How Do You Receive Your Medicare Benefits When You Meet Medicare Eligibility Requirements For People Younger Than Age 65
- If you receive Social Security benefits for 24 months, usually you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B at the beginning of the 25th month.
- If you have Lou Gehrigs disease, usually you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B as soon as you receive the first month of Social Security disability benefits.
- If you have ESRD, you might be eligible for Medicare but you must apply for Medicare benefits by visiting your local Social Security office or contacting Social Security from 7AM 7PM Monday Friday, all U.S. time zones. Medicare coverage usually starts on the first day of the fourth month of your dialysis treatments.
Are you unsure whether you meet Medicare eligibility requirements? Contact me. I will be happy to help you.
- You can use the links below to reach me or have me send you customized information through an email.
If you wish to learn more about some of the Medicare plans where you live, use the Compare Plans button on this page.
New To Medicare?
Becoming eligible for Medicare can be daunting. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand Medicare in 15 minutes or less.
What Happens After I Register For Medicare Online
Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by Medicare to ensure all the information is accurate and complete. You should double-check your contact information to make sure it is correct. This is important to ensure prompt delivery of your Identification Card, as well as in the event Medicare needs to contact you about your enrollment.
After your application is received and processed, a letter will be mailed to you with the decision. If you encounter any questions or problems during the process, you can always contact Social Security for assistance.
Are You Already Enrolled In Medicare And Moving Out Of The Country
If you signed up for Medicare while you were living in the U.S., and then later moved overseas, Medicare wont cover your medical expenses outside of the country in most cases. You may want to contact Social Security in this case to disenroll from Part B, since youll otherwise be paying a monthly premium for coverage you cant use. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.
At the same time, keep in mind that you may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty for Part B if you ever do move back to the U.S. and decide you want this coverage later. This comes in the form of a 10% higher premium for every full 12-month period that you were eligible for Part B and went without it. You may also owe a late-enrollment penalty for Part A if you havent worked enough quarters to get it without a premium and go without it any time after youre first eligible.
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Am I Eligible For Medicare If I Haven’t Worked
All U.S. citizens or legal residents can receive Medicare benefits, but in order to receive Part A benefits without paying a premium, you or your spouse need to have been employed and paying Social Security taxes for at least 10 years. For more information about buying Part A as well as Part B if you don’t qualify for premium-free coverage, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit your local Social Security office.
Keeping Your Medicare Card Safe
Keep your Medicare card in a safe place, and dont let anyone else use it. Always have your card handy when you call Medicare with questions.
You should take your Medicare card with you when you receive any health care services or supplies. Even if you havent reached your deductible, your doctor will need your card information to submit a claim. That claim will be applied to your deductible so you can use your benefits sooner. If you receive a new Medicare card, show it to your doctors office staff so they can make a copy of the updated information.
If you misplaced or lost your card, you can get a replacement Medicare card.
To learn about Medicare plans you may be eligible for, you can:
- Contact the Medicare plan directly.
- Contact a licensed insurance agency such as Medicare Consumer Guides parent company, eHealth.
- Or enter your zip code where requested on this page to see quote.
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How Long Does It Take For A Medicare Application To Be Approved
Once your application has been reviewed, you should receive a letter in the mail to confirm whether youve been enrolled in the program or not. If your application has been denied, the letter will explain why this decision was made and what to do next.
If your application has been approved, youll receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. Your card will show your name, Medicare number, which Medicare plans you benefit from, and the start dates for each plan.
Youll receive your card within about 3 weeks from the date you apply for Medicare. You should carry your card with you whenever youre away from home.
You can sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account if you need to print a replacement card.
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Signing Up For A Medicare Advantage Or Prescription Drug Plan After Moving To The Us
If you already have Original Medicare and you move back to the U.S., you can do either of these during the two-month period after the month you return:
- Enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan that works alongside your Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, coverage.
- Switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. If you do this, you get your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private insurance company that contracts with Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, and many of them offer extra benefits beyond Original Medicare.
With either of these choices, you may need to continue paying your Medicare Part B premium, in addition to any premium required by your plan.
