to buy insurance on an exchange (or possibly get Medicaid, I can't tell):
Aliens who are “lawfully present in the United States” are subject to the heath insurance mandate
and are eligible, if otherwise qualified, to participate in the high-risk pools and the exchanges, and
they are eligible for premium credits and cost-sharing subsidies. PPACA expressly exempts
unauthorized (illegal) aliens from the mandate to have health coverage and bars them from a
health insurance exchange. Unauthorized aliens are not eligible for the federal premium credits or
cost-sharing subsidies. Unauthorized aliens are also barred from participating in the temporary
high-risk pools.
To enforce the alien eligibility requirements under PPACA, the act requires the Secretary of
Health and Human Services to establish a program to determine whether an individual who is to
be covered in the individual market by a qualified health plan offered through an exchange, or
who is claiming a premium tax credit or reduced cost-sharing, is a citizen or national of the
United States or an alien lawfully present in the United States.
Some have raised concerns that PPACA created an inequality between U.S. citizens and some
noncitizens with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL) with respect to
eligibility to participate in an exchange and receive premium credits or cost-sharing subsidies. In
general, all U.S. citizens and Medicaid-eligible noncitizens with incomes at or below 133% of
FPL will be eligible for Medicaid, while similarly situated Medicaid-ineligible lawfully present
noncitizens will be eligible to participate in an exchange and possibly to receive the credits or
subsidies.
http://www.ciab.com/workarea/downloadasset.aspx?id=2189But Medicare, not so much. Green card holders (permanent residents) are eligible for Medicare, but only if they've paid into it for 40 quarters, which he obviously would not have:
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Medicare? Can a Green Card Holder Apply for Medicare?
Any US citizens or permanent resident aged 65 years or older, who have worked in the US and paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters is eligible for Medicare. Even individuals whose spouses have paid Medicare taxes in the country for 40 quarters are eligible for the same.
If you're a recent green card holder or new immigrant to the United States and are 65 years or older, it will be tough for you to get reasonably priced health care coverage with decent coverage. For US citizens who have worked in the US for 40 quarters or more have the option of free Medical insurance in the form of Medicare. If you don't qualify for free Medicare, you can still purchase Parts A and B if the following holds true in your case:
You're 65 years or older.
You have recently become a US citizen by naturalization and haven't worked enough quarters to have social security coverage.
You're a lawfully admitted alien (green card holder) and have constantly lived in the United States for 5 years or longer and don't qualify for social security benefits.
How to Apply for Medicare for A Green Card Holder?
The first step to purchasing Medicare insurance is to enroll in Medicare Part B by calling 1800.MEDICARE (1800.633.4227). After you have purchased Medicare Part B, you can enroll for Medicare Part A.
What are the Options to Get Health Insurance for New Immigrant and Green Card Holders?
If you dont qualify for Medicare, you may want to consider a Medicare style plan ...
http://www.visitorscoverage.com/green-card-insurance/medicare-for-green-card/
= new reply since forum marked as read
