• Edited By
    Lee Williams
    Lee Williams, senior editor for RetireGuide.com

    Lee Williams

    Senior Financial Editor

    Lee Williams is a professional writer, editor and content strategist with 10 years of professional experience working for global and nationally recognized brands. He has contributed to Forbes, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen.com, Electric Literature and The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs and published authors.

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  • Published: September 7, 2021
  • Updated: March 1, 2023
  • 13 min read time
  • This page features 13 Cited Research Articles
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There are many things green card holders need to be aware of when considering Medicare. Is this a free benefit? What are the eligibility requirements? How will Medicare affect the opportunity to become a citizen? With over 2 million lawful permanent residents over the age of 65 residing in the U.S. in 2019, a number that rises each year, having access to this information has never been more important.

Use this guide to help you understand how Medicare works and if you’re eligible to receive this government-sponsored benefit as a green card holder.

Are Green Card Holders Eligible for Medicare?

Lawful residents of the U.S. are eligible for Medicare based on several factors. The primary two include the time you’ve spent living in the country and the length of time you’ve worked during your residency. Occasionally, if you don’t meet these requirements but your spouse does, you may still be eligible for Medicare coverage. These factors can also determine how much you may have to pay for Medicare.

Requirements for Medicare Eligibility as a Green Card Holder

To be eligible for full Medicare benefits as a green card holder, you need to be 65 or older (or have a qualifying disability), and have lived in the U.S. for at least five consecutive years. You or your spouse also need to have worked in the U.S. for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters during one’s lifetime).

You may still be eligible for Medicare if you’ve worked fewer years, but you’ll likely pay a higher cost for the benefits