I haven't seen any info on this. My wife plans on petitioning to bring her parents to the States when she becomes a citizen but I am concerned about if they would be eligible for medicare, etc when they arrive. If not eligible for medicare than does anyone know of any alternatives?

They are in their early sixties right now so probably will be 65 or older when they get here.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks, Dave

Subject comes up frequently, apaprt from a few who were young enough and hopeful enough to get jobs with Medical Insurance, I have no idea how people even consider it.

Per M D Young, not sure if he still posts here:

Medicaid is health insurance coverage for low income people and it's state run with help from the Federal government.

http://tinyurl.com/2eqh3a

Medicare is totally Federal run.

You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to be covered by Medicare. If you are at least age 65 and earn the 40 credits from Medicare/Social Security covered employment or your spouse has earned the 40 credits or you are entitled to Social Security Disablity Insurance benefits for 24 months, you can be covered by Medicare and Part A will be free. You can buy Medicare Part A and B if you have been a permanant resident for 5 years and are at least age 65.

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0600801006
HI 00801.006 Requirements for Entitlement - Regular Insured Provision

HI 00801.131 Eligibility for Premium-HI
https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0600801131

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0600805005
HI 00805.005 Eligibility for SMI

The one thing I'm not sure about is that states can pick up the Medicare premiums for low income people, but not sure if you can qualify for the Buy-In
without being a U.S. citizen.

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0600801139
HI 00801.139 QMB Provisions

Thank you for the informative links, Boiler. This is an important issue for people to consider - the reality behind the warm, glowing idea of bringing their parents to live with them in the States.

I'm considering offering for my parents to come over, myself ( once I am a citizen, that is ). They are active, healthy people for the most part, and will probably be able to work for some years after arriving. They can also bring quite a number of assets if they want to - but I still worry about health care for them. You get more prone to needing medications and other care as you grow older. I only want to bring them here if they can be happy, self-sufficient and properly looked after here, with good health care and such, ( as good as or better than back in my native country, preferably ) so it is by no means an easy matter. I am trying to form a clearer picture of what would be required with regards to health care especially, so thanks again for the info.

I am planning on bringing my parents here once I have my citizenship... I have looked into healthcare for my parents and here in MA I can get them health insurance for about $375 a months each.... My dad plans on getting some sort of employment and if health insurance come with it then they will use that if not then they will pay the high cost of insurance themselves until they are eligible to become citizens and can then apply for discounted medical plans...

This is one area that you have to ensure either thay can afford to pay for it themselves or you can pay for them.... I know my parents asked themselves this question... "If they could not get employment could they still afford to pay for their helthcare costs"? for them if they answer had been NO then they would not be planning to come over...

Kez

Thanks for the replies...I did find this link http://www.buyamericaninsurance.com/compare/newimmigrant.do and see that there are possibilities other than medicare/medicaid, but most plans like this come with a healthy (so to speak) 3 year pre-exisitng condition clause.

In my case both of my wife's parents have had some illnesses, but in the last year they have managed to stay fairly healthy which we are thankful for.

My mother-in-law could probably work for a few years here part-time, but I don't know if any health insurance benefits would come with it of course.

We are still a few years away from them coming so at least I have more time to see what happens with their health and our finances.

Definately an issue that can't be ignored however.

Dave

I have a similar question. Can a UK citizen bring his private insurance over here? My friend is age 66 and has had private insurance in the UK for years and they have told him that they are worldwide. What's the catch? Very high premiums if he continues on with it in the US?

BUPA type thing?

Firstly it is a top up policy, so not comparable. Might be a worldwide extension for overseas trip, a bit like adding travel insurance.

Secondly a pound to a penny says it is for UK Residents only.

Thirdly, the costs increase significantly with every extra year.

I don't know what BUPA thing means but I will ask him. He says they told him he could move over here and still keep it. He's had this insurance for years and years and I don't know about it increasing every year but it's been affordable for him. Thank you for your reply.