MEDICAID and Health Insurance

[karimaelo 0]

I am a green card holder, my wife is a U.S. citizen. I have moved to the U.S in October 2015. I have an AOS as a joint sponsor.

When My wife and I moved to the U.S. she was pregnant and I didn't have job at that time. So she checked her illegibility for MEDICAID and she was approved for it. Since she didn't have income at that time neither she had for 2015 year. We had our baby in January and automatically our baby was enrolled in the same MEDICAID plan.

I recently found a job. But they don't offer health insurance.

When I called an insurance broker and explained my situation to her she said I don't have to buy a health insurance for my wife and child since they are already on MEDICAID and I only have to apply for myself.

My questions:

1) Since I have a job now, I have to find a family plan for my wife and child and I. And cancel MEDICAID? Or do I have the option to keep the MEDICAID for my wife and child and just purchase a plan for myself.

2) What impacts are there if I keep the MEDICAID for my wife and child while I can purchase a private health plan.

3) Will my joint AOS be affected with this?

4) Does this impact my immigration status and applying for citizenship in three years.

I am sorry if I am posting this in the wrong forum.

Thanks

[yuna628 9,680]

You as the immigrant are ineligible for Medicaid for five years. Your wife however, as a US citizen is fine - the coverage is going to her and not you. At any time you may chose to buy your own health insurance privately, obtain health insurance via your workplace (which isn't an option for you), or obtain health insurance via the federal or state exchange (ACA/Obamacare) - your immigrant status does not prevent you from doing that. You may also do any of these same things for your wife. As to whether you should choose to add her to a new plan, is all up to you and your financial situation. Is the plan you find giving you better coverage for your family, for instance? How expensive is it for you etc?

[karimaelo 0]

You as the immigrant are ineligible for Medicaid for five years. Your wife however, as a US citizen is fine - the coverage is going to her and not you. At any time you may chose to buy your own health insurance privately, obtain health insurance via your workplace (which isn't an option for you), or obtain health insurance via the federal or state exchange (ACA/Obamacare) - your immigrant status does not prevent you from doing that. You may also do any of these same things for your wife. As to whether you should choose to add her to a new plan, is all up to you and your financial situation. Is the plan you find giving you better coverage for your family, for instance? How expensive is it for you etc?

I was just trying to get a health insurance through the marketplace in healthcare.gov. The bronze category plans are around 400 - 500$ but their coverage is limited and the silver ones are from 500 - 800$ which has a better coverage than the bronze. But I am still new here and insurance plans are not easy for me to understand all the conditions and options. Since I have a new born baby I would like to make sure that she is 100% covered with doctor visits and vaccines. The MEDICAID is covering all this 100%. I am not really worried about getting a health insurance for me.

Is there a risk in keeping the MEDICAID for my wife and baby? I remember when my wife applied for the MEDICAID I was still in my country so she didn't mention me as I was not planning on getting a MEDICAID. And she also rejected the option of receiving food stamps as we have some savings we can rely on till I find a job.

I am still a contractor at my job and hoping to convert into a permanent employee and if this happens I will be covered by the employer with a convenient plan which has a good coverage and a minimal amount deducted from my pay stub. At that time I am planning to cancel my wife's and baby's MEDICAID. But will this risk my immigration status? That my family are using MEDICAID during the period I have a job and able to get my own coverage?

Thanks for your reply.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Like the above poster said, NO. Your USC wife & your USC baby are entitled to Medicaid. Don't sweat it.

Edited March 4, 2016 by EM_Vandaveer