Parents of US Citizen

[Boiler 43,556]

The guides cover the basics so no need to duplicate them, EAD  is taking 4 to 6 months for most.

 

Looking at your timeline and doing some basic maths sounds like they are pretty close to retirement.

[Lil bear 3,840]

Let me add some  info I found in my  research  recently that has already been raised in this thread .. health insurance. 

Husband and I came on IR5 3 years ago. We were LPR previously from 1982 to 1990 so he has 40 quarters plus in SS. But because of the 5 year blackout for LPR to access Medicare we are facing 2 years of self funded health insurance when he retires soon. 

Our state exchange now has 1 provider only .. silver plans run at $2600 per month premium with deductible of 6000 and max  out of pocket of 13500. These plans  are not eligible for HSA. 

We knew this before we immigrated and had factored it in ... but it’s still painful to have to set aside a minimum of $25000 for each of the next 2 years before the insurance will start paying .. 

Sticker shock is an understatement . Yes some options may be available in some states etc but you can’t  count on it.  We can get tax credits but have to really watch income from any part time work, social security and investments .. otherwise we risk a tax bill of $240000 to repay the PTC   If you go $1 over the income limit it all needs to be refunded 

Be aware 

Edited May 13, 2019 by Lil bear

[Ontarkie 13,920]

~~moved to Bring Family of USC, from Bringing Family of PR~~

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

2 hours ago, Lil bear said:

Let me add some  info I found in my  research  recently that has already been raised in this thread .. health insurance. 

Husband and I came on IR5 3 years ago. We were LPR previously from 1982 to 1990 so he has 40 quarters plus in SS. But because of the 5 year blackout for LPR to access Medicare we are facing 2 years of self funded health insurance when he retires soon. 

Our state exchange now has 1 provider only .. silver plans run at $2600 per month premium with deductible of 6000 and max  out of pocket of 13500. These plans  are not eligible for HSA. 

We knew this before we immigrated and had factored it in ... but it’s still painful to have to set aside a minimum of $25000 for each of the next 2 years before the insurance will start paying .. 

Sticker shock is an understatement . Yes done optoms may be available in some states etc but you can’t  count on it.  We can get tax credits but have to really watch income from any part time work, social security and investments .. otherwise we risk a tax bill of $240000 to repay the PTC   If you go $1 over the income limit it all needs to be refunded 

Be aware 

Oh wow, that's helpful. I somehow didn't think the 5 year bar would apply if you already had the 40 quarters... this doesn't affect us but could be really useful to others.

[Lil bear 3,840]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

Oh wow, that's helpful. I somehow didn't think the 5 year bar would apply if you already had the 40 quarters... this doesn't affect us but could be really useful to others.

Thx SusieQQQ.  Unfortunately the first reading of the public information available from SSA and Medicare makes it look like the 5 year rule doesn’t apply if you are over 65 and have 40 quarters. But the Medicare rep on the phone line read out their manual’s guidelines to me and it does in fact apply. ☹️  We’ve submitted an application for Medicare  to test it .. seems the only way to get a definitive answer.  It’s a lot like trying to piece together the immigration rules and tax laws 😱

Edited May 13, 2019 by Lil bear

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

30 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Thx SusieQQQ.  Unfortunately the first reading of the public information available from SSA and Medicare makes it look like the 5 year rule doesn’t apply if you are over 65 and have 40 quarters. But the Medicare rep on the phone line read put their manual guidelines to me and it does in fact apply. ☹️  We’ve submitted an application for Medicare  to test it .. seems the only way to get a definitive answer It’s a lot like trying to prince together the immigration rules and tax laws 😱

Good luck.  But also, well done for researching it all in advance and being prepared.

[Boiler 43,556]

I always assumed that the qualifying factors were separate, after there are plenty of people who have acquired 40 quarters working illegally but that would not get them Medicare.