Bringing Mother of K1 Visa resident

[NJCube 4]

I brought my husband over from Spain on a K1 visa back in 2015.  My question now is, he has an elderly Mother in Spain that needs help.   We would like to bring her over but don't know if that's possible.   I want to bring her over legally and have her be eligible for health insurance.   What are my options?

 

Thanks.

[Zzyzx 106]

From Spain?  She would be way better off staying there than bringing her here.  Not to mention it would be much more costly to take care of her in the USA.  

[car0593 42]

9 minutes ago, NJCube said:

I brought my husband over from Spain on a K1 visa back in 2015.  My question now is, he has an elderly Mother in Spain that needs help.   We would like to bring her over but don't know if that's possible.   I want to bring her over legally and have her be eligible for health insurance.   What are my options?

 

Thanks.

no way to do it legally until your husband becomes a US CItizen and petions for her.....

[Bsze 50]

Only US citizens can petition for parents to become permanent residents. How long before your husband can apply for naturalization?

 

 

[NJCube 4]

2 minutes ago, car0593 said:

no way to do it legally until your husband becomes a US CItizen and petions for her.....

Thanks car0593.   I was afraid of that.   I know it is off topic but if he becomes a US Citizen by next year and petitions to bring her, will she be eligible for any kind of medical insurance?

[NJCube 4]

1 minute ago, Bsze said:

Only US citizens can petition for parents to become permanent residents. How long before your husband can apply for naturalization?

 

 

Thanks Bsze.   August of 2019.   If we are able to bring her after that, Im not sure how the whole health insurance thing would work.     

[car0593 42]

2 minutes ago, NJCube said:

Thanks car0593.   I was afraid of that.   I know it is off topic but if he becomes a US Citizen by next year and petitions to bring her, will she be eligible for any kind of medical insurance?

she would, but it would have to be paid out of pocket unfortunately... we are having that problem with my grandma..she is a legal permenant resident there fore does not qualify for any medicate ect... we sent her N-400 application recently so hopefully they process it fast!

[Bsze 50]

7 minutes ago, NJCube said:

Thanks Bsze.   August of 2019.   If we are able to bring her after that, Im not sure how the whole health insurance thing would work.     

Health insurance for an older adult in poor health is going to be exorbitant. Even if the both of you had great health insurance through your workplace, I don't think it's possible to add her to it because it's typically reserved for spouses and children. And because she would be a new permanent resident, she wouldn't qualify for Medicare. Depending which state you live in, she might qualify for Medicaid. Is there anyone to help care for her back in Spain?

 

Another thing to consider: under the ACA, people cannot be denied if they have a pre-existing health condition. If the ACA is repealed, his mother might not be able to obtain private health insurance if she has any health conditions.  

Edited February 23, 2018 by Bsze

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

3 minutes ago, car0593 said:

she would, but it would have to be paid out of pocket unfortunately... we are having that problem with my grandma..she is a legal permenant resident there fore does not qualify for any medicate ect... we sent her N-400 application recently so hopefully they process it fast!

Same rules apply whether a US citizen or Green Card holder:

 

What are the eligibility criteria for Medicare? Can a green card holder apply for Medicare?

A US citizen or legal permanent resident aged 65 years or older usually qualify for Medicare. One of the eligibility criteria is that the person or spouse must have worked in the US and paid Medicare taxes for minimum 40 quarters.
If you are a recent green card holder or new immigrant to the US, aged 65 years or older, and never worked in the US, you may not immediately qualify for Medicare
If you don't qualify for free Medicare, you can still purchase it, if the following holds true in your casee:

• You're 65 years or older.
• You have recently become a US citizen by naturalization and haven't worked enough quarters to have social security coverage.
• You are a lawfully admitted alien (green card holder) and have constantly lived in the United States for 5 years or longer and don't qualify for the Social Security benefits

I might add that it isn't cheap. 

 

[Bsze 50]

Your profile says you live in NJ. Is that still current?

 

Under NJ Medicaid rules, you have to be a permanent resident for 5 years before you qualify. And that is assuming you qualify under certain income requirements as well. 

[NJCube 4]

Thanks to everyone who has replied.    Yes, we are still in NJ.    So, if she qualifies for medicaid in 5 years, I guess we can purchase medicare for 5 years.   Missleman says it aint cheap.   any idea how much that is?

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

6 minutes ago, NJCube said:

Thanks to everyone who has replied.    Yes, we are still in NJ.    So, if she qualifies for medicaid in 5 years, I guess we can purchase medicare for 5 years.   Missleman says it aint cheap.   any idea how much that is?

 

Part A premiums

If you buy Part A, you'll pay up to $422 each month in 2018. If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $422. If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $232.

In most cases, if you choose to buy Part A, you must also have Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) and pay monthly premiums for both. Contact Social Security for more information about the Part A premium.

Edited February 23, 2018 by missileman

[AshMarty 360]

19 minutes ago, NJCube said:

Thanks to everyone who has replied.    Yes, we are still in NJ.    So, if she qualifies for medicaid in 5 years, I guess we can purchase medicare for 5 years.   Missleman says it aint cheap.   any idea how much that is?

 

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-a-costs/part-a-costs.html

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-b-costs/part-b-costs.html

 

Also Medicare doesn't always have the greatest coverage.

 

Per Part B: 

After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these:

• Most doctor services (including most doctor services while you're a hospital inpatient)
• Outpatient therapy
• Durable medical equipment 

 

Many of my patients actually purchase supplementary or secondary insurance as well (which is another 200-300 dollars a month, it is not necessary but if your parents have health issues will be very useful). Most supplements would pick up the 20% that you would typically be charged. 

 

My medicare patient's never believe me when I tell then their PT benefit is used up for the year (and we only just started the year). Medicare also doesn't cover some medications which is another reason to look into supplementary insurance. 

Edited February 23, 2018 by AshMarty

[AshMarty 360]

18 minutes ago, AshMarty said:

 

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-a-costs/part-a-costs.html

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-b-costs/part-b-costs.html

 

Also Medicare doesn't always have the greatest coverage.

 

Per Part B: 

After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these:

• Most doctor services (including most doctor services while you're a hospital inpatient)
• Outpatient therapy
• Durable medical equipment 

 

Many of my patients actually purchase supplementary or secondary insurance as well (which is another 200-300 dollars a month, it is not necessary but if your parents have health issues will be very useful). Most supplements would pick up the 20% that you would typically be charged. 

 

My medicare patient's never believe me when I tell then their PT benefit is used up for the year (and we only just started the year). Medicare also doesn't cover some medications which is another reason to look into supplementary insurance. 

So just to put things into perspective.

 

If you go to the hospital and have a $20,000 procedure (which in not an unreasonable amount to be billed to insurance for a procedure) You would receive a $4,000 medical bill. This is why many people like to have a supplement/secondary insurance to Medicare. 

Edited February 23, 2018 by AshMarty

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

I concur with @Dee elle that $1000/mo is a reasonable minimum estimate.