Medigap for new citizen?

[rmhaire]

My friend and his wife are US citizens, he said there was some path for his parents to become citizens in 18 months.

I don't know how that works, but assuming it is true, would that 5 year wait apply?

Or could they become eligible for part B as soon as they become citizens?

Thanks for all the knowledge dropped in this thread!

I'm really not sure exactly what your friend is referring to when he says 18 months. He could be confusing Medicare with ACA. There's a few more moving parts with ACA than there is with Medicare.

As far as Medicare goes though, there are only two ways. The 5 year wait or the one year when someone marries a U.S. citizen.

But once they get their citizenship then yes, they are then eligible for Medicare.

 

[goillini52]

My friend and his wife are US citizens, he said there was some path for his parents to become citizens in 18 months.

I don't know how that works, but assuming it is true, would that 5 year wait apply?

Or could they become eligible for part B as soon as they become citizens?

Thanks for all the knowledge dropped in this thread!

You have to have a green card for 5 years before you can become a citizen.

 

[Sam]

What I am hearing is that as soon as someone becomes a citizen, they are eligible for part B and therefore will have a GI open enrollment for medigap. Is that correct?

I don't know how they are pursuing citizenship, but as long as they figure that out, they can buy the policy they want?

Thanks!

 

[rmhaire]

What I am hearing is that as soon as someone becomes a citizen, they are eligible for part B and therefore will have a GI open enrollment for medigap. Is that correct?

I don't know how they are pursuing citizenship, but as long as they figure that out, they can buy the policy they want?

Thanks!

If only Medicare was that easy.

Here's what Medicare says:

Be age 65 or older; Be a U.S. resident; AND. Be either a U.S. citizen, OR. Be an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for 5 continuous years prior to the month of filing an application for Medicare.

Sounds simple enough doesn't it?

Let's see what Social Security says since the ultimate decision comes from them. And send this link to your friend.

Older Immigrants and Medicare - Justice in Aging

We gratefully acknowledge Georgia Burke, formerly Justice in Aging’s Director of Medicare Advocacy, for authoring the first edition of this issue brief in

justiceinaging.org

 

[goillini52]

What I am hearing is that as soon as someone becomes a citizen, they are eligible for part B and therefore will have a GI open enrollment for medigap. Is that correct?

I don't know how they are pursuing citizenship, but as long as they figure that out, they can buy the policy they want?

Thanks!

Yes, they will have 6 months Open Enrollment for a Med Supp when they get Part B.