I want to bring my mom to the USA soon and I'm wondering about the health care and coverage for her as a permanent resident. Anybody has been there done that?

The problem is the wait as a LPR to bring her here to live if that is your intention. Or are you speaking of visiting ?

Correct, an LPR cannot file an I-130 petition for an immigrations visa for a parent, only a US Citizen can file for a parent, and NOT for in-laws.

So first you need to naturalize and become a US citizen before you can file that petition for your parent.

Or is she coming to the USA to visit?

If just a visit, then google search for visitors or travel medical insurance.

Here is one: http://www.nriol.net/

I'm getting the US citizenship next year and going to file for my mom after that. I'm asking about this case and the medical insurance for her as a legal permanent resident.

I'm no expert on the subject, so I might be overlooking something. But, as far as I know, one's citizenship or residency should have no bearing on the ability to obtain insurance. You should talk with your insurance agent or representative.

Correct, the government does not provide medical insurance for permanent residents or even for US citizens, some states provide insurance to citizens that fall below a set amount of income.

I added my wife to my medical policy at my place of employment, but the coverage stops with immediate family members (Wife and children).

You need to talk with insurance companies about getting coverage for your parent once they are in the USA.

I know California provides some form of Medi-Cal to just about anyone who is here legally with a social security number, regardless if they have an I-864 sponsor if you are over a certain age and under a certain income, or are disabled.
But finding private coverage for someone over 50 or 60 is going to cost you an arm and a leg. My recommendation is for mom to get a job with benefits ASAP, even if it is washing floors at your local super market.

Yes, my mom is 57 with a chronic illness and not only does she pay an arm and a leg, but they raise the rate frequently.

I haven't done that; however, I have an idea. Consider self-insuring until she gains eligibility, if ever, to qualify for employer-sponsored coverage or Medicare. To self-insure, you simply place money in savings periodically for the purpose of paying any medical bills she may incur. You may also consider flying her back home for treatment in case it becomes necessary.

"Self-insuring" sounds like a terrible idea. Most people who are old enough to have married children have an issue or two with their health already that would require somewhat regular attention/medication. And flying someone all the way to Russia if they get sick? My Russian health insurance airlifts you OUT to Finland in case of a very serious issue, although I have never had any real problem with the healthcare I have received in Russia.

Thank you for your replies!

I know that to pay for the insurance of a woman around 60 is a lot (and there is no problem finding it). I was wondering about the real experience somebody might have and if immigrants can get any governmental insurance. There are so many russian people after 60 in the USA, hard to believe they pay for their insurance themselves thousands of dollars!

Of course there are. The majority that I know are all like me, Refugees. If you come as a Refugee you get all government benefits including SSI, Social Security, and Medical care. Very few folks at that age came through "family" immigration. And if you are wondering how you we all got refugee status....well it was based on either Religion (Jewish or Baptist); Political (Not a communist and persecuted), and even race works today in the xenophobic Russia. In California it is not a problem as I mentioned before because the state will take on the burden of the elderly and disabled. Not sure what New York, Illinois, Washington, or Florida does, as those states also hold a sizeable Russian population. Lastly, you can always take the slim risk that the government won't enforce the I-864 and if something does happen medically, you mom will still be treated, and since she has no assets and no earnings she is also judgment proof. A bankruptcy can also help clear out medical debts every 7 years.

important point is raised here...

and it looks like there is no real answer but to pay "an arm and a leg" for any parent one might want to bring to usa. what is approximate amount i wonder? about 1K a month ? more? does it really cover anything serious?

asking anybody of age above 60 from different country to find a job here with benefits is absolutely rediculous idea (better try and win lottery, say, that one that pays 1K a week for life).

also, some replies here are mildly put - wierd (I'd been frustrated if I started this topic). one would think that some simple thinking process must be in place for writing a reply...
Satellite you're good provider of information, as usual, even though no real breakthrough here. Thanks,

obender

I can't speak for other states but here in NY there are plenty of FREE medical insurances for people with low income or no income at all. I am sure your mom would be eligible for it ( at least in NY)

To find a job for an immigrant over 60 years old and with a good insurance is unreal (a lot of americans can't find it) and I don't want her to work (to be eligable for an insurance from work you have to work full time - that's nor for my mom to be 60 in couple of years).

Satellite,

What did you do to come as a refugee? Did you have anybody in the USA before that? Is it a long process and does it have any "undersurface stones"?

NYgirl,

What do you mean "plenty of FREE medical insurances for people with low income or no income at all"? Medacaid? I don't know any others. Bwy I looked at medicaid of our state (Alabama) and they consider sponsor's income, too. With my hubby being a sponsor we won't be qualified.

