Medical Insurance for parents

[coolmind1414 13]

My parents are coming in few days for their immigration and will be staying here for 3 month (father) and 6 months (mother).  they will be getting their Green card once they arrive. 

 

When they have their green card, are they eligible for some kind of insurance from government? (Which is cheaper than getting it outside)

 

Or they should get it from India? They used to get it from India when they visited on visitor visa. Please help me with this question. Thank you in advance. 

[geowrian 22,337]

Most likely any insurance they get from India won't actually cover them in the US. They aren't visitors anymore.

 

They can signup for insurance on the marketplace: http://healthcare.gov/

They likely won't qualify for any subsidies, though.

 

What is meant by 3 and 6 months..? They'll be permanent residents. They will be living in the US.

[coolmind1414 13]

31 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Most likely any insurance they get from India won't actually cover them in the US. They aren't visitors anymore.

 

They can signup for insurance on the marketplace: http://healthcare.gov/

They likely won't qualify for any subsidies, though.

 

What is meant by 3 and 6 months..? They'll be permanent residents. They will be living in the US.

they will be permanent residents, but at this time, they are only coming for 3 months, 6 months time period. 

healthcare.gov redirected me to California. which has many options. 

Covered California and Medi-Cali

anyone has more information on these?

 

[geowrian 22,337]

29 minutes ago, coolmind1414 said:

they will be permanent residents, but at this time, they are only coming for 3 months, 6 months time period. 

I understand. But I would note that they must maintain their permanent residency within the US. The wording sounds like they plan to visit the US for periods.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

The difference between an green card and a visitor visa is they now make the US their permanent home, including long stints living in the US and filing US taxes as applicable. The green card cannot be used as some sort of super tourist visa. The USC sponsor is responsible for their finances to ensure the new immigrants do not become a public charge; the green card does not entitle them to any government health subsidy. 

[coolmind1414 13]

4 hours ago, WeGuyGal said:

The difference between an green card and a visitor visa is they now make the US their permanent home, including long stints living in the US and filing US taxes as applicable. The green card cannot be used as some sort of super tourist visa. The USC sponsor is responsible for their finances to ensure the new immigrants do not become a public charge; the green card does not entitle them to any government health subsidy. 

so you're saying they will not get Medi-Cali or Covered California coverage?

agree with filing tax and all, but GC does not have any restriction on how long they should stay in this country as long as they want to keep their GC with all rules and regulations. 

[Unlockable 7,314]

8 minutes ago, coolmind1414 said:

so you're saying they will not get Medi-Cali or Covered California coverage?

agree with filing tax and all, but GC does not have any restriction on how long they should stay in this country as long as they want to keep their GC with all rules and regulations. 

You seem to be not fully understanding. Yes, they can choose to stay in the USA for only a few months at a time. But if they continue to do so, they can be subject to have their permanent residency removed. The requirements for the to keep their GC, as you said, is for them to maintain residency here.  Meaning they should be in the US more than outside. So they may get away with it in the beginning, but if it is all too often, then their permanent residency would be at risk.

 

We have had people come on here doing the same thing your parents want to do that ended up loosing their GC's. Then they came on here asking what can they do to get it back. 

 

Just giving you something to think about with that plan.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

16 minutes ago, coolmind1414 said:

so you're saying they will not get Medi-Cali or Covered California coverage?

agree with filing tax and all, but GC does not have any restriction on how long they should stay in this country as long as they want to keep their GC with all rules and regulations. 

GC does come with a rather significant restriction.. not how long they stay in this country, but more importantly; that they not be overseas for long. The way you worded your statement suggests they intend to be in the US only for long as to keep their GC. The correct way is to be living in the US, with short visits abroad. 

 

Green Card = US Permanent Resident

[yuna628 9,676]

32 minutes ago, coolmind1414 said:

so you're saying they will not get Medi-Cali or Covered California coverage?

agree with filing tax and all, but GC does not have any restriction on how long they should stay in this country as long as they want to keep their GC with all rules and regulations. 

To answer the question about obtaining health insurance - sure, if you can afford it, you can obtain health insurance via Covered California. You could also buy it for them privately out of pocket. Either way it's going to cost you. All immigrants are eligible to use the exchanges or purchase health insurance, provided they have proper documentation. However they will not be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.

 

But as to your statement here, a GC does come with restrictions. And if you want them to keep their GC, they must maintain residency here, else you risk losing the rights they have just obtained.

[geowrian 22,337]

2 hours ago, coolmind1414 said:

GC does not have any restriction on how long they should stay in this country as long as they want to keep their GC with all rules and regulations. 

As others noted, LPRs have certain obligations. One such obligation is maintaining permanent residency within the US. Too much time abroad or claiming residency elsewhere (e.g. claiming benefits that require residency) can result in determining that they abandoned permanent residency.

Just want to make sure they're aware of their obligations so it's not a surprise when CBP gives them a warning or hard time.

 

Going back to the health insurance question...

There can be residency requirements that come into play as well. Be sure to check up on what qualifies as it may involve certain timeframes. I don't know Medi-Cal well enough to state specifics.

Edited February 28, 2019 by geowrian