Is wife eligible for Medicaid for pregnancy ?

[Illis411 0]

Hi All,

 

Happy to say we finished our CR-1 in 11 months and my wife now has green card 😁

 

And even better news, she is now pregnant and I am wondering our options. We both have low incomes (for NYC standards) and we used my brother as a sponsor.  As independent contractors private insurance would leave us with nothing. I currently use NY state Medicaid with a low monthly payment and I am wondering if she can also utilize NY state Medicaid or go on mine? Or will this only flag us because we used a financial sponsor? Anyone have any experience or knowledge in this department ? Thanks in advance. 

 

Kindly

 

Beam

[geowrian 22,335]

Medicaid eligibility within the first 5 years of becoming an LPR varies by state. I believe NY permits it.

https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/publications/docs/gis/08ma009att.pdf

" Qualified Aliens who are Eligible for State Medicaid until becoming Eligible for Federal Medicaid after a Five Year Waiting Period: Qualified aliens listed below, who entered the U.S. before August 22, 1996, are eligible for federal Medicaid, if otherwise eligible. However, qualified aliens in these four categories who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, are subject to the federal five year ban. This means that they are not eligible for federally funded Medicaid until they have resided in the U.S. for five years in a qualified alien status. Until becoming eligible for federally funded Medicaid, these qualified aliens are eligible for State funded Medicaid coverage of all medically necessary care and services, if they meet the program’s other eligibility requirements. Districts must enter the appropriate State/federal charge codes to assure proper claiming of federal and State shares. For these individuals the date they physically entered the U.S. will determine whether or not Federal Financial Participation (FFP) is available. This date is called the “Date Entered Country” (DEC). During their first five years in the U.S the cost of their Medicaid coverage will be born solely by State and local shares (50% State/50% local). Once a qualified alien in this group has resided in the United States as a qualified alien for a period of five years, FFP will become available. This means the federal government will pay a share of their Medicaid costs. "

[aaron2020 11,651]

Check with the State of NY.

 

In CA, immigrants can get Medicaid (Medi-Cal) because what they get is not funded with federal dollars.  NY may have a similar program.

[Illis411 0]

Yes I believe Medicaid in New York is NOT federally funded. Because we used joint sponsor just not sure if that would be grounds for “assistance” and my bro would get hit with a large bill !!

[geowrian 22,335]

3 minutes ago, Illis411 said:

Yes I believe Medicaid in New York is NOT federally funded. Because we used joint sponsor just not sure if that would be grounds for “assistance” and my bro would get hit with a large bill !!

Medicaid in every state is federally funded. Medicaid is a joint state + local / federal program.

 

Per the document linked above, within the first 5 years they will use state & local funds for coverage. After the 5 years they would begin using federal funds that become accessible.

[aaron2020 11,651]

7 minutes ago, Illis411 said:

Yes I believe Medicaid in New York is NOT federally funded. Because we used joint sponsor just not sure if that would be grounds for “assistance” and my bro would get hit with a large bill !!

Medicaid are joint federal/state programs.  Completely federally funded.  However, for certain groups, CA funds them separately so they can get Medicaid.  

[millefleur 5,035]

**Moved from IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America; topics about insurance are usually discussed there**

[Illis411 0]

12 hours ago, geowrian said:

Medicaid in every state is federally funded. Medicaid is a joint state + local / federal program.

 

Per the document linked above, within the first 5 years they will use state & local funds for coverage. After the 5 years they would begin using federal funds that become accessible.

Ok thank you for clearing that up. But I still am confused.  If we used a joint sponsor though would that be considered “public assistance” if we used Medicaid within that first five years? According to that doc it seems like no, but federal website mentions Medicaid being unavailable to those that use a joint sponsor. So this is an exception by NY state? Does New York just keep this information and therefore is separate from anyone at immigration ?   Hope  that’s not too confusing. Appreciate all comments😊

 

thanks

 

beam

[geowrian 22,335]

20 minutes ago, Illis411 said:

Ok thank you for clearing that up. But I still am confused.  If we used a joint sponsor though would that be considered “public assistance” if we used Medicaid within that first five years? According to that doc it seems like no, but federal website mentions Medicaid being unavailable to those that use a joint sponsor. So this is an exception by NY state? Does New York just keep this information and therefore is separate from anyone at immigration ?   Hope  that’s not too confusing. Appreciate all comments😊

The issue is a 5 year bar on federal funds. NY Medicaid does not use federal funds for immigrants in their first 5 years. There's nothing to repay as no federal funds are being used.

[RWD 2]

My wife was able to get Medi-Cal (California's name for Medicaid) immediately after she arrived here in the US at 5 months pregnant. She is now working and also just became a citizen. We did not have to pay anything for the delivery or hospital stay.

[RWD 2]

Also if you are able to get Medicaid, you should qualify for WIC. At least that's how it worked in California. The free baby formula and baby food was definitely helpful especially if you are low income. Plus there is free food for mom during and immediately after pregnancy.

[Illis411 0]

Just wanted to update thread if someone else finds themselves in similar situation. 

 I still am having second thoughts.  I met with 2 social workers in NYC who have both said it is not without risk. Plus Trumps Public Charge Rule Proposal does not help things!

 

 https://www.boundless.com/blog/public-charge-rule-explained/

 

 

As a freelancer, my wife’s private insurance would be $1,200 a month! I never wanted anything for free but that is just crazy. But it’s use savings and pay that or take a risk that could effect my joint sponsor with a massive bill  and jeopardize her status. Waiting to hear back from an immigration lawyer, but it seems pretty clear to me that it would not be worth risk. 

[geowrian 22,335]

The change to the public charge rules is a proposal. It may never happen, may happen with changes, or may be put into place as-is. Nobody knows what will happen in the future. Even then, it would just be a factor in the total consideration of the case. If one needed to use Medicaid, they probably already do not have a sufficient sponsor. If they are choosing to use Medicaid as the cheapest option for reasonable coverage, that's another story in perspective to the total picture.

 

No repayment of funds would be necessary for the states that permit Medicaid within the first 5 years. This is because the benefits they are receiving are funded through the state, not federal government, during that period. There's nothing to pay back as no federal funds were used, and the state explicitly granted permission to use those funds for those individuals.

[Illis411 0]

7 hours ago, geowrian said:

The change to the public charge rules is a proposal. It may never happen, may happen with changes, or may be put into place as-is. Nobody knows what will happen in the future. Even then, it would just be a factor in the total consideration of the case. If one needed to use Medicaid, they probably already do not have a sufficient sponsor. If they are choosing to use Medicaid as the cheapest option for reasonable coverage, that's another story in perspective to the total picture.

 

No repayment of funds would be necessary for the states that permit Medicaid within the first 5 years. This is because the benefits they are receiving are funded through the state, not federal government, during that period. There's nothing to pay back as no federal funds were used, and the state explicitly granted permission to use those funds for those individuals.

This is very helpful. Thank you. We are gonna go the Medicaid route. Having an affordable option for health care makes things a hell of a lot easier to move forward. Hope this helps others that encounter this.

[RWD 2]

I saw this in another thread directly from the USCIS:

 

Benefits Not Subject to Public Charge Consideration

"Medicaid and other health insurance and health services (including public assistance for immunizations and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases, use of health clinics, short-term rehabilitation services, prenatal care and emergency medical services) other than support for long-term institutional care"

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/public-charge-fact-sheet

 

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