Medicare for Green Card Holders in the US

Green Card holders over 65 years may be eligible for the Medicare if they have lived in the US for Five years and have paid US taxes for 40 quarters (minimum of 10 years). They will not be eligible for Medicare if they have not lived in the US for Five years. At American Visitor Insurance we offer best US health insurance to Green Card holders over 65 years which they can purchase till they are eligible for Medicare.

Short-term health insurance plans provide temporary coverage for Green Card Holders while they move towards securing permanent health insurance options. These plans can be particularly useful if you’re waiting for eligibility for long-term plans, such as employer-based insurance or Medicare. Short-term health insurance coverage includes emergency medical services, hospitalization, doctor visits, and emergency medical evacuation. Green Card Holders under 65 can purchase these plans on American Visitor Insurance. For those aged 65 and older, Medicare may become available after meeting certain eligibility criteria.

^# Approximate cost per month for Green Card Holders over 65 years.

Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover healthcare-related expenses when traveling outside the United States, and the GlobeHopper Senior Insurance plan by IMG is one of the best plan available.
Travel insurance can provide coverage for:

• Limited Medicare Coverage Abroad: Medicare doesn’t cover medical cost outside the US. There are only a few exceptions, such as emergency situations while traveling through Canada or when a foreign hospital is closer than a US hospital.
• Emergency Services: Travel insurance can cover the cost of emergency medical services, including hospitalization and doctor visits, which Medicare may not cover in foreign countries.
• Medical Evacuation: If you need to be transported back to the US for medical reasons, travel insurance often includes coverage for medical evacuation.
• Prescription Drugs: Travel insurance can help cover the cost of prescription drugs needed during your trip, especially if you're prescribed medication abroad.
• Peace of Mind: Travel insurance provides peace of mind, ensuring that you’re prepared for unexpected health issues that might arise during your travels.

Medicare does not cover healthcare services when traveling outside the United States, except in a few specific situations. These exceptions include emergency medical services in Canada when traveling from one US state to another through Canada, healthcare services at a foreign hospital if it is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat your condition, and medical services provided on a cruise ship within six hours of a US port. It is strongly recommended to purchase travel insurance on American Visitor Insurance to cover medical expenses when traveling outside the US.

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:

• Age: Be 65 years or older, or meet specific disability criteria if under 65 (such as receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or having end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)).
• Residency: Have lived in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident for at least 5 consecutive years.
• Work History: Have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) through employment in the U.S., or be married to someone who has.

If you haven't paid Medicare taxes for 10 years and don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you'll need to buy Part A and also pay premiums for both Part A and Part B. For 2025, if you've worked less than 30 quarters, the Part A premium is approximately $518. If you've worked 30-39 quarters, the premium is about $285. Part B, which covers outpatient care and preventive services, will have a standard monthly premium of about $185 in 2025.

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).