Are New Immigrants, Who are Also Green Card Holders, Eligible for Medicare?
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
If you or your elderly parents are new to the United States, and if they hold green cards, you may wonder if you or they can receive Medicare benefits. After all, just because you or they are new to the country, does not mean that your health automatically restores itself. Unfortunately, however, the short answer to your inquiry is no, new residents are not eligible for Medicare benefits. This is true even if you or your parents possess green cards.
Who is Eligible for Medicare?
According to Insubuy, “regular residents” of the United States – “regular” meaning U.S. born, permanent residents, etc. – can get Medicare if they have worked and paid taxes in the United States for 40 consecutive quarters. This equates to 10 years. Individuals must also be 65 years of age or older to qualify for Medicare benefits. That said, if a person has lived in the United States for five consecutive years, has been a green card holder or lawful permanent resident for those five years, and is at least 65 years of age, he or she can buy Medicare Part A benefits. They may be able to purchase Part B and Part D benefits, as well, though everyone who wishes to have access to these benefits must purchase them from the U.S. government—U.S. natives included.
How Much Does it Cost to Buy Benefits?
As of 2018, the cost to purchase Part A benefits is $422.00 a month. This is about average for the cost of health insurance in the United States as of this year. To purchase Part B benefits, a person can expect to pay $134.90 a month. The cost of Part D benefits depends on a number of factors, including the plan one chooses and his or her income.
In short, if you or your parents choose to purchase benefits from the government when you become eligible to do so, you can expect to pay at least $556.00 a month, plus the cost of Part D benefits if you decide you need those.
It is important to note that Medicare Part A, B, and D does not cover every possible medical expense. Just like with private health insurance, there are additional add-ons for unique health concerns. That is why there are Medicare Supplement Plans, or Medigap Plans, sold by private health insurers and designed to cover an insured’s anticipated health costs outside of what Medicare would cover.
What Other Options Do You Have?
Unfortunately, you do not have many options for health insurance outside of purchasing a healthcare plan. VisitorsCoverage.com offers more information regarding how you can go about applying for healthcare as an immigrant and makes suggestions for which types of plans may be right for you.
At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we understand that your life in the U.S. is bound to be full of complications and challenges that you will have to overcome. Our Chicago immigration lawyers are prepared to help you navigate those challenges and, if possible, work toward a viable solution. If you want to make your new life here as seamless as possible, contact our immigration law firm today.
What Our Clients Say
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
Exceptional Legal Representation I want to sincerely thank Kevin Raica for handling my case so efficiently. From our very first meeting, he demonstrated confidence and a clear plan for moving forward, which put us at ease right away. He kept the process moving and resolved our case in a timely manner. His professionalism and dedication made a stressful situation much easier to navigate. I have already recommended his services to…
Kriezelman Burton & Associate are Excellent immigration law firm that understands and guide one through any immigration cases. Attorney Khiabett is one of their best attorneys you can trust, she understands, patient, attentive, and gives honest advice about any immigration case her client has. I HIGHLY recommend the law firm to anyone having immigration concerns. Thank you for all you do.
Outstanding experience and successful Green Card approval with Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC! The immigration process can often be stressful and overwhelming, but working with Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC in Chicago made the entire journey smooth, transparent, and successful from start to finish. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Justin Burton for his exceptional professionalism, strategic guidance, and confidence from day one. Knowing my case was in…
Great lawyer, helped us to get a green card in few months, so thanks a lot. Recommended
Kevin Raica literally saved my life. He helped me out of a dangerous situation that my previous attorney had put me in. After 17 years without status and 6.5 years of working with my previous attorney, I had experienced so many denials that I had completely lost hope. When I met Kevin, everything changed. He genuinely cared about my situation and gave me hope when I couldn’t see any for…
We sincerely thank the entire team for the professionalism, responsiveness, patience, and dedication shown throughout our case. From our very first visit, Justin reassured us that everything would be all right. Thank you, Khiabett, for your expertise, professionalism, and calm guidance before and during the interview, which greatly reduced our stress and gave us confidence. We also deeply appreciate Kamila's hard work, patience, and responsiveness throughout the process. For sorting…
I would like to sincerely thank Attorney Justin Burton and PL Kamila Lada for support with my adjustment of status case. I have been working with the firm for over a year now, and I have received nothing short of exceptional services and support throughout various cases for myself and family members. Highly recommend consulting and retaining this firm.
We have been in the dark with our case for over 2 decades, while working with other big firms who just kept me in the dark and sat on our case without making any effort to move it forward until I met the wonderful team at Kriezelman & Burton. AO and JP are truly God-sent angels who with their knowledge, collaboration, sense of direction and outside the box thinking, managed…
Highly recommend attorney Kevin Raica and attorney Agata Bigdanowicz. They were super helpful, responded on time, and won my case in record time. It took about a month and half in total for me to get my approval after filing!
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
Schedule A Consultation!
Libertyville
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy