My Mother (68) has a green card and has only arrived to the USA 2 month ago. Can she apply for Medicaid?

If a US citizen moved to the country your mom comes from would that citizen immediately qualify for free medical care?

BTW, I am a Texan. I have the greatest respect for the immigrants who work so hard building and maintaining the state. I lack respect for the businesses that use Mexican labor, then act like they are taking a stand against the immigrants. Any Texan knows how much the immigrants contribute. Few American citizens will work so hard in the south Texas heat. I appreciate them.

Immigrants also do much of the building here in Alabama. Mexican crews work cheaper, so contractors use them. And the immigrants are so important in crops across the entire southern US. I have great thanks for the immigrants from Mexico. They help keep the cost of food affordable.

If you got her a green card and signed that you are sponsoring her, she cannot apply for Medicaid. Part of the sponsorship means that you agreed to be fully responsible for all her needs.

In order to get Medicaid, many qualified non-citizens (such as many LPRs or green card holders) have a 5-year waiting period. This means they must wait 5 years after receiving "qualified" immigration status before they can get Medicaid coverage. There are exceptions. You need to check with your State Medicaid office.

My best friends in-laws came to visit on a Visa and stayed a year. They finally found a good plan with Kaiser.

Your mother does not have a "right" to Medicaid. And the reason why she doesn't have a "right" to Medicaid is because she is not a legal citizen of the United States.

Why do illegal immigrants think they can get medical coverage because they've stepped foot into this country?

Your mother is only 68 & has a green card---she can still work. She can get a job & pay the doctors when she visits them. Just because she is a "senior" doesn't mean she can't get a job. Plenty of 68 year old people in this country are still working their behinds off.

Most hospitals have programs that offer reduced or free medical services to the indigent. You should check with YOUR doctor; in the days before ACA, my doctors often saw my uninsured adult daughter for a reduced fee ( I think it was $75.00 per visit). It kept her in good health in the short term.

vkate12, curious why you didn't check on the health insurance issues PRIOR to your Mom coming to the U.S.?

I am older than your Mom and I am still employed, and my boss is even older than I am. As TooYoungForThis above had pointed out, see if your Mom can find job [even part-time] which she can use for health care and to help you with room/board.

One can only get Medicare if they had worked paying U.S. payroll taxes into Social Security/Medicare.

Vkate12 I symphatize with Your Mother for being in this awful position. I emigrated to Boston Mass in 1985 as a young 25 year old. I began work immediately since I had employment all set up. After only five weeks I collapsed at work and became unconscious. After being examined at the Mount Auburn Hospital it was decided immediately that I should be returned home to Cork, Ireland. Subsequently I was diagnosed with a BRAIN TUMOR, and I was operated on immediately at CUH, a wonderful Hospital. I had the same operations in 1991 and 1992. Thank God I am well since.
IF YOUR MOTHER NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENSION BRING HER HOME TO HER HOME LAND, AS WITHOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE IN THE USA IT WILL BREAK YOU, MENTALLY AND FINANCIALLY.
NIL AOIN TINTEAN MAR DO THINTEAN FEIN.

Medicare is for people who have actually WORKED in the U.S. for at least 10 years. This woman does not get ANY benefits and family, church is her only resource. The government is NOT a blank check for everyone.