Medicare for Permanent Residents formally called a Permanent Resident Card, gives immigrants the permission to live permanently and work in the US. This entitles them to all the rights and benefits that those born in the country enjoy. However, there are certain areas where things aren’t as straightforward for immigrants despite having a permanent resident status. Medicare coverage is one of them.
The eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for enrolling in the federal health insurance program are not the same for all immigrants. They are different for those who’re US citizens by birth, making Medicare all the more complicated and confusing. This guide aims to help make understanding Medicare easier for green card holders. If you or a family member is an immigrant in the US with a permanent residence card, read on to understand how Medicare works for non-US citizens.
Are Permanent Residents Eligible for Medicare?
Permanent Residents are lawful residents of the United States. But, just the legal status isn’t enough to determine Medicare eligibility for a green card holder. A couple of other factors play a more important part here. These include:
- The Time an Immigrant Has Lived in the US for. Permanent residents are required to live in the US for at least five consecutive years to be eligible for Medicare.
- The Number of Years an Immigrant Has Worked in the US. The federal health insurance program requires legal immigrants to have at least 10 years or 40 quarters of work experience to become eligible for full Medicare benefits.
There are instances where people who do not fully meet these two requirements. In this case they may still qualify for Medicare. This is if their spouses meet these conditions or they’re willing to pay a higher cost.
It’s important to mention here, to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, that in addition to these two requirements, green card holders also need to meet the age or disability criteria for Medicare, i.e., they have to be 65 years old or receiving Social Security Disability benefits for at least two years.
Meeting these requirements makes lawful immigrants eligible for all four parts of Medicare.
What Difference Can Employment Years Make in Medicare Coverage for Permanent Residents?
When a green card holder or, in some cases, their spouse has worked for a minimum of ten years in the US, they become eligible for receiving Medicare Part A coverage premium-free. Those who do not meet the 10-year work requirement can still get Medicare Part A benefits. However, they have to purchase the coverage and may even have to pay higher premiums. Moreover, to buy the Part A coverage, you will have to get Part B coverage first.
What About Medicare Part B Coverage? Can Permanent Residents Get Medicare Part B?
Legal permanent residents can enroll in Medicare Part B. However, unlike Part A, it doesn’t come premium-free for anyone, be it a green card holder or citizen.
Enrollment in Medicare Part B is voluntary or optional. Almost everyone who gets it is required to pay a monthly premium for the coverage. This is because the cost of Medicare Part B isn’t linked with your years of employment. It is rather the amount you have earned during your employment years.
Is There Any Way Permanent Resident Who Do Not Meet the Minimum Residency Requirement Can Enroll in Medicare?
There is, but it may not be a viable alternative for everyone.
There only way a few ways you may qualify for Medicare benefits without meeting the minimum residency requirement. If you’re married to a fully-insured green card holder or US citizen for at least one Medicare calendar year.
Can Permanent Residents Get Medicare for Free?
Only Medicare Part-A coverage can be obtained for free by Permanent Residents who meet the minimum residency and employment requirements. For all other parts of Medicare, they have to pay a premium. This doesn’t just go for green card holders but applies to US citizens as well.
Every Medicare beneficiary must pay the premiums for Medicare Part B and D coverage. This is even if they qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A coverage. Other associated costs include deductibles and coinsurances.
How Much Does Medicare Cost for Permanent Residents?
Medicare cost can vary, depending on multiple factors. Here is a basic breakdown of premium costs for different parts of Medicare for the 2022 calendar year:
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A includes hospital coverage. Here’s what you can expect to pay for it depending on how long you have worked for in the US:
- 10 years or more of work experience ( Minimum 40 work credits) – $0
- 7 to 9 years of work experience (30 to 39 work credits) – $274 per month
- Less than 7.5 years of work experience (fewer than 30 work credits) – $499 per month
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B helps pay for a range of medically necessary and preventive services that Part A doesn’t cover. These include certain doctor’s services, durable medical equipment, outpatient care, home health care, and limited outpatient prescription drugs coverage.
Here’s what you’re expected to pay in terms of Medicare Part B premium in 2022. This is based on your yearly income in 2021 as filed in individual tax returns:
- $91,000 or less – $170.10 per month (this is the standard Medicare Part B premium for 2022 that most people are expected to pay)
- From $91,000 to $114,000 – $238.10 per month
- From $114,000 to $142,000 – $340.20 per month
- From $142,000 to $170,000 – $442.30 per month
- From $170,000 to less than $500,000 – $544.30 per month
- $500,000 or above – $578.30 per month
Premiums for Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) vary by plan.
How to Apply for Medicare as a Permanent Resident?
