There is no specific requirement for Green Card Holders to have medical insurance under U.S. immigration law. However, it is highly recommended to have health insurance coverage to protect against unexpected medical expenses given the very expensive cost of US healthcare.
Yes, you can obtain health insurance while waiting for your Green Card, though your options may vary depending on your specific circumstances, such as your visa status, location, and income level.
Short-term health insurance is available to those who need temporary coverage while waiting for more permanent options, like a Green Card. These plans usually cover emergency services, hospitalization, and some doctor visits, but they may not cover comprehensive care like preventive services, maternity care, or mental health services. If you are an immigrant waiting for your Green Card but still travel frequently or have ties to another country, you might consider an international health insurance plan. These plans provide coverage both in the U.S. and abroad, making them ideal for people who need flexibility. They typically offer a range of benefits, from emergency care to routine checkups.
Healthcare in the U.S. is notoriously expensive. Without insurance, even minor medical procedures or emergency treatments can lead to significant financial burden. Best health insurance for Green Card Holders helps protects from these high costs by covering a portion or all of the expenses associated with medical care. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most U.S. residents, including Green Card Holders, are required to have health insurance. This law was enacted to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare and to reduce the overall cost of medical services by spreading the risk among a larger pool of insured people.
Medical insurance for permanent residents and Green Card Holders allows access to a wide range of healthcare services, including preventive care, routine check-ups, and treatment for illnesses and injuries. Regular access to healthcare is essential for maintaining good health and addressing medical issues early, which can prevent more serious complications. Green Card holder health insurance offers peace of mind, knowing that if a medical emergency or serious illness occurs, you are covered and will not face overwhelming medical bills. This financial protection allows you to focus on recovery rather than worrying about how to pay for care. Maintaining health insurance for new Green Card Holders can also be important when renewing their residency status or applying for U.S. citizenship. The U.S. government expects permanent residents to demonstrate that they can support themselves, including having access to healthcare. Without health insurance, Green Card Holders may be subject to penalties when filing their taxes, depending on their income and the duration of time they were without coverage. The penalties were designed to encourage compliance with the ACA's insurance mandate.
Persons which hold Green Cards have particular options for visitor health insurance. Unfortunately, these options (more like limitation) are not obvious from the brochures and information about the many visitor insurance policies that are available. The worst situation would be to purchase a policy and then come to find out that you will not be covered because you were not eligible for the policy in the first place.
Most visitor policies are only temporary insurance (from 5 days to 12 months only; although some are renewable for more time) for temporary visitors. A green card holder is considered a US permanent resident (whether or not the person actually does reside here permanently) and therefore is often NOT eligible for a short-term health insurance for Green Card Holders.
Ideally older Green Card Holders should be enrolled in Medicare, however this might not be an option for new Green Card Holders who have lived less than 5 years in the US. American Visitor Insurance offers travel health insurance which provide health coverage in the US, but exclude preventive care and have limited coverage for pre-existing conditions. By comparing quotes from different insurers and considering factors such as coverage options, deductibles, and pre-existing condition coverage, Green Card Holders can find cheap medical insurance to suit their specific budget and requirements. It is recommended that one compares plans both for price as well as benefits on American Visitor Insurance to find the most cost-effective Green card insurance for seniors.
While details of the new immigrant insurance requirements are still to be announced, the best US immigrant insurance or or best health insurance for Green Card Holders plans that we offer on American Visitor Insurance work as short term health insurance which US immigrants can use till they are eligible for domestic US insurance plans.
It is because of this reason that we, at American Visitor Insurance, have specifically asked our providers about the eligibility of the green card holder and medical insurance for new Green Card Holders.. The best health insurance policy for Green Card Holders in USA are three policies. Two policies, Patriot America Lite,Patriot America plus (and actually any of that family of product: Patriot Platinum) is available ONLY if the insured can put down a legitimate address outside the US as a home country.
So, for persons who travel back and forth from a foreign country and spend some time in the US, this is often the most economical option which offers comprehensive coverage. You can buy Patriot America Lite Insurance policy and look at Patriot America Lite Brochure for more plan details.
Trawick International offers both comprehensive and fixed travel health insurance for green card parents for ages up to 89 years. The best comprehensive health insurance policy for Green Card Holders in USA are three policies Safe Travels USA, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive and Safe Travels USA Cost Saver insurance. Both Safe Travels USA and Safe Travels USA Cost Saver plan covers unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing conditions up to 89 years and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive covers acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions up to 70 years and includes cardiac conditons.