She can get a job that offers health insurance.

[/quote]She can get a job that offers health insurance.


To get it she needs to work full time and she is not at the age to do that and her English is poor and I just don't need her to work somewhere when she wants to be with me helping raising her grandchild.

Being Jewish in the Soviet Union was our ticket out in late 1988. My uncle was here in the late 1970's based on the same reason. Recent relatives have again been successful getting out as Jews being persecuted in Russia. Not sure what "undersurface stones" means, but the process is rather lengthy. Several years perhaps.

Why don't you hire her as a babysitter, pay her a wage (and pay the social security tax) and offer her health insurance as an employment benefit? Solves a couple of issues all in one shot. Seems like a good solution.

NY state has Health Plus, Metro Plus ( and some others that I do not know the names) From what I know those 2 do not look at sponsors, only your income and if it's none or low you are qualified.
I wasn't talking about Medicaid though.

If mom is hubby's dependent, wouldn't she be covered under his employer-provided health insurance?

(If he claims her on his taxes, like she lives with you and has no income, he has to claim her, right? If so, she should be covered under his insurance as well.)

Well, insurance is only for immidiate family (spouse and children).

In any case, dependents are generally only covered until age 18 or age 22/23 if they are full-time college students. I don't know of an employer insurance that will cover all dependents regardless of their age.

Yes, that's true, akdiver!

I just asked my hubby and he is going to find out but 90% sure his insurance only covers spouses and children.

I need to find something else.

If your mom is single, find her a nice gentlemen here who would marry her, and have him put her on his insurance coverage.

Now there's an idea!

Find her somebody she would fall in love with and be happy would be really great but it doesn't happend "just as you wish"! I looked around and where was nobody to consider (the age, interests, his desire (her English is poor) living in the same area and financial status)

So any candidates?

I don't have any candidates for your mom, but I think maybe you should check out AARP, the American Association of Retired People. I think their website is aarp.org. I am pretty sure they have some kind of insurance or prescription drug plan or something for people who are in a similar situation to your mother's.

Edit: http://www.aarp.org/aarp_benefits/offer_insurance/ here

Just realized you were in Alabama. What you should do is pull out all but one of her teeth and then get her down to the local Waffle House. The truckers passing through there would love her accent and it would only be a matter of time before one of them asked her to join him on the "open road."

eekee,
I'm really interested in this question too, for planning purposes. I know its personal, but would you be willing to put a number around that arm and a leg for us? My MIL will be older and if my wife gets her here later, she for sure will not be working (unless maybe for us -- AKDivers idea is intriguing).

I can ask her next time I call her; I don't really remember off the top of my head. But as I said, my mom has a chronic degenerative disease which requires much more spending on the part of the insurance company, so she is not a good standard by which to measure cost, unless your MIL also has a disease beyond the usual ones which come with age.

Aren't most chronic degenerative diseases covered (eventually) by Medicare?

You need to either be a citizen or have been a permanent resident for 5 years to qualify for medicare.

I found a company that offers health insurance to immigrants. You may wish to check them out at:
"http://www.immigrationhealth.com/"

Thank you, Andrew

Something to look into and learn about.

Thank you, too, Andrew.

OP:

FYI...

Concerning my own insurance needs - I found some interesting things. I found some policies that are for a specific period of time, that let you make one-time payment of premium (seems easier than monthly billing), that have reasonable deductibles. Some examples:

Assurant Health 93 days, $545.59 $500 deductible, 20% coinsurance. You pay 20% after deductible.
Assurant Health, 93 days, $483.58 $1000 deductible, 0% coinsurance. You pay 0% after deductible.
Assurant Health 93 days, $365.96 $1000 deductible, 20% coinsurance. You pay 20% after deductible.

Plan Highlights:
-freedom to choose own doctor and hospitals
-prescription drug coverage
-in-hospital and out-patient benefits
-does not cover pre-existing conditions (anything diagnosed or treated in the last 5 years)
-foreigners have to be in the country for a year before applying
-plays for up to 12 months (and then you can re-apply/renew) [I looked for 93 days because that's what I am interested in]

Kinda seems too good to be true (for my purposes).They have other options with higher deductibles - but I figure that if I were going to go that route, then I might as well stick with COBRA. For the $70 price difference, the first option seems like a good way to go - but the 0% coinsurance on the second option looks pretty good too.

Your big issue is going to be any pre-existing conditions that she has. It seems almost guaranteed that she isn't going to find anyone to cover that. At that point, it's not really "insurance" its getting someone else to pay bills you KNOW she is going incur.

Good luck!
AKDiver