The Medicare enrollment process for Permanent Resident is the same as that for US citizens. Some people get enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and B) automatically. A few others have to sign up for it themselves. Visit Medicare’s website to determine your status and determine how to sign up for the federal health insurance program.
Those receiving Social Security benefits for four or more months before turning 65 get automatically enrolled in Original Medicare. Others have to sign up for it from the Social Security Administration website.
If you are required to enroll in Medicare, make sure to do so within your initial enrollment period. This runs from three months before your 65th birthday to three months after it.
What Happens If You Don’t Sign Up for Medicare During the Initial Enrollment Period?
Whether you’re a green card holder, naturalized citizen, or a citizen by birth, you will become liable to pay the penalty if you do not enroll in Medicare during the initial enrollment window, which will increase the monthly cost of the health insurance plan.
This could be different depending on your Medicare plan(s). But, to give you an idea, delaying enrollment in Medicare Part A can increase your premium by 10% for twice the period for which you missed the coverage. For Part B, the premium can increase by 10% every year you delay enrollments.
There is also a penalty for delaying Medicare Part D coverage. Calculating it is a little more complex than Original Medicare. Get in touch with our Medicare experts if you have delayed enrollment in Medicare Part D, or Medicare, on the whole, to determine how much extra you will have to pay in terms of penalties and how long you will have to pay them.
Medicare for Permanent Residents FAQs
Let’s answer some common questions people ask about Medicare enrollment and benefits for Permanent Residents. This will help to clear all confusion and help develop a better understanding of how the federal health insurance program works for non-US citizens and legal permanent residents.
§ Does Medicare enrollment affect the citizenship process for Permanent Residents?
No, it doesn’t. As long as you’re not doing anything against the law to acquire health insurance, getting enrolled in Medicare doesn’t affect the standard process of becoming a US citizen through naturalization.
§ Can non-residents enroll in Medicare?
Sadly, no. Medicare is only reserved for US residents and citizens. One has to be a legal permanent resident of the country . They must meet all the other Medicare eligibility requirements to qualify for federal health insurance.
§ How can non-residents get health insurance in the US?
Non-residents may not be eligible for federal health insurance, aka Medicare, but this doesn’t mean they have to live without it. Non-residents can buy private health insurance (there are many available) or temporary health insurance for non-US citizens.
The same goes for those residents who do not qualify for Medicare due to not meeting the minimum residency or employment condition.
§ Can you get Medicare if you’re an undocumented immigrant in the US?
No. As mentioned earlier, Medicare is only for lawful permanent residents and citizens of the US. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive Medicare benefits.
§ Do Permanent Residents qualify for Social Security benefits?
Similar to Medicare, Permanent Residents are required to meet certain conditions to become eligible to receive Social Security benefits. The most important of which includes having a minimum of 10 years or 40 qualifying quarters of work experience. Check out this official document by the Social Security Administration for a detailed insight into what circumstances can make a non-citizen eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
§ Are Permanent Residents eligible to apply for disability?
Green card holders or lawful permanent residents of the US could apply for Social Security Disability benefits. This is if they paid their taxes regularly in the past.
§ Are Permanent Residents eligible for Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage is the other name for Medicare Part C, and this Medicare insurance builds on your Original Medicare coverage. Green card holders can only enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if they qualify and are enrolled in Original Medicare. You can’t have Medicare Advantage without having Medicare Part A and B, regardless of your citizenship status.
§ Can Permanent Residents receive Social Security benefits outside the US?
If you’re a legal permanent resident of the US and qualify for Social Security benefits, you may be able to continue receiving them even if you’re not in the country. However, there may be some consequences if you remain away from the country for too long. For example, staying out of the US for six months or more can make non-US citizens lose their Social Security benefits temporarily. They will then have to live in the US for at least one entire month to have them resumed.
§ What other public benefits a permanent resident can get in the US?
As a green card holder, you may be at a slight disadvantage in receiving certain public benefits compared to US citizens, such as in Medicare. However, there is plenty in store for you. According to US law, permanent residents may be eligible to receive one or more of the following federal and state benefits:
- Medicaid
- Children’s Health Insurance Program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Health Insurance Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Section 8 Housing
Get in Touch With Us to Learn More About Medicare for Permanent Residents
Still have questions about eligibility, terms, and conditions, limitations, or cost of Medicare for permanent residents? Get in touch with us to talk to a Medicare expert to have all your questions answered and confusion cleared.
We, at United Insurance, believe in educating our clients and helping them make informed decisions. And we go all out to make sure you get the best available Medicare option according to your needs and budget. We can also help you find the best Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, or Medigap plan for Permanent Residents, as per your healthcare needs.