Wife on Green Card & 4 Months Pregnant?

[Villanelle 4,122]

7 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

I'm not disagreeing with you or trying to be argumentative but where did you find this theory of which you speak?  Is there a source that I have not found that indicates that an i864 doesn't apply to pregnancy and the US government will pay for everything when it comes to pregnancy based upon this "theory"?  I am very concerned about this couple and their soon coming baby and I feel that medical care should have started already if it has not.  The pregnant mommy should have been to the doctor for prenatal checkups already.  There are several non-profit agencies in Hawaii that offer free or reduced-cost prenatal care based on ones income that are not linked to the federal or state government.  I have to assume that Texas has agencies such as we do.  I sincerely hope the mommy to be is getting care and continues to get care throughout her pregnancy and afterwards.  

https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/overview-immigrants-eligibility-snap-tanf-medicaid-and-chip

 

MEDICAID AND CHIP

As of March 2011, 22 states and the District of Columbia have chosen to provide Medicaid and CHIP to lawfully present immigrant children and pregnant women who meet the Medicaid state residency requirement (figure 3).  Most states cover both children and pregnant women.  Five states (Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Virginia) cover only children, while one, Colorado, provides coverage to pregnant women only.[12]

In addition, states can provide prenatal care to immigrant women otherwise ineligible for Medicaid and/or CHIP under the CHIP unborn child option using federal matching funds (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured 2009, figure 3).[13]  Eligibility for this coverage does not depend on the womans immigration status and is limited to pregnant women only.  As of July 2010, 14 states provide prenatal care, labor, and postpartum care to immigrant women under this option.  Six states (California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin) have chosen both the CHIPRA option for lawfully present immigrant women and the CHIP option for nonqualified immigrants.

Health coverage for immigrants during the five-year ban is limited to children and pregnant women under CHIPRA in most states, but 14 states and the District of Columbia provide state-only-funded health coverage to immigrants other than children and pregnant women (figure 4).  State-only funded health coverage is limited based on age, immigration status, disability, and other criteria.  For example, Washington provides medical assistance to qualified immigrants who are seniors and persons with disabilities and receive state-only cash assistance (NILC 2010b, 2010c).

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia also provide some health coverage to select groups of nonqualified immigrants using state-only funding.  Coverage varies and, in many instances, is limited depending on age, immigrant status, and disability status (NILC 2010b, 2010c).  Most of these states are among the states that also provide state-only health coverage to qualified immigrants.

 

Also the labor and delivery (not prenatal care unless there is a risk with the pregnancy) is considered "Emergency Medicaid" which is not a means tested benefit. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

1 minute ago, Damara said:

https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/overview-immigrants-eligibility-snap-tanf-medicaid-and-chip

 

MEDICAID AND CHIP

As of March 2011, 22 states and the District of Columbia have chosen to provide Medicaid and CHIP to lawfully present immigrant children and pregnant women who meet the Medicaid state residency requirement (figure 3).  Most states cover both children and pregnant women.  Five states (Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Virginia) cover only children, while one, Colorado, provides coverage to pregnant women only.[12]

In addition, states can provide prenatal care to immigrant women otherwise ineligible for Medicaid and/or CHIP under the CHIP unborn child option using federal matching funds (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured 2009, figure 3).[13]  Eligibility for this coverage does not depend on the womans immigration status and is limited to pregnant women only.  As of July 2010, 14 states provide prenatal care, labor, and postpartum care to immigrant women under this option.  Six states (California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin) have chosen both the CHIPRA option for lawfully present immigrant women and the CHIP option for nonqualified immigrants.

Health coverage for immigrants during the five-year ban is limited to children and pregnant women under CHIPRA in most states, but 14 states and the District of Columbia provide state-only-funded health coverage to immigrants other than children and pregnant women (figure 4).  State-only funded health coverage is limited based on age, immigration status, disability, and other criteria.  For example, Washington provides medical assistance to qualified immigrants who are seniors and persons with disabilities and receive state-only cash assistance (NILC 2010b, 2010c).

