 tax year. This means that if your parent earns more than $4,050, you aren’t eligible to claim them as a dependent. Non-taxable income, such as Social Security, does not count toward this amount.

Also, the parent you’re claiming as a dependent cannot file a joint tax return."

 

I would think Turbo Tax is pretty accurate on the taxation regulation and requirement. 

[databit 328]

11 hours ago, CY267007 said:

I have some thoughts as well as questions regarding your response.

 

1) First, there will be two tax filing hoseholds, the sponsor and the immigrants.  What if the immigrants work part time or do some small business and have an income which is below 100% FPL but enough to disqualify the sponsor to be able to claim them as dependents? The sponsor cannot claim the  immigrants as dependents if the immigrants make a certain amount of money to support themselves at least 50% on their own(the support requirement for claiming dependents) even if they lives in the same house as the sponsor.

 

2) which 17 states do not expand Medicaid?

What is it you are trying to do, exactly? Also, it's Publication 5187, not 5186

 

The part you highlighted is only saying that an eligible taxpayer can be a LPR. But the ENTIRE publication statement is saying that a person CANNOT be in the ACA unless they make a certain income. For one person, that is $12,060. The ACA was designed for working people of a certain income. If they make at least that amount, they may qualify for a subsidy. 

 

You can't have it both ways.

 

Choice 1: You asked if your parent can earn "enough" money so that they won't be able to be deducted from your taxes. Yes--if they work for a employer who files a W-4 or a 1099 with the IRS for your parent,  all done legally. But that would be too low an income for the ACA. So unless you live in a state that expanded Medicaid (see list below), your parent would not qualify for ANY health coverage, unless you buy private insurance. 

 

Choice 2: You deduct your parent from your taxes and you get the money for that. Your parent is part of your household. Your parent CAN get into the ACA. Depending on the size of your household, you can get ACA with subsidies if household income does not exceed 400% FPL. If income exceeds that, parent can still buy into the ACA, but without a subsidy.

 

States that did not expand Medicaid: https://familiesusa.org/product/50-state-look-medicaid-expansion

Edited September 19, 2018 by databit

[databit 328]

13 minutes ago, databit said:

What is it you are trying to do, exactly? Also, it's Publication 5187, not 5186

 

The part you highlighted is only saying that an eligible taxpayer can be a LPR. But the ENTIRE publication statement is saying that a person CANNOT be in the ACA unless they make a certain income. For one person, that is $12,060. The ACA was designed for working people of a certain income. If they make at least that amount, they may qualify for a subsidy. 

 

You can't have it both ways.

 

Choice 1: You asked if your parent can earn "enough" money so that they won't be able to be deducted from your taxes. Yes--if they work for a employer who files a W-4 or a 1099 with the IRS for your parent,  all done legally. But that would be too low an income for the ACA. So unless you live in a state that expanded Medicaid (see list below), your parent would not qualify for ANY health coverage, unless you buy private insurance. 

 

Choice 2: You deduct your parent from your taxes and you get the money for that. Your parent is part of your household. Your parent CAN get into the ACA. Depending on the size of your household, you can get ACA with subsidies if household income does not exceed 400% FPL. If income exceeds that, parent can still buy into the ACA, but without a subsidy.

 

States that did not expand Medicaid: https://familiesusa.org/product/50-state-look-medicaid-expansion

EDIT: Please put what state you are in. What I wrote is confusing even me. 

[Villanelle 4,122]

@databit That wasnt confusing. I mean its a mouthful but its explained very well. You cant have your cake and eat it too. 

[Boiler 45,478]

I would add a few things, seems 2 issues:

 

What the situation is now and what you buy now.

 

what the situation could be in the future, I am assuming somebody is moving long term.

 

Your State may change the rules, Feds no doubt will what and when is the unknown. You may be in a expanded Medicare state but have to move to one that is not, your income can go up, or down.

[ParentsGC2018 0]

Hi All,

 

Anyone in New York got successful in getting healthcare coverage for immigrant parents over 65? Please let me know.

 

Thanks.

[Umka36 781]

Getting health insurance/coverage isn't the problem, it's the who is paying or qualifying for government subsidy.

 

Do you fall in this realm ParentsGC2018? If not, then you can just pay the full cost of the health insurance in the open/private market. FWIW, NY has expanded Medicaid so almost anyone can qualify based on what I hear. 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Umka36

[Boiler 45,478]

1 hour ago, ParentsGC2018 said:

Hi All,

 

Anyone in New York got successful in getting healthcare coverage for immigrant parents over 65? Please let me know.

 

Thanks.

https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/individual

[ParentsGC2018 0]

Looks like for 65+ age only NY Medicaid is offered  in New York? Which has income and asset test, does this sound right to everyone? No other option for health insurance except Medicaid for 65+ in NY???? Thanks

[Boiler 45,478]

They should be able to buy through the Exchange. Did you check the link?

[Umka36 781]

13 minutes ago, Boiler said:

They should be able to buy through the Exchange. Did you check the link?

Link's broken. Stand corrected, my browser is.

Edited September 21, 2018 by Umka36

[ParentsGC2018 0]

I have not tried link, just talk with NY HealthExchange Navigators. They said if you put age 65plus, system asks them to apply for Medicaid or Medicare, no other option. Anyone from New York State here?? Thanks

[CY267007 0]

On 9/19/2018 at 11:28 AM, databit said:

What is it you are trying to do, exactly? Also, it's Publication 5187, not 5186

 

The part you highlighted is only saying that an eligible taxpayer can be a LPR. But the ENTIRE publication statement is saying that a person CANNOT be in the ACA unless they make a certain income. For one person, that is $12,060. The ACA was designed for working people of a certain income. If they make at least that amount, they may qualify for a subsidy. 

 

You can't have it both ways.

 

Choice 1: You asked if your parent can earn "enough" money so that they won't be able to be deducted from your taxes. Yes--if they work for a employer who files a W-4 or a 1099 with the IRS for your parent,  all done legally. But that would be too low an income for the ACA. So unless you live in a state that expanded Medicaid (see list below), your parent would not qualify for ANY health coverage, unless you buy private insurance. 

 

Choice 2: You deduct your parent from your taxes and you get the money for that. Your parent is part of your household. Your parent CAN get into the ACA. Depending on the size of your household, you can get ACA with subsidies if household income does not exceed 400% FPL. If income exceeds that, parent can still buy into the ACA, but without a subsidy.

 

States that did not expand Medicaid: https://familiesusa.org/product/50-state-look-medicaid-expansion

 "A taxpayer with household income below 100 percent of the FPL can be an applicable taxpayer as long as the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or a dependent who enrolled in a qualified health plan is not a U.S. citizen but is lawfully present in the U.S. and not eligible for Medicaid because of immigration status."

According to this, LPRs can be qualified to be applicable tax payers to claim Premium Tax Credit even if they have incomes below 100% of the FPL.  

 

My parents will be in Oregon.  They will work part time so they possibly will not be able to reach 100% of FPL for a household of 2. They are not US citizens. They are green card holders, so lawful permanent residents.  They will buy qualified health plans.

[Boiler 45,478]

Lots of LPR's buy through the Exchange.

[Umka36 781]

18 hours ago, Boiler said:

Lots of LPR's buy through the Exchange.

It's really about how to get/claim the PTC in the end as getting health care coverage isn't the issue.