If youd like more information about the Medicare options available to you, you can start browsing plan options in your area with the plan finder tool on this page. Or, for more personalized assistance with your Medicare needs, contact eHealth today to speak with a licensed insurance agent.
To learn about Medicare plans you may be eligible for, you can:
- Contact the Medicare plan directly.
- Contact a licensed insurance agency such as Medicare Consumer Guides parent company, eHealth.
- Or enter your zip code where requested on this page to see quote.
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The Costs Listed Above Seem Too Expensive To Me Instead Of Buying Medicare Can I Just Continue With New Immigrants Health Insurance
No. It is entirely your responsibility to keep track of when you would first become eligible to purchase Medicare. Once you are eligible to purchase Medicare, you should purchase it immediately and you are no longer eligible for other health insurance plans designed for new immigrants. Anyway, once you have lived in the U.S. for 5 years, you are not a new immigrant.
I Don’t Like This Situation When They Are Not Eligible For Medicare Many Things Including Pre
Unfortunately not. You will still end up paying money out of your pocket for various healthcare related things that your elderly relatives may need. When you sponsor their green card, you accept a lot of liabilities under the Affidavit of Support you sign before U.S. government agrees to give them green card.
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Do I Have To Sign Up For Medicare
You are not obligated to enroll in Medicare. However, there are considerations to think about before opting out.
Unless you continue to have creditable health insurance after you turn 65, youll begin to incur late enrollment penalties. That means that if you decide to enroll at a later date, you could be facing higher premiums. These penalties stick with you for life.
Also, there is no cost for Part A. If you have other health insurance, Medicare will become your secondary coverage. Who doesnt need more health insurance?
Medicare For Immigrants: Is It Possible
Medicare is a federal health insurance program. Its primarily for people age 65 and older. Some younger people may qualify for Medicare if they have certain health conditions or disabilities. Your parents, like others, have to meet the eligibility requirements for Medicare. To qualify for full Medicare benefits:
- Your parents must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents who have lived in the United States for at least five continuous years.
- They must be age 65 or older, or qualify due to a disability.
Your parents get Medicare separately. Both your Mom and your Dad need to apply one application wont cover both of them. Each parent will also have to qualify for Medicare separately in most cases.
For example, suppose Mom is 61 and Dad is 65. Generally, Dad might be eligible for Medicare if he meets eligibility requirements. But Mom wont qualify at age 61 in most cases. If she has a disability that qualifies her for Medicare before age 65, and she meets residency and legal status requirement, she might be eligible.
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Children’s Health Insurance Program
CHIP provides health coverage to children living in families that cannot get Medicaid because their income is too high, but do not have enough money to pay for private insurance.
To normally qualify for CHIP, permanent residents must:
- have been a permanent resident for five years, and
- be a child under 21 AND live in a state that provides Full-Scope Medicaid to permanent residents, or
- be pregnant AND live in a state that provides Full-Scope Medicaid to permanent residents
The “deeming rules” described above may apply. However, many states have taken advantage of an option in the CHIP program to provide CHIP assistance to “lawfully residing” children and pregnant woman, regardless of their date of entry into the United States. Check with your state agency to see whether your state offers this benefit.
How Does It Work
The new health insurance program provides comprehensive healthcare coverage without premiums or co-payments.
Covered services include: doctor and hospital care, lab tests, rehabilitative services such as physical and occupational therapy, mental health and substance use disorder services, dental and vision services, and prescription drugs. Nursing facility services and home and community-based services will not be covered.
If you have bills from a nursing facility due to being treated for COVID-19 please contact the Immigrant Family Resource Programs:www.icirr.org/ifrp or the ICIRR Health Hotline at: 1-815-435-7693.
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Is Medicare Free For Green Card Holders
To receive premium-free Part A Medicare coverage, youll need 40 work credits, or have worked in the U.S. for a minimum of 40 quarters in your lifetime. During this time youll have paid Medicare and Social Security taxes. To earn one work credit, youll need to have worked one quarter and earned at least $1,470, according to the Social Security Administration.
If you have not worked the full 10 years, you can still purchase Medicare Part A insurance, which mainly covers hospital services. The cost to purchase Part A coverage in 2022 can be up to $499 per month.
