# If an elderly person decides to move to the US to retire, what do they do for health insurance **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883 "2024-12-19T18:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883/1 "2024-12-19T18:44:18Z")
If someone wants to spend their retirement years in the US but they were not born and raised here, what do they do for health insurance? They would not qualify for medicare since they didn’t pay 40 quarters worth of medicare taxes. Would you still be able to get medicare if you pay the premium people who paid less than 30 quarters of taxes paid (which I think is about $505 a month for Part A)? > **[Medicare Premiums Explained](https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/medicare/medicare-premium)** > > Medicare premiums cost different amounts depending on your Medicare plan, tax history, and previous income. Learn more about costs and help paying. Would you still be eligible for ACA premium subsidies if you are medicare age but are an immigrant? ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883/2 "2024-12-19T18:57:54Z")
I would say it’s basically Medicaid if you’re poor or private insurance if you can afford it. While you specifically ask about health insurance, most people just go to the ER with no insurance for treatment. Late: Good question and definitely interested in how this actually works. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883/3 "2024-12-19T19:01:12Z")
They’d have to buy it. This is America we’re talking about here. I am not sure about eligibility for the Marketplace subsidies for non-citizens - it likely depends on which state you’d be living. And yeah, I suspect if you did not contribute to Medicare, your eligibility will also be restricted. Bring money. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883/4 "2024-12-19T19:01:14Z")
Everything I found says you would need to be a legal permanent resident for at least five years and that you can pay a higher Medicare premium if you have less than 40 quarters ( 10 years) of taxes paid but nothing specifies if you can get it without having paid in at all. So that person would have to wait at least five years, plus however long it takes to get a green card . ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883/5 "2024-12-19T22:46:37Z")
I haven’t looked closely, but my DIL claims that if my wife and I moved back then I would have to pay a monthly premium but would be eligible immediately. But we are citizens and I do have 34 quarters paid up, so YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883/6 "2024-12-19T23:03:06Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I am not sure about eligibility for the Marketplace subsidies for non-citizens My understanding, based on working on ACA insurance plans for some years, is that, depending on your immigration / non-citizen status, you may be able to buy a Marketplace plan, and also may qualify for the subsidies (which are provided as tax credits). > [@](#): > > Lawfully present immigrants can get Marketplace coverage and may qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace plans. > > The term “lawfully present” includes immigrants who have: > > - “Qualified non-citizen” immigration status (see details below). > - Humanitarian statuses or circumstances (including Temporary Protected Status, Special Juvenile Status, asylum applicants, Convention Against Torture, victims of trafficking). > - Valid non-immigrant visas. > - Legal status conferred by other laws (temporary resident status, LIFE Act, Family Unity individuals). [Get a full list of immigration statuses eligible for Marketplace coverage](https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/). > > ## Lawfully present immigrants and Marketplace savings > > If you’re a lawfully present immigrant, you can get Marketplace coverage. You may qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums and extra savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income. > > The > > is a measure of income used to decide your eligibility for certain programs and benefits. This could include savings on Marketplace health insurance, and Medicaid and CHIP coverage. > > - If your annual income is above 400% of the > > - : You may still qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly premium. > > - If your annual income is between 100% and 400% FPL: You may qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace health coverage. > > - If your annual income is at or below 150% FPL and you’re not eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): You may be able to enroll in or change Marketplace coverage through a > > - . [Check if you can get health coverage.](https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/) > > - If your annual household income is below 100% FPL: If you’re not otherwise eligible for Medicaid, you’ll qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace coverage if you meet all other eligibility requirements. > **[Health coverage for lawfully present immigrants](https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/)** > > Lawfully present immigrants can get Marketplace coverage and may qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace plans. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-elderly-person-decides-to-move-to-the-us-to-retire-what-do-they-do-for-health-insurance/1011883/7 "2024-12-20T21:51:07Z")
Not retired, but self-employed. I moved to the US at the age of 62. In the new year, I will qualify for my wife’s work-based health insurance. In the meantime, I’ve paid more than I’ve ever paid in my life for health insurance just to cover the period from when I moved here in September until sometime mid-January. I won’t qualify for any Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid benefits until I’m eligible for citizenship in 5 years. Even then, because I haven’t paid in to it, I don’t think I qualify to get anything out of it. And if my wife’s plan falls through, work changes, she retires, etc - no idea for certain, but I think the biggest option would be to move back to Canada.