Medicare for Immigrants

[Sarge2155 4,584]

Just now, Lil bear said:

I will take that as a complement .. not dead or useless yet ! 

I heard that me either!

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

15 hours ago, Sarge2155 said:

Thank you. I also was worried about that!

These are some other sources I used.  

1.  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-health-coverage-options/original-medicare-costs/eligibility-for-premium-free-part-a-if-you-are-over-65-and-medicare-eligible

2.  https://boomerbenefits.com/can-i-get-medicare-through-my-spouse/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dynamic-search&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyYKUBhDJARIsAMj9lkGK4mFW-_b5JklJqFXml_hW6J3IxHqWBq1_jwGr3T7ggsR2H1WSvbYaAo0bEALw_wcB

3.  https://www.healthline.com/health/medicare/can-you-get-medicare-if-you-have-never-worked#premium-free-part-a

4.  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-health-coverage-options/original-medicare-costs/qualifying-for-premium-free-part-a-based-on-your-spouses-work-history

[BioNat 25]

An important reminder is that if you don't qualify for the premium-free Part A, you still can have it, by paying. And having or not Part A (and having it free or not) does not impact your eligibility to get Part B.

 

Also, if you have never contributed to Social Security, you will NOT be able to enroll online (you won't be able to create a login), and you'll have to schedule with your local Social Security Office to do it (not sure if it's the same with spousal eligibility). Another thing is that sometimes the person from Social Security might be a tad dense and not know their own regulations, so be sure to be well informed before talking to them. Here in WI we had to talk to other agencies from the state that help seniors with benefits. Even though my mom did not qualify for financial help, they helped a lot with getting us the right rules and such to talk to Social Security (information that Social Security person we talked to didn't know).

 

So, if you are 65 and has 5 years of legal residency, you are eligible to purchase Medicare, even if you have never contributed or worked in the US. You will have to pay for Part A if you want it, but you can just skip it and get only Part B if you want.

For my mom, she never worked in the US (she came after retired), so she was unable to enroll online and would have to pay for Part A. So, when she completed 5 years of legal residency (and having more than 65 year old), she became eligible for Medicare. She decided NOT to get Part A and only get Part B and D. Bad thing is, that you can only get Medicare Advantage if you get Part A and B; but still, we put all on paper and for her situation, it was not worth it.

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

Case Update:  We went to one of our local Social Security Offices yesterday.  We completed the application for my wife's Medicare and spousal Social Security benefits based on my work record.  We should get some information within the next 30 days.  I will update then.

[Sarge2155 4,584]

4 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Case Update:  We went to one of our local Social Security Offices yesterday.  We completed the application for my wife's Medicare and spousal Social Security benefits based on my work record.  We should get some information within the next 30 days.  I will update then.

Very good!

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

Flash Update!!!!

 

I just logged on to my wife's Social Security online account.  Yesterday, August 3rd, she was APPROVED for full Medicare (Premium Free Part A and normal Part B) and she will receive monthly Social Security Spousal Income (based on my work record)!!!!  WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, they approved her application in one week!!!!

I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my back..LOL!!!

Edited August 4, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Lil bear 4,149]

8 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Flash Update!!!!

 

I just logged on to my wife's Social Security online account.  Yesterday, August 3rd, she was APPROVED for full Medicare (Premium Free Part A and normal Part B) and she will receive monthly Social Security Spousal Income (based on my work record)!!!!  WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, they approved her application in one week!!!!

I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my back..LOL!!!

I know how you feel. We got Medicare the same way except that both of us are LPR.. less than 5 years when Peter applied, but fully vested with more than 40 quarters. Both on Part A and B and getting primary and spouse benefit ( i still don't gave 40 quarters). It was a huge load of us too. The medicare info was so unclear and contradictory for our situations. Celebrate ! 

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

8 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

I know how you feel. We got Medicare the same way except that both of us are LPR.. less than 5 years when Peter applied, but fully vested with more than 40 quarters. Both on Part A and B and getting primary and spouse benefit ( i still don't gave 40 quarters). It was a huge load of us too. The medicare info was so unclear and contradictory for our situations. Celebrate ! 

I was surprised because we just received her activation code to create her SS online account this afternoon.  When I used the activation code to log in for the first time, I couldn't believe my eyes.  They had already approved her application..... 

[Joyoussinger 1,425]

54 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Flash Update!!!!

 

I just logged on to my wife's Social Security online account.  Yesterday, August 3rd, she was APPROVED for full Medicare (Premium Free Part A and normal Part B) and she will receive monthly Social Security Spousal Income (based on my work record)!!!!  WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, they approved her application in one week!!!!

I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my back..LOL!!!

Congratulations! How wonderful when something like this goes quickly and easily! 

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

For future reference, this is what we submitted at the Social Security office last week:

 

SSA-2-bk

Wife's Birth Certificate

Our Marriage Certificate

Copy of Wife's Green card

Wife's checking account number and bank routing number

 

It's a pretty simple process.

Edited August 5, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Sarge2155 4,584]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

For future reference, this is what we submitted at the Social Security office last week:

 

SSA-2-bk

Wife's Birth Certificate

Our Marriage Certificate

Copy of Wife's Green card

 

It's a pretty simple process.

Noted and thanks!

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

9 hours ago, Sarge2155 said:

Noted and thanks!

Believe it or not, my wife just got her first Social Security payment deposit this morning.... unbelievable. This has to be some kind of record...LOL.

[Lil bear 4,149]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Believe it or not, my wife just got her first Social Security payment deposit this morning.... unbelievable. This has to be some kind of record...LOL.

Amazing !! Now if USCIS processing her   I 751 would do the  same!! 

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

12 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Amazing !! Now if USCIS processing her   I 751 would do the  same!! 

That's the first thing my wife said...LOL.  We are going to submit her N-400 (5 year rule) within the next week. 

 

[Sarge2155 4,584]

3 hours ago, Lil bear said:

Amazing !! Now if USCIS processing her   I 751 would do the  same!! 

I was just about to say the same thing!!!!