INSURANCE

Laura Mutsko Agent, CSA and Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist

Q: Can someone age 65 who is NOT a United States citizen qualify for Medicare?

A: Most U.S. citizens expect to enroll in Medicare once they reach age 65. They have worked in the U.S. and paid into the Medicare system through payroll taxes for at least ten years (40 quarters) or they qualify through their spouse’s work history. In other words, they have met Medicare’s requirements for coverage.

Federal regulations stipulate that legal U.S. residents, sometimes referred to as green card holders, who have lawfully come to the U.S., and attained permanent residence status, must reside continually in the country for five years before they are eligible to enroll in Medicare. Once they have resided in the U.S. for five years, they will need to meet the same qualifications for Medicare as any U.S. citizen.

In general, to qualify for premiumfree Medicare Part A, they must be age 65 and - Worked at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) paying into Medicare or - Qualify through their spouse’s employment history.

If a legal U.S. resident has lived in the U.S. for five years but does not have sufficient work history, they may still be eligible to enroll in Medicare. They can purchase Medicare Part A coverage. In 2018, the monthly premium to purchase Part A coverage can be up to $422 a month, depending on the person’s work history.

Part B coverage may also be available. All enrollees, including citizens and non-citizens alike, pay a premium for Part B coverage, regardless of their work history. Please keep in mind, these are general guidelines and do not take into account any special circumstances. For details on eligibility guidelines, visit Medicare.gov or call 1800.MEDICARE (1800.633.4227) for answers to all your questions. To learn more about Medicare, I invite you to attend my upcoming class,

Getting Started with Medicare, at Morley Library in Painesville, OH on May 21 at 6:00 PM. The class is an overview of Medicare for educational purposes and no plan specific benefits or details will be shared. To register, call 440-255-5700 today. Laura Mutsko Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC 6982 Spinach Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-5700 www.mutskoinsurance.com