Did you know that you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for Medicare? Between the growing number of older immigrants in the U.S. and the unique hurdles they face enrolling in Medicare, Medicare and immigration is an important topic to discuss. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but are lawfully present, you may be able to get Medicare coverage, depending on your situation. We will discuss two ways non-citizens can be eligible for Medicare:
1. Do you qualify for Federal Disability or Retirement benefits?
You will qualify for Medicare if you qualify to receive or currently receive:
- Social Security retirement benefits
- Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB)
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Regardless of your citizenship or how long you have lived in the U.S., if you qualify for these benefits, you qualify for Medicare. These benefits are tied to your U.S. work history, or the work history of a spouse or sometimes family member. Even if you have not been in the U.S. long or have not worked long enough, you may still qualify based on your spouse’s work history or benefits. If you aren’t sure if you qualify for these benefits or have enough work history, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA).
2. Are you a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for 5+ years?
If you meet both of these requirements—you are a lawful permanent resident and have been in the U.S. for 5 years prior to enrolling in Medicare—you are eligible for Medicare:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) LPRs are non-citizens who are allowed to live in the U.S. indefinitely. To get LPR status and a “green card,” you must apply with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Five-Year Residency Requirement The five years begins the day someone arrives in the U.S. with the intention of establishing a home, not just visiting. You can still leave the U.S. temporarily, meaning for no more than six months.
Use the National Immigration Legal Services Directory to find immigration service providers in your area. You can find the directory at https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/.
FOR OTHER QUESTIONS, CONTACT AMERICAN SENIOR RESOURCES at 1-800-386-6160 TTY 711 M-F or SCHEDULE AN CONSULTATION ONLINE WITH AN ASR LICENSED AGENT.