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia also provide some health coverage to select groups of nonqualified immigrants using state-only funding.  Coverage varies and, in many instances, is limited depending on age, immigrant status, and disability status (NILC 2010b, 2010c).  Most of these states are among the states that also provide state-only health coverage to qualified immigrants.

 

Also the labor and delivery (not prenatal care unless there is a risk with the pregnancy) is considered "Emergency Medicaid" which is not a means tested benefit. 

Yes, I understand that some states allow immigrants medical benefits but is the person who completed the i864 then required/obligated to pay back any or all of the money later?  I see no mention of the i864 in this.  Like I said, my state of Hawaii has many alternatives to federal or state funding/assistance for medical care.  I would think this would be their best bet.  But that's just me.  I haven't seen any evidence yet that shows that federal or state medical relief does not have to be re-paid at a later date.  One other thing; Would a person be morally obligated to pay back the moneys knowing that they agreed that they would never do this?  I wish them the best.

[Lemonslice 4,915]

1 minute ago, David & Zoila said:

Yes, I understand that some states allow immigrants medical benefits but is the person who completed the i864 then required/obligated to pay back any or all of the money later?  I see no mention of the i864 in this.  Like I said, my state of Hawaii has many alternatives to federal or state funding/assistance for medical care.  I would think this would be their best bet.  But that's just me.  I haven't seen any evidence yet that shows that federal or state medical relief does not have to be re-paid at a later date.  One other thing; Would a person be morally obligated to pay back the moneys knowing that they agreed that they would never do this?  I wish them the best.

Might be me, but I've never seen anyone being asked to repay anything in the USA. Those stories are relatively frequent in Canada (because it can ruin someone), but I've never seen  it reported publicly here. Anyway, of all things my taxes can pay, I'm happy some is used to cover maternal/prenatal care. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

6 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Might be me, but I've never seen anyone being asked to repay anything in the USA. Those stories are relatively frequent in Canada (because it can ruin someone), but I've never seen  it reported publicly here. Anyway, of all things my taxes can pay, I'm happy some is used to cover maternal/prenatal care. 

And I only wish them the best and a safe, happy pregnancy and delivery.  But I would question why she is not insured.  She has apparently been here for well over a year and by law she should have been signed up for some kind of medical care. This is a requirement under Obama Care.  This is the problem with Obama Care.  Younger people and people that like to take risks are not signing up and guess what that does?  It increases the insurance premiums for those who are signed up and it causes people in situations like the op to ask for government assistance when in theory if the Obama Care program worked should never happen.  And who foots the bill now?  I had my spouse covered under my work health insurance 1 month before she arrived in the US.  But that's just me... 

[Coco8 1,042]

12 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

And I only wish them the best and a safe, happy pregnancy and delivery.  But I would question why she is not insured.  She has apparently been here for well over a year and by law she should have been signed up for some kind of medical care. This is a requirement under Obama Care.  This is the problem with Obama Care.  Younger people and people that like to take risks are not signing up and guess what that does?  It increases the insurance premiums for those who are signed up and it causes people in situations like the op to ask for government assistance when in theory if the Obama Care program worked should never happen.  And who foots the bill now?  I had my spouse covered under my work health insurance 1 month before she arrived in the US.  But that's just me... 

 

We are here to answer questions. Not to question what they intend to do. They OP asked if his wife could use medicaid and rather than answer the question, people kept saying "no, you cannot". But everyone was misinformed. I did a quick search in google and found the answer, gave it to OP, and told him to go to Plan Parenthood and get more information. That is it. The end.

 

 

Edited August 10, 2017 by Coco8

[David & Diana R 1,005]

1 minute ago, Coco8 said:

 

We are here to answer questions. Not to question what they intend to do. They OP asked if his wife could use medicaid and rather than answer the question, people kept saying "no, you cannot". But everyone was misinformed. I did a quick search in google and found the answer, gave it to OP, and told him to go to Plan Parenthood and get more information. That is it. The end.

