State Health Insurance and Obamacare in Maryland

[nick0379 0]

Hi all,

 

I know that California has its own Medicaid system called Medi-Cal which provides coverage to recent immigrants over 65. Just like this do all states have their own state insurance system?  In particular do anyone have experience with Maryland as state medical insurance and is it similar to Medi-Cal? 

 

Also, how is obamacare in Maryland for parents who are legal immigrants and over 65?

 

Thank you

 

[geowrian 22,337]

Medi-Cal is CA's Medicaid program. Only NY and CA's Medicaid programs allow new immigrants (< 5 years as LPR) to use their programs as that is funded via the state. All others use federal funds, which are barred for new immigrants. So a state's Medicaid program outside of those would generally be prohibited (there are a few provisions for special cases like pregnancy).

 

If not employed, healthcare.gov (aka ACA/obamacare) is the starting point for a plan IMO. These are permissible for new (and pending) immigrants. Beyond that it's private plans.

After being an LPR for 5 years, Medicare eligability will open as well, although they will have to pay into it.

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by geowrian

[millefleur 5,046]

**Moved from Bringing Family Members of US Citizens to America to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America; insurance questions usually discussed there**

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

41 minutes ago, geowrian said:

After being an LPR for 5 years, Medicare eligability will open as well, although they will have to pay into it.

Yup - apart from researching into healthcare costs per se for retired immigrants (as OP is obviously doing, good) it is also good to be aware of the ramifications of retiring in the US with less than 40 quarters' contribution into SS & Medicare. 

 

Some brief info https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-04-2008/ask_ms__medicare_9.html

Edited April 15, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[yuna628 9,676]

Medicare and Medicaid will be off limits to them, OP and MD does not have 'unique' options like other states such as CA and NY.

 

MD has a state exchange so that is certainly available to use. It's currently under open enrollment which has been extended because of the virus. So try and take advantage of exploring options. Your only other option will be to purchase insurance for them privately. It will not be cheap either way. Only other option will be if the elderly immigrants intend to work, and they obtain it via workplace.