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.
Patriot America Plus and Patriot Platinum America can be used by Green Card holders from India 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.
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.
US health insurance is important for Green Card holders from India given the high costs of medical care in USA. Green Card holders are eligible for domestic US health insurance either through employer-sponsored plans or US marketplace health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as government programs like Medicare or Medicaid. However, new Green Card holders who are currently not insured through an employer, or are over 65 years but have lived in the US for less than 5 years and who have not worked for 40 quarters in the US will not be eligible for government sponsored programs like Medicare. Given how important it is for new immigrants to obtain coverage as soon as possible to avoid gaps in healthcare, they should look for interim solutions till they are eligible for domestic US health care plans.
Additionally, having adequate health insurance may be viewed as a requirement for certain immigration processes and is therefore vital to ensuring access to medical services without facing exorbitant expenses. US Green Card holders from India can buy our travel health insurance as an interim option till they become eligible to buy US domestic insurance. American Visitor Insurance also offers health insurance for older Green card holders that are better designed for senior citizens. Among these include US medical insurance for pre-existing conditions for US visitors from India. Indian Green card holders can compare visitor health insurance plans for the USA on American Visitor Insurance and buy what fits their needs best.
If a US green card holder is living permanently here then he or she is eligible for domestic health insurance plans. However this depends on the age of the Green card holder and the duration of stay within US.
Green card holders who frequently travel between the U.S. and India face unique challenges and considerations due to their residency status and the need to maintain their U.S. permanent residency. To maintain a green card, U.S. permanent residents must primarily reside in the U.S. Frequent or extended travel to India could be viewed by U.S. authorities as an abandonment of residency if not properly managed.
For green card holders who frequently travel for short periods (a few days or weeks at a time), there’s typically less risk of jeopardizing their residency status, as long as the U.S. remains their primary residence.
Green Card Holders who travel often between the US and India can purchase:New immigrants who can be parents or family members who recently arrived in the USA can buy visitor health insurance depending on their duration of stay. Again, these plans can be bought for the period till they are eligible for domestic health insurance.
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.
Best health insurance for Green card holders from IndiaMedical 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).
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.
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.
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.
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