What Are Your Green Card Insurance Options?
Although requirements will vary depending on your specific situation, most lawful residents and green card holders are required to have qualifying health insurance according to the Affordable Care Act. Depending on your current resident status, you will have a number of different option available to you. It is important to meet with a qualified insurance professional to determine what health insurance options are right for you.
Green Card Holders
Green card holders or lawful permanent residents are not much different than U.S. citizens when it comes to health insurance. Depending on your specific circumstances, you can get health coverage from your place of employment, through a public assistance program or through an individual plan purchased through the health insurance marketplace.
If you are a green card holder who travels frequently between your home country and the U.S. you may want to consider purchasing short term travel medical insurance to stay covered when you are in the U.S.
Green card holders and Medicare
Medicare is a need based federal health insurance program designed to provide coverage to those with little to no income. This may be available for green card holders who meet certain criteria. Lawful permanent residents may qualify for Medicare if they can prove they have worked in the country for 40 quarters (10 years).
Green card holders who are over the age of 65 and have lived here for 5 years, but don’t have the work history can either buy into Medicaid for a small monthly premium, or purchase an individual private plan from the health insurance marketplace. Those who purchase through the insurance market place and cannot afford the premium may qualify for federal subsidies to help cover the cost.
Health insurance and dependents
It is important to remember that for most current insurance plans in the U.S. you may only include qualified family members. This mean your spouse and dependent children can receive coverage under your plan, but your parents may not. Even if your parents are current green card holders as well, they will be responsible for finding their own health insurance coverage.
For lawful permanent residents who are participating in a green card sponsorship program for their parents or other family members, it is important to be aware of your responsibilities when it comes to health coverage. You may be responsible for any medical expenses they incur while under your sponsorship.
Your options will vary depending on your specific circumstances, but it is important to make sure you are covered. If you are interested in learning more about what options are available to you or are a green card holder interested in purchasing travel medical insurance, visit Overseas Health online or call one of our insurance experts at (800) 647-4589 or 01 (480) 821-9052 today.