Health Insurance for Parents

[Olesia 0]

Hello Friends!

 

Does anyone know how a health insurance works for the parents brought to the USA by a US Citizen? My brother, a US Citizen, has started the process of bringing our parents to the USA for a family reunion. Our only worry is the medical service. Is buying a health insurance the only way for them to get a medical care in America? If so, what health insurance is the best in this case? If some of you have an experience of bringing your parents to the USA for a family reunion, and you were able to find the best way to manage how to provide them with a medical care in America, please, share your information.

 

Thank you all in advance!

[geowrian 22,338]

Options:

1) They work and obtain insurance through their employer.

2) They purchase insurance from the public marketplace or a private insurer.

3) Somebody else purchases it for them.

4) Don't get covered and reap the financial consequences (also has risks of being denied the visa due to risk of becoming a public charge).

 

Edit: 5) In very rare circumstances, dependent parents can be added to one's employer-sponsored insurance plan. This is not common, but I have seen it at least once on these boards.

Edited August 21, 2018 by geowrian

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Search up top, right hand side in the search bar for "travel insurance" or "family insurance" and go through a ton of older threads about this matter. 

 

Nothing is cheap or simple.

[CJKylie 161]

What country are they from? I know in my country, international travel insurance is very reasonably priced, and can simply be bought in advance online

Edited August 21, 2018 by CJKylie

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

2 minutes ago, CJKylie said:

What country are they from? I know in my country, international travel insurance is very reasonably priced, and can simply be bought in advance online

Travel insurance doesn’t cover immigrants. 

 

(Given the subforum I assume OP is talking about visas under the immigrant family reunification program, not just a visit for a “reunion”. If it is just a visit then of course travel insurance is fine as long as no pre-existing conditions.)

Edited August 21, 2018 by SusieQQQ

[CJKylie 161]

Just now, SusieQQQ said:

Travel insurance doesn’t cover immigrants. 

OP said the parents are coming for a family reunion 

[Olesia 0]

I'm from Russia. When my parents are in the United States, they will not need an international travel insurance. They will need an American health insurance because they are coming for a family reunion.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 minute ago, CJKylie said:

OP said the parents are coming for a family reunion 

See my clarification edit as well as OP’s following.

[geowrian 22,338]

13 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

See my clarification edit as well as OP’s following.

Plus the OP stating that his brother was bringing them to the US. If it was for a non-immigrant purpose, the brother would have no role in the process.

[belinda63 3,047]

Your parents will have to purchase insurance. They will not qualify for at least five years for Medicaid or buying into Medicare. 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

26 minutes ago, belinda63 said:

Your parents will have to purchase insurance. They will not qualify for at least five years for Medicaid or buying into Medicare. 

Plus what they qualify for will depend on if they work and contribute or not 

[Jorge V 195]

As others have mentioned once they arrive they'll either have to purchase private health insurance or have it covered via employment. Bear in mind that private health insurance for senior citizens is very expensive and can easily cross into the $1,000 per month per person range.

 

Once they naturalize or have been here for 5 years and are age 65+ they can purchase medicare. Part A is $422/month per person and Part B is $136/month per person. If they work for 40 qualifying quarters (10 years) then they'll be eligible to receive Part A free of cost. If they work for 30-39 quarters they can purchase Part A for a discounted price of $232/month per person.

 

More info can be found here and here.

[Boiler 46,120]

6 hours ago, CJKylie said:

What country are they from? I know in my country, international travel insurance is very reasonably priced, and can simply be bought in advance online

Last time my Mum came the Insurance cost more than the flights.

[CJKylie 161]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Last time my Mum came the Insurance cost more than the flights.

Really?! That’s crazy! I guess maybe to do with age?? I used to pay less than £100 for an annual policy with Virgin!

[CJKylie 161]

6 hours ago, geowrian said:

Plus the OP stating that his brother was bringing them to the US. If it was for a non-immigrant purpose, the brother would have no role in the process.

I see! The wording of family reunion threw me off

Edited August 21, 2018 by CJKylie