r2i forum

Hi guys,

I am exploring all options for parents Health insurance costs if i were to stay back in USA even though i have couple of years to apply for USC.

I understand that our parents are not eligible for Medcaid / Medicare. Are there any state programs to bring down the cost ? How much does a private insurance cost for 70+ old ? How are immigrants taking care of this issue ?

I would appreciate if we could brain storm and come up with some options. I am sure lot of folks in the same boat.

Look forward for responses.

Thanks.

^ bump

C'mon guys, nothing ?

MeraNaseebR2I,

Great news !! I live in NJ. Thankyou very much for ur reply.

I feel a big weight lifted off my shoulders !!

hopetor2i;15813Hi guys,

I am exploring all options for parents Health insurance costs if i were to stay back in USA even though i have couple of years to apply for USC.

I understand that our parents are not eligible for Medcaid / Medicare. Are there any state programs to bring down the cost ? How much does a private insurance cost for 70+ old ? How are immigrants taking care of this issue ?

I would appreciate if we could brain storm and come up with some options. I am sure lot of folks in the same boat.

Look forward for responses.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, there are a very limited number of choices available for elderly new immigrants. Please visit New Immigrant Insurance to look at various private insurance plans available.

They are not eligible for Medicare. Please read the useful article New Immigrants Medical Insurance to understand that in more detail.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time toll-free at (866) INSU-BUY.

insubuy;358681Unfortunately, there are a very limited number of choices available for elderly new immigrants. Please visit New Immigrant Insurance to look at various private insurance plans available.

They are not eligible for Medicare. Please read the useful article New Immigrants Medical Insurance to understand that in more detail.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time toll-free at (866) INSU-BUY.

InsuBuy,

How about CA?
In MA, Mass-Health covers ER for new green card arrivals.

There is not a good choice available in CA either.

In NC, there's a plan run by the state called Inclusive health which accepts anyone without any age restrictions. www.inclusivehealth.org. This was setup as per "obama care" mandate. Most states should offer one in next couple of years.

The premiums/annual deductibles are high (it may add to 9k per year - 4.5k premium and 4.5k deductible for someone above 65) but it covers pre-existing condition. It also pays for free checkups without any deductibles. So in the worse case scenario, you pay 9k. IMO, this is a good option for peace of mind and proper checkups.

If the parent has some income then they may be eligible for some federal tax credit to offset this. (you need to explore this). Or setup HSA to pay with pre-tax dollars.

desipardesi;358903In NC, there's a plan run by the state called Inclusive health which accepts anyone without any age restrictions. www.inclusivehealth.org. This was setup as per "obama care" mandate. Most states should offer one in next couple of years.

The premiums/annual deductibles are high (it may add to 9k per year - 4.5k premium and 4.5k deductible for someone above 65) but it covers pre-existing condition. It also pays for free checkups without any deductibles. So in the worse case scenario, you pay 9k. IMO, this is a good option for peace of mind and proper checkups.

If the parent has some income then they may be eligible for some federal tax credit to offset this. (you need to explore this). Or setup HSA to pay with pre-tax dollars.

Cool! And they cover green card too!!!
http://www.inclusivehealth.org/stateoption/checklist.htm

PS: I look forward to the day when health is no more an actuarian calculation.

insubuy;358807There is not a good choice available in CA either.

In CA Medi-Cal covers GC holders if they are above the age of 65 or are disabled. Its a 0 cost coverage and also has PPO plans available. In Santa Clara county they give you an option of going with regular Medi-Cal or Atena Anthem PPO.

dixit;359095In CA Medi-Cal covers GC holders if they are above the age of 65 or are disabled. Its a 0 cost coverage and also has PPO plans available. In Santa Clara county they give you an option of going with regular Medi-Cal or Atena Anthem PPO.

The complete rule for Medi-Cal eligibility is

* Be over 65 or disabled.

* Have non-exempt property worth less than $2,000, or $3,000 for a married couple if both are
applying for benefits. “Exempt” property that doesn’t count includes your home, one car,
personal belongings (clothing, furniture, etc.), property needed for your work, term and some
other life insurance policies, prepaid burial plans and certain other items.

* Have “countable income” of less than $1,153 a month for one person, $1,545 for a married

couple if both are applying for benefits.

Please note that for new immigrants, "countable income" includes the income of the sponsor. And when you sponsored the person, you already certified that your income is at least above 125% of the poverty level for the household size. Therefore, you don't qualify for Medi-Cal as it is income based.

Also, as you can see, another requirement is, less than $2,000 in property. That is worldwide property. $2,000 is less than Rs. 1 Lakh. And most people would have at least some jewerly or other property that is worth more than $2,000.

It is certainly possible that some people mistakenly get enrolled as the county person who enrolls you may not be aware of all the rules all the time. However, in case of any big expense, once they investigate, they will quickly find out that you were not eligible to begin with, and will ask the sponsor to pay that, which the sponsor is obigated to pay by the virtue of contract.