Even if you receive premium-free Part A coverage, you are still responsible for paying other aspects of Medicare, such as Part B premiums and the 20 percent coinsurance for services. However, you can opt for a private supplement plan to reduce these costs.
Medicare Eligibility Requirements For Permanent Residents
The simplest way to attain Medicare eligibility is to have lived in the United States as a legal permanent resident, be older than 65 and have worked in the U.S. for at least 40 quarters . You may also be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A if youve received Social Security retirement benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance . Youll still owe a premium for Medicare Part B.
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Age To Apply For Medicare
If you do not fall into any of these categories, you will have to apply for Medicare when you turn 65. You have six months to get this done 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday till 3 months after the month of your 65 birthday. Your Medicare will not be automatic. You will have to set it up. Do not apply late or you could be fined. Even if you are still working and have a health plan, it is still in your interest to apply as soon as you are eligible.
You Automatically Get Medicare When You Turn 65
- Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card 3 months before your Medicare coverage starts.
Sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.You get Part A automatically. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it. If you dont sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP is a federal program that provides money to states so that they can help people with limited income purchase food. People who qualify for SNAP receive electronic debit cards for use in purchasing groceries.
Permanent residents under 18 years of age may qualify for SNAP benefits. In most cases, an LPR who is older than 18 will qualify for SNAP only if he or she has credit for 40 quarters of work.
As with TANF, the “deeming rules” described above may result in ineligibility.
Some states have programs to supply food benefits instead of SNAP to permanent residents who do not qualify for SNAP benefits.
Special Enrollment Period For New Citizens
When you become a new U.S. citizen or gain lawfully present status, youre entitled to a special enrollment period in your states exchange. Youll have 60 days from the date you became a citizen or a lawfully present resident to enroll in a plan through the exchange, with subsidies if youre eligible for them.
There are a variety of other special enrollment periods that apply to people experiencing various qualifying life events. These special enrollment periods are available to immigrants and non-immigrants alike.
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Requirements For Medicare Eligibility As A Green Card Holder
To be eligible for full Medicare benefits as a green card holder, you need to be 65 or older, and you or your spouse need to have worked in the U.S. for at least 10 years .
You may still be eligible for Medicare if youve worked fewer years, but youll likely pay a higher cost for the benefits. Those who have worked in the U.S. for the required 10 years or more are eligible for Medicare Part A without the premiums. If you dont qualify for premium-free Part A benefits, you may still be able to purchase coverage.
The cost of Medicare Part B is based on how much you made in your working years rather than how long you worked. For this reason, most individuals still have to pay a premium for this coverage, even if theyve worked in the country for 20 to 30 years. Those who have to purchase Part A coverage are only eligible to do so after purchasing Part B coverage.
Can Recent Immigrants 65 And Older Buy Exchange Health Plans
Yes. Most Americans become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65, and no longer need individual-market coverage. But recent immigrants are not eligible to buy into the Medicare program until theyve been lawfully present in the U.S. for five years.
Prior to 2014, this presented a conundrum for elderly immigrants, since individual market health insurance generally wasnt available to anyone over the age of 64. But now that the ACA has been implemented, policies in the individual market are available on a guaranteed-issue basis, regardless of age. And if the plan is purchased in the exchange, subsidies are available based on income, just as they are for younger enrollees. .
The ACA also limits premiums for older enrollees to three times the premiums charged for younger enrollees. So there are essentially caps on the premiums that apply to elderly recent immigrants who are using the individual market in place of Medicare, even if their income is too high to qualify for subsidies.
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Who Is Eligible For Medicare Advantage Plans
You may be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if you answer yes to these questions:
- Youre at least 65 years old, or youre under 65 and qualify on the basis of disability or other special situations and
- Youre a United States Citizen or a legal resident who has lived in the United States for at least five consecutive years
- For 2021, you must live in Delta, La Plata, Mesa, or Montezuma counties to qualify for this plan. A licensed sales agent can help answer your questions about the service area.
- For 2022, you must live in Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, La Plata, Mesa, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, or Routt county to qualify for this plan.