 

 

Well, I guess you are the know-all, tell-all authority on everything then?  Others are trying to help as am I.  I will admit that I resent that my taxes might be paying for someone else who did not follow the law and get insurance.  I think I have the right to be upset about that.  I do, however only wish the best for this couple and their soon to be born child.  I have offered many suggestions as well as have many others trying to help this couple out.  I think someone needs to take a chill pill.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Every US citizen residing in the United States and every LPR (who by default resides in the United States) is required to have health insurance. Some states extend Medicare for this, others don't. Under the ACA's minimum requirement falls pre-natal care, so that would already be a sufficient answer.

 

It is true that many pre-natal services are covered under Emergency Medicaid, and even though it's not listed as a means-tested benefit, the petitioner's I-864 still applies and the beneficiary's SSN will pop up at the next federal background check, at the very latest at the N-400 interview. At that point, it's (1) payback time, and (2) the N-400 may be denied.

[CEE53147 559]

Given the shortage of OBGYNs and long delays for a first appointment, OP's wife may have trouble finding a physician. At one time in my area first visit with OBGYN even if pregnant was 8-10 months away.

 

There may be a social service agency in their location to advise them both on finances and where to find care.

[lacolinab13 86]

I strongly agree with the recommendation to make an appointment planned parenthood who will know all about the resources available to you. Anecdotally I have heard of green card holders in Texas who got Medicaid for pregnancy and CHIP and did not have any issues as far as I-864. 

 

I've never heard of such a thing as waiting 10 months to see an obstetrician! Rather defeats the purpose doesn't it . I'm sure you will find a doctor who is seeing new patients. 

Edited August 11, 2017 by lacolinab13

[sy1983 31]

In California there is no 5 year ban, any legal immigrant can apply for L.A care and Medi-cal and they will determine your eligibility. 
You can also check with your local hospital, they offer big discounts for people without health insurance. 
Getting a full-time job right now and getting them on your coverage is a good start. 
If you absolutely don't have any other means to pay for health insurance, then I would suggest going back to her home country

and give birth there. When the baby is born, file for CRBA and within a month, your child obtain US citizen and a US passport. 

[Boiler 45,727]

The issue could well be the reimbursement rate for Medicaid and the top guys will not see patients using it.

[lacolinab13 86]

It's true some doctors won't accept Medicaid - although the reimbursements aren't that bad - but for a normal pregnancy I doubt this woman needs the best OB in the state.  

[Diane and Chris 651]

6 hours ago, fitness123 said:

https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/public-charge-fact-sheet

 

If you read under Benefits Not Subject to Public Charge Consideration, Medicare is listed there. Does it mean, my wife is fine applying for Medicare?
 

Medicare is for individuals 65 and over. It is not public assistance. 

[Diane and Chris 651]

1 hour ago, Brother Hesekiel said:

Every US citizen residing in the United States and every LPR (who by default resides in the United States) is required to have health insurance. Some states extend Medicare for this, others don't. Under the ACA's minimum requirement falls pre-natal care, so that would already be a sufficient answer.

 

It is true that many pre-natal services are covered under Emergency Medicaid, and even though it's not listed as a means-tested benefit, the petitioner's I-864 still applies and the beneficiary's SSN will pop up at the next federal background check, at the very latest at the N-400 interview. At that point, it's (1) payback time, and (2) the N-400 may be denied.

Medicare is for those 65 and over. 

[jan22 3,056]

2 hours ago, David & Zoila said:

Well, I guess you are the know-all, tell-all authority on everything then?  Others are trying to help as am I.  I will admit that I resent that my taxes might be paying for someone else who did not follow the law and get insurance.  I think I have the right to be upset about that.  I do, however only wish the best for this couple and their soon to be born child.  I have offered many suggestions as well as have many others trying to help this couple out.  I think someone needs to take a chill pill.

No reason to get snarky.

 

The funding mechanism for Medicaid varies from state-to-state and in many states uses more state than federal funding. So, unless you live in Texas where the OP lives, it is unlikely that many of your taxes will be going to this particular case.  In asking questions about Medicaid, this couple is, in fact, trying to follow the law and get insurance.  In states that allow LPRs to enroll in Medicaid, it is not a violation of the I-864 to do so, as it is not a federal means-tested program.