Are Green Card Holders Eligible for Obamacare?

While I am extremely proud of the quality of health care services offered in America, I also have lived through a time when there were a large number of Americans who were medically insecure, with the large health care corporations making huge profits, while the ordinary citizen was sinking in debt due to the high medical costs. This trend was commonly called the health care crisis.

What is Obamacare?

ObamaCare, or the Affordable Care Act or The Patient Protection Act, is a US healthcare reform law that was signed by then President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all US citizens and lawful permanent residents or green card holders, who pay their taxes in the country, must have health insurance. The act contains hundreds of different provisions that regulate the health insurance industry, while reducing health care costs for the common man. The Act was seen as a huge relief for millions of Americans across the nation. In the absence of health insurance, a person would have to pay for their own medical treatment, as well as a penalty.

Who Qualifies for Obamacare?

According to an estimate, around 50 million people gained cover through affordable health insurance after the Affordable Care Act came into effect. The aim of this Act was to extend health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans. These people were not poor enough for the state to give them health cover, but they were not earning enough to pay the expensive premiums demanded by insurance companies. The Act was regarded as Obama’s greatest domestic achievement during his presidency.

Do Green Card Holders Qualify for Obamacare?

You should know that permanent residents or green card holders who have recently arrived in America qualify for Obamacare. Under the Affordable Care Act, these immigrants qualify for affordable health insurance from the federal or state government, through their employer or healthcare marketplace, or through a healthcare exchange program in the state that they are residing in. Age, income, resident state, geographical location and number of dependents are the factors that determine the green card holder’s eligibility for Obamacare. What makes Obamacare a blessing for lawful permanent residents (green card holders) is the fact that it covers for current health conditions, as well as pre-existing medical conditions. During an open enrolment, a green card holder can obtain private insurance either inside or outside the marketplace. Click here to find out more about the best plans for green card holders.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Medicaid available for green card holders?

Once a green card holder receives the status of a “qualified” immigrant, they are required to satisfy a 5-year waiting period, in order to become eligible for coverage under Medicaid and CHIP. However, there are certain exceptions that can affect eligibility.

• Is social security available to green card holders?

To enjoy social security benefits, a green card holder or permanent resident will need to earn 40 credits, which one can earn by working for 10 years or 40 quarters in the US and paying their taxes.

• Do green card holders qualify for Medicare?

Green card holders can qualify for Medicare if they are aged 65 years or above. In addition, they should have paid Medicare taxes in the US for at least 40 quarter of their working years. Also read: Are Green card holders eligible for Medicare