Looking for green card insurance to provide medical coverage while you're in the U.S.? You've come to the right spot. Every new immigrant and green card holder in America is different. These unique circumstances may have an impact on eligibility for various domestic health insurance policies, potentially making it tricky to find the best travel coverage option until you're eligible to enroll in domestic healthcare.
If you're a new U.S. immigrant and entering the U.S. for the first time, or you're a green card holder living outside the U.S. planning a short trip to the United States, visitors insurance gives you the temporary coverage you need to stay protected. Choosing a plan that best fits your needs begins with identifying what type of immigrant or green card holder you are.
Who is Green Card Health Insurance Meant For?
Let's take a closer look at some of the most common types of new U.S. immigrants or current green card holders.
Green card holders who shuttle between their home country and the U.S.
A number of individuals may already have green cards but don't stay in the U.S. permanently. They may be visiting the U.S. every six months or once every year. If this describes your situation, you'll need to buy either an immigrant plan or a visitors insurance plan that satisfies the eligibility criteria for green card holders shuttling between the home country and the U.S.
For green card holders and permanent residents who spend over 330 days outside of the U.S., the Affordable Care Act requirements may not apply.
Green card holders who are permanent U.S. residents
Whether you're in between jobs, are a dependent no longer covered under a parent's insurance, are a recent graduate or you're just waiting on health benefits to start, your options depend on your age.
If you're below 65 years of age, have a green card and live in the U.S. permanently, you can consider domestic insurances like Blue Cross, Blue shield etc. Green card holders who miss the healthcare enrollment period (November 15 to February 15 every year) or are waiting on their employee benefits to start may be able to insure themselves with temporary coverage.
Health Insurance for New Green Card Holders
If you recently received your green card and will be coming to the U.S. on an immigrant visa soon, you can consider New Immigrants Health Insurance plan, or plans that provide temporary coverage while you travel and settle down in the U.S.
If you're in the U.S. on a visitor's visa and your children or family has applied for a family-sponsored green card, you're considered a visitor until your green card is processed. During this waiting period, you may be eligible for a visitors health insurance plan. Once you get green card approval, you should shift to a plan that offers coverage for green card holders.
Medicare or Visitors Insurance?
Green card holders over 70 years of age may be eligible for federal Medicare, or state-sponsored Medicaid or MediCal or any other U.S. state or federal health program. Wondering what the differences are between these programs? Learn more about Medicare vs. Medicaid vs. MediCAL.
Note: Medicare is a federal health program and has certain eligibility requirements. Click here to get answers to common questions about Medicare for green card holders.
