Are Resident Aliens living in the US for less then 5 years entitled to Medicare Benefits?

Question

I have lived in the US most of my life for the last 35 years. I am an American Citizen. My mother, still lives in Portugal and has no one to take care of her, she is 79 years old and diabetic. I would like to bring her over to live with me so I can take care of her, and give her some support in her old age. I can cover all expenses, but medical can be prohibitive and with her pre existing conditions I am sure she would be uninsurable. Will she be eligible for Medicare if she is a resident alien right away or does she have to live in the country for 5 years BEFORE eligibility begins? Do I have any other options? Please help.

Thank you

Answer 1

No,they are not eligible for Medicare benefits. When you sign for an affidavit of support,that means YOU are responsible for her expenses,that includes medical care. She paid nothing into the system so why would she be able to take from it.

Answer 2

When you bring her over as her sponsor you are totally responsible for her financially. This means you will have to support her 100%. She will not be elgible for any government program. That is what sponsorship is. You guarantee in writing that the tax payers will not have to pay anything.

Answer 3

The reason you will execute an affidavit of support is so that you, not the US taxpayers, will be financially responsible for her.  Immigration law requires that all immigrants pose no risk of becoming a public charge.

Your mom has not paid a dime into the US Medicare system, she's not eligible.

Once she's been in the USA for 5 years, and assuming she's able to become a US citizen, she'll still have to pay Medicare premiums out of her own pocket and they will be much higher since she never paid into the system during her working life.  

You need to fully investigate this.  I recommend you visit your local Social Security Administration office and speak with someone.  The cost of her care could put you into debt for the rest of your life.  You cannot even bankrupt the debt since it's to the government, and like a student loan and taxes, it's forever.