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

Vkate-is mom coming from Cuba? A lot are right now due to the thaw & there are a huge amount of instant benefits for anywhere in the US:
- immediately qualify for food stamps
- immediately qualify for Medicaid
- if over 65, get up to $ 733 a month in SSI
They can also get priority in subsidized housing lists and a move-in allotment (this one varies by state & by county, like Miami-Dade waives any utility deposits). SSI amount is NOT dependent on the income of whomever they are staying with either. Cubans can get these for 7 years after arrival without needing to apply for US citizenship. If they do eventually apply for citizenship, the benefits seem to run till forever if they reside in the US. You can go back & forth to the island too as the Cuban pension will be below any income or asset test in the US.

Cubans are special status refugees.

For others, you have to become a citizen to get SSI which is about a 5 year process.

I should add that the circumstances that Medicaid can be obtained is very limited for new residents. But this can help you get lower cost insurance.

This should help a lot. It is always best to check directly with the source. Good luck in getting some type of coverage. Help is available for qualified immigrants. This can include Medicaid under some circumstances.

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/

Sorry, I missed she has only been here 2months.

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.

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.

Tooyoungforthis: no need for snark. She was asking a simple question. Most people on this site want to help not insult, thankfully.

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.

She would have to work 10 years to qualify for medicare. You have to have what tge government call work credits equal to 10 years of filing tax returns with income that paid into the medicare system.

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

Does she get Medicare? Medicaid would be a supplimental. You need to call your local Medicaid dept. They will be able to give you info. My Mil lived here 65 yrs on a greencard.

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.

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.

Did she escape from a war torn country such as Syria? I have not idea if there are any special stipends or arrangements for refugees, but you might contact your legislative reps and ask that question.

Also, some ethinic groups might have assistance to offer. After the USSR broke up, I met a woman in one of my classes who had been supported for refuge and emigration from the USSR, brought here by that organization, assisted with housing and finding a job.

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

If she is not ill or have medical issues, what makes you think she needs medical checkups? I am a senior and have medical insurance that pays everything, but I only see my female doctor to get refills on my migraine meds, and my every two year mammogram and DEXA (bone density) exams. Green cards do not permit resident status until after years of living here and abiding all laws.

A social worker at any hospital can explain your options. I don't know enough to help, but a social worker at a hospital or someone at your state Family Services Office will know. Good luck.

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.