Best health insurance for Green Card holders from Mexico
Getting a Green Card and becoming a US permanent resident is a very significant milestone and is often a dream come true for many. The United States being the land of immigrants, is a country that allows the highest number of new immigrants. The U.S. issues approximately 1 million Green Cards each year, providing permanent residency to immigrant including for family members, refugees, and employment-based immigrants. The U.S. has a diverse immigrant population from all corners of the globe, with significant communities from Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Being a neighbor to US, Green Card holders from Mexico represent a significant portion of the U.S. immigrant population. Mexican nationals are one of the largest groups of U.S. Green Card holders. The U.S. and Mexico share a long history of migration, with many Mexican immigrants having strong familial, cultural, and economic ties to the U.S. A large percentage of Green Cards issued to Mexican nationals are through family-based immigration, including immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and family preference categories.
After holding a Green Card for five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen), Mexican nationals can apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. This process involves meeting residency requirements, passing an English and civics test, and demonstrating good moral character. Mexican Green Card holders contribute significantly to the U.S. economy through their labor in various industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and services. They also play an essential role in cross-border trade and business.
Cheapest health insurance for Green Card holders from Mexico
Green Card holders can be categorized as follows:
Green Card Holders permanently residing in the US
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 are 65 or older and have lived in the U.S. for at least five years may be eligible for Medicare. However, Medicare generally does not cover healthcare services outside the U.S. For those above 65 years and are not yet eligible for Medicare or domestic health insurance, there are good options offered by INF insurance.
- If one is below 65 years then they are eligible for domestic health insurance plans such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, however they are usually eligible only after living in the US for 6 months or more. In this case also, purchasing short term travel health insurance till they become eligible for domestic plans is strongly recommended.
Best medical insurance for Green card holders from Mexico
Green Card Holders who travel often between the US and Mexico
Green card holders who frequently travel between the U.S. and Mexico 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 Mexico 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 Mexico can purchase:- Short term travel insurance that covers emergency medical expenses, evacuation, and other travel-related issues.
Best health insurance for Green card holders from Mexico - Annual travel insurance if Mexican green card holders travel frequently as it is more cost-effective. This type of insurance covers multiple trips throughout the year, with benefits like emergency medical coverage and trip interruption insurance. However the green card holder must have a primary health insurance in Mexico.
Best Annual travel health insurance for Green card holders from Mexico
New Green Card Holders or New Immigrants
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.
- Short term travel insurance that covers emergency medical expenses, evacuation, and other travel-related issues.
Best health insurance for Green card holders from Mexico
Applied and waiting for Green Card
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 MexicoHealth insurance for Green Card holders from Mexico cost
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.
Cost of health insurance for parents over 65 years on Green Card
| 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.
Medicare eligibility for Green Card Holders
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 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).
Green Card medical insurance - FAQ's
01. Are there any special considerations for recent Green Card holders or new immigrants?
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.
02. Can Green Card holders buy Patriot America plus 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.
03. Can non citizens get Medicare?
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.
04. Can a Green Card holder get medical insurance?
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.
05. Do Green Card holders need health insurance?
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.
06. Do Green Card holders qualify for government healthcare programs like Medicaid or Medicare?
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.
07. Can Green Card holders get health insurance through their employers?
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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