Safe Travels Elite is the fixed policy from Trawick International which has limits on benefits for each medical expense. However, this plan is a very economical option for Green Card Holders. You can buy Safe Travels Elite Insurance and for more plan details look at the Safe Travels Elite Brochure.
INF insurance offers good health insurance for green card parents, mainly those who are above age 65. These USA healthcare insurance for Green Card Holders also offer ancillary benefits such as dental and telemedicine which are usually separate policies under domestic US health insurance.
Review the list of INF health insurance plans avaiable for US Green Card Holders:
Green Card Holders qualify for insurance under the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care program) through the insurance market place.
Click here to read more »Medical insurance cost for Green Card Holders varies based on several factors such as the age, medical maximum coverage, deductible for the plan, and the coverage for pre-existing conditions. There are cheap Green Card Holders health insurance plans starting at $38 per month.
Travel insurance USA | Coverage | Deductible | Provider Network | Cost # |
---|---|---|---|---|
Safe Travels Advantage Trawick International | $25,000 | $0 | First HealthCare | $38 |
Safe Travels Elite Trawick International | $25,000 | $0 | First HealthCare | $50 |
INF Standard X INF | $50,000 | $250 | United HealthCare | $76 |
Patriot America Lite IMG | $50,000 | $250 | United HealthCare | $157 |
Safe Travels USA Trawick International | $50,000 | $250 | First HealthCare | $160 |
Patriot America Plus IMG | $50,000 | $250 | United HealthCare | $173 |
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive Trawick International | $50,000 | $250 | First HealthCare | $224 |
Diplomat America Global Underwriters | $50,000 | $250 | No PPO | $262 |
INF Safe Traveler USA X INF | $150,000 | $500 | United HealthCare | $341 |
Patriot Platinum IMG | $1M | $250 | United HealthCare | $379 |
# Approximate cost of Green Card holders health insurance is for a 65-year-old parent or seniors for a duration of 1 month.
Green Card Holders (lawful permanent residents) can qualify for Medicare if they meet certain requirements related to age, residency, and work history.
To be eligible for Medicare, Green Card Holders must meet the following conditions:
If you haven't paid Medicare taxes for 10 years and don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you may need to buy Part A, but you will still be required to pay premiums for both Part A and Part B. If you've worked less than 30 quarters, you will pay approximately $505 per month for Part A (2024 rate). If you've worked 30-39 quarters, the premium is about $278 per month (2024 rate). For those who need to pay for both Part A and Part B, the combined premiums can be costly, so some Green Card Holders may opt for other private health insurance options until they qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. Part B covers outpatient care, doctor visits, and preventive services. Unlike Part A, there is no work history requirement for Part B. Everyone pays a monthly premium for Part B, which in 2024 is approximately $174.70 (higher if your income exceeds certain limits).
Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts for 7 months which starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, then includes the month of your 65th birthday and finally ends 3 months after your birthday month. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. You may face a late enrollment penalty for Part B (and sometimes Part A) if you delay enrollment without having other creditable coverage (such as employer insurance). You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you delayed enrolling in Medicare due to having other creditable coverage (e.g., through an employer or union).
Medical insurance for Green Card Holders over 65 years
Know more »Medical insurance for Green Card Holders over 70 years
Know more »Medical insurance for Green Card Holders over 80 years
Know more »Patriot America Plus and Patriot Platinum America can be used by Green Card Holders as long as they maintain a residence outside the US. These plans offered by IMG are specifically designed for short term travel to USA. The policy covers "acute onset of pre-existing conditions" up to the maximum of the plan purchased for persons under 70 years of age.
The company recently added the benefit of copays of $25 for urgent care centers and $15 for walk-in clinics which are paid INSTEAD of the deductible each time these facilities are used. Persons under 70 years of age can get up to $1 million maximum coverage. These plans also covers COVID19 illness up to the maximum of the policy.
INF offers two fixed benefit plans namely INF premier insurance and INF standard insurance and two comprehensive benefit plans namely INF Elite Network insurance and INF Traveler USA insurance. Green Card Holders can buy INF plans as long as they have a residence outside the US.
Trawick International offers two fixed benefit plans namely Safe Travels Elite and Safe Travels Elite Diamond and three comprehensive benefit plans namely Safe Travels USA insurance , Safe Travels USA Comprehensive insurance and Safe Travels USA Cost Saver insurance. These plans are available for Green Card Holders.
Yes. INF insurances provides coverage for many Green Card Holders, especially those who are above age 65. INF insurance plans also offer ancillary benefits such as dental and telemedicine which are usually separate policies under domestic US health insurance.
Following are the list of US travel insurance plans:
Patriot America Plus and Patriot Platinum America plans are based on the primary residence country that the member lists on the application. The Green Card Holders can buy Patriot America Plus insurance for coverage in the US, as long as their primary residence is outside the US. There is no set amount of time they have to purchase.
However, if they establish a permanent residence in the US, they are not eligible. So if they have a home (purchased or renting) here in the US, they can’t get our coverage. Provided they are eligible, if/when they submit a claim for treatment in the US, we will ask for their proof of residency in another country (renters agreement, bills to that address, etc) Just something showing that they live anywhere else.
Green Card Holders can enroll in INF plans initially for up to 1 year at a time. They can then renew their policy. There is no "term limit" for INF plans.
To qualify for Medicare, you must have worked in the US for 40 quarters (10 years) or have a Green card for at least 5 years.
Yes, Green Card Holders can get the medical insurance that we offer if they have a permanent address outside the US. Green Card Holders can get medical insurance quotes and buy the insurance on our website. The short term medical insurance will cover unanticipated medical conditions, but will not cover preventive care and regular treatment for pre-existing conditions. Getting a medical insurance quote is easy by providing the age of the Green card holder and the dates that they need the insurance coverage. We display the different medical insurance for Green Card Holders and you can compare the different plans based on price as well as the coverage benefits. After choosing the best Green card holder insurance for your needs, you can complete the application online and buy it using a credit card. The policy will be emailed immediately after completing the transaction.
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) had made it mandatory for all US residents to have health insurance, however the compulsory insurance requirement has been waived and it is now no longer mandatory to have health insurance. However, given the very high cost of US healthcare, where a regular Doctor’s consultation can take hundreds of Dollars, and Hospitalization overnight can involve thousands, or even tens of thousands of Dollars, it is very risky to be living in the US without any health insurance.
Green Card Holders can buy the health insurance on American Visitor Insurance if they do not have group health insurance from any employer, or if they are not yet eligible for US Medicare or for other domestic health insurance. The medical insurance for Green Card Holders that we offer will however not cover preventive care and has limited coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.
Green Card Holders may be eligible for Medicaid after meeting certain criteria, such as income and residency requirements, set by each state. Medicare eligibility typically requires being a Green card holder for at least five years and meeting other qualifications (age 65 or older, or having certain disabilities). If there are new Green Card Holders who are not eligible for domestic health insurance or Medicare, they can buy the Visitors Insurance that we offer during this interim period.
Green Card Holders who are employed in the United States are generally eligible to participate in employer-sponsored health insurance plans, similar to U.S. citizens. It's advisable to check with the employer to understand the available options and any eligibility requirements.
There is no specific requirement for Green Card Holders to have medical insurance under U.S. immigration law. However, it is highly recommended to have health insurance coverage to protect against unexpected medical expenses given the very expensive cost of US healthcare.
New immigrants or recent Green Card Holders may have a waiting period before becoming eligible for government programs or employer-sponsored health insurance. It is important to explore alternative options during this waiting period, such as short-term health insurance plans like those offered on American Visitor Insurance.
Yes, it is possible to find affordable medical insurance for Green Card holder in the U.S. American Visitor Insurance offers Green Card Holder health insurance from top rated insurance providers which provide comprehensive health coverage in the US. By comparing quotes from different insurers and considering factors such as coverage options, deductibles, and pre-existing condition coverage, Green Card Holders can find affordable medical insurance to suit their specific budget and requirements. It is recommended that one compares plans both for price as well as benefits to find the most cost-effective Green card insurance for seniors and parents.
The cost of short term health insurance for Green card holder depends on the following:
If one has applied for the Green Card and are waiting for permanent residency, they can buy visitor health insurance coverage that is ideal for them till they get the Green card and are eligible for other domestic US health insurance options.
At American Visitor Insurance new immigrants and permanent residents can get best health insurance for Green Card Holders. They can find medical insurance to suit their specific budget and requirements. It is recommended to compare the cost and benefits for Green Card Holders health insurance to find the most cost-effective plan espeacially for seniors and parents.
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The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
The Traveler can purchase an optional rider at the time of application. The optional riders provide additional coverage for a minimal charge.
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You will be eligible to seek Green Card in the US if you fall under one of these categories.
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