mommyofone

On 3/18/2019 at 3:33 PM, databit said:

They can buy into Medicare after 5 years of legal residence, if they are over 65, and if you can afford it! Right now, to buy Part A and Part B Medicare is $572 per month, each. Then you will need to buy a supplement (AKA "Medigap") plan, as Medicare A&B only covers 80% of costs. A supplement that includes medications varies from $200-$360 on average, each, and they do not include dental, hearing aids, and other expenses. So you could be looking at up to $900 each, or $1,800 a month for them both. For Medicare, income doesn't matter (unless they were high income), and you can deduct them from your taxes.

 

Medicaid is income dependent. They should file taxes as zero income. Medicaid is only available in certain states for seniors. If expanded Medicaid is not available in your state, they will need to buy Medicare, as it will be their only remaining choice with zero income.

 

You should forget the marketplace, since they don't earn any money to make the minimum amount needed. 

On 3/17/2019 at 12:14 PM, missads said:

For #1, #2 - you want to apply for Medicaid after the 5 year period, not medicare. Medicaid is free to those who have no income. They don't care whether you had previous coverage or not.

 

#3 - I don't think there is a penalty anymore for not having health insurance, Trump got rid of that last year. In any case, the penalty used to apply only to people who had an income above a certain limit (30K?) Since your parents didn't have any income, they wouldn't have to pay the penalty anyway.

 

#4 - marketplace is indeed closed for 2019. Check if you qualify for special enrollment (if you moved, they traveled outside the country and reentered etc.)

https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/marketplace.html

 

Also, since they didn't have income, they are not required to file taxes, no problem there either. However, I would strongly encourage you to file taxes for them separately for 2018 even with 0 income, as it serves as proof of income for future applications. Also, you can consult a tax advisor about backfiling taxes for the previous years, although this might not be necessary if they file 2018 taxes.

 

Also, what state are you in? Some states have local health exchanges, not healthcare.gov, with different rules.

 

 

Thanks, I am in Texas and my parents are 68 and 78 years old. Do I wait till they had green card for 5 years, that will be next year february to try apply for medicaid? Any info on how to file for that in texas.

I will file taxes for 2018 with 0 income. thanks .

Hi,

I am joining late but my parents are green card holders and did not have health insurance for past 4 years.

I am a single mom ( i know, excuses) and forgot to check that out, thankfully they have been healthy till now and not needed insurance but now I am panicking after someone brought it to my attention and browsing online .

What are my options at this stage?

1) Should I wait till the 5 year and buy medicare for them at that time?

2) Will they ask about previous insurance coverage when I buy medicare? Anyone with experience applying for medicare?

3) I find out that they (that's me) will have to pay penalty for not having health insurance for past 4 years. How do I find how much the penalty is?

4) Too late for marketplace as they closed.

We have never filed income tax for them as they have no income here and so I thought  it is not required when I tried to file the first year they were here. I have not claimed them on my tax return either.

Thanks