Subsidized health insurance considered public charge?

[Kiwigirl91 2]

I am an independent full time student, and I work 30-35 hours a week currently. I will have to cut down my work hours to accommodate clinicals soon, but I have to keep health insurance throughout my program. The cut off for benefits at my employer is 29 hours or less a week. I looked on my states marketplace/affordable health insurance website, and with my income I qualify for a subsidy to reduce my monthly payments. I am eligible under the 5 year rule to file for Naturalization next June, and I am anxious that if I get a health insurance plan that is subsidized (not Medicare/Medicaid), then I will no longer be eligible to naturalize. I haven't been able to find a definitive answer online, or on the USCIS website. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks!

[Verrou 1,962]

shouldnt be an issue. 

[JeanneAdil 6,554]

medicare is not subsidized either just for your info

its what each of us must accept when we are social security eligible / its what we pay for each and every paycheck when we work and out of each SS payment when retire

 

February bulletin from USCIS 

https://www.uscis.gov/public-charge#:~:text=In other words%2C USCIS is,the public charge inadmissibility determination.

 

USCIS is no longer applying the August 2019 Public Charge Final Rule. As a consequence, among other changes, USCIS will apply the public charge inadmissibility statute consistent with the 1999 Interim Field Guidance. In other words, USCIS is not considering an applicant’s receipt of Medicaid (except for long-term institutionalization at the government’s expense), public housing, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as part of the public charge inadmissibility determination.

[Mike E 11,740]

58 minutes ago, Kiwigirl91 said:

  I am anxious that if I get a health insurance plan that is subsidized (not Medicare/Medicaid), then I will no longer be eligible to naturalize.

Subsidized ACA is not public charge 

58 minutes ago, Kiwigirl91 said:

I haven't been able to find a definitive answer online, or on the USCIS website. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks!

My experience of 2 seconds of Google

 

      is subsidized aca public charge

 

produced this as the top link:

 

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/

 

“Applying for or receiving Medicaid or CHIP benefits, or getting savings for health insurance costs in the Marketplace, doesn't make someone a "public charge". This means it won’t affect their chances of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen.

There's one exception for people receiving long-term care in an institution at government expense, like in a nursing facility. These people may face barriers getting a green card.”

 

If you are concerned about long term care, then you should buy private long term care insurance. Personally I think it is a waste of money but to each their own.  

 

[Kiwigirl91 2]

3 hours ago, Mike E said:

Subsidized ACA is not public charge 

My experience of 2 seconds of Google

 

      is subsidized aca public charge

 

produced this as the top link:

 

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/

 

“Applying for or receiving Medicaid or CHIP benefits, or getting savings for health insurance costs in the Marketplace, doesn't make someone a "public charge". This means it won’t affect their chances of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen.

There's one exception for people receiving long-term care in an institution at government expense, like in a nursing facility. These people may face barriers getting a green card.”

 

If you are concerned about long term care, then you should buy private long term care insurance. Personally I think it is a waste of money but to each their own.  

 

That's great, thank you! I must have missed that page and not noticed. I appreciate you finding this information.

[Scandi 4,168]

From what I understand, "public charge" can only be an issue if someone seeks to adjust their status or apply for a greencard for the first time. Once you're a permanent resident already, "public charge" isn't a thing anymore. 

[kausar 26]

On 8/26/2022 at 9:39 AM, Kiwigirl91 said:

I am an independent full time student, and I work 30-35 hours a week currently. I will have to cut down my work hours to accommodate clinicals soon, but I have to keep health insurance throughout my program. The cut off for benefits at my employer is 29 hours or less a week. I looked on my states marketplace/affordable health insurance website, and with my income I qualify for a subsidy to reduce my monthly payments. I am eligible under the 5 year rule to file for Naturalization next June, and I am anxious that if I get a health insurance plan that is subsidized (not Medicare/Medicaid), then I will no longer be eligible to naturalize. I haven't been able to find a definitive answer online, or on the USCIS website. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks!

It is not a public charge. You as LPR are eligible to apply for marketplace insurance. They ask your immigration status in the application. We have been using marketplace from the very first year of our green card.  

[kausar 26]

On 8/26/2022 at 6:17 PM, Scandi said:

From what I understand, "public charge" can only be an issue if someone seeks to adjust their status or apply for a greencard for the first time. Once you're a permanent resident already, "public charge" isn't a thing anymore. 

Exactly. It does not affect your eligibility to qualify for citizenship.

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

On 8/26/2022 at 9:39 AM, Kiwigirl91 said:

I am eligible under the 5 year rule to file for Naturalization next June, and I am anxious that if I get a health insurance plan that is subsidized (not Medicare/Medicaid), then I will no longer be eligible to naturalize.

"Public Charge" has never been a consideration for naturalization.... even when President Trump was in office.