New immigrants to USA often want to know more about the different govt. sponsored health insurance programs like Medicare, Medical and Medicaid for green card holder or new immigrants like parents, relatives and dependents. Here is some useful information for our readers.
Medicare |
Medicaid |
MediCAL |
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| Medicare is a US Federal health Insurance program administered by the United Federal government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria. Medicare has Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Services), Part C (Managed Health Care) and part D (Prescription Drugs) | Medicaid is health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states. Each state may have its own name for the program. Examples include "Medi-Cal" in California, "MassHealth" in Massachusetts, and "TennCare" in Tennessee | Medi-Cal is the name of the Medicaid program in the State of California. It is meant for individual and families with low income and resources. It is jointly administered by the California State Department of Health Care Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) |
Eligibility |
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1) Either US citizens & Permanent residents 65 or older, who or their spouses have worked and paid Medicare taxes in the US for 40 quarters. |
1) limited income is one of the primary requirements for Medicaid eligibility. |
1)Having a limited income is one of the primary requirements for Medicaid eligibility. |
Benefits / Services |
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1) Part A Hospital Insurance helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including overnight hospitalization in hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits |
1) Inpatient hospital services |
1)Clinic Services |
Coverage Start date |
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If you already receive Social Security Benefits, you will automatically be enrolled into Medicare on the month you turn 65 years old.If you are close to 65 years of age and do not receive social security benefits yet, there are two periods of the year that you can enroll |
No Specific dates Coverage may start retroactive to any or all of the three months prior to application, if the individual would have been eligible during the retroactive period. Coverage generally stops at the end of the month in which a person's circumstances change. |
No Specific dates. Coverage may start retroactive to any or all of the three months prior to application, if the individual would have been eligible during the retroactive period. Coverage generally stops at the end of the month in which a person's circumstances change. |
For Immigrants |
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If you are a new immigrant aged 65 and above, and been a permanent resident for 5 years or more, you may purchase Medicare from the government. |
If you are a new immigrant, and satisfy the eligibility criteria, you can call up the Medicaid Services in your state. |
If you are a new immigrant, and satisfy the eligibility criteria, you can call up the Medical Services. |
For More Information On Medicare visit |
For more information on Medicaid Services Please Visit http://cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp |
For more information on MediCal Services Please Visit http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov/ |
Note: This article is for general information. Please contact the respective govt. body to get the latest information.
For a green card holder new immigrant, the only available immediate health insurance solution is to get a short term Health insurance.
See more information here. : Health insurance for Green Card holders.
Please contact us for more information via email or call toll free 866-384-9104. Our qualified licensed health insurance agents can assess your situation and help you with a solution.
Medicare or government sponsored health benefits programs:
Once you complete 5 yrs or more on a Green card status and are continuously living in USA, you may apply for medicare.
Read more about medicare: Medicare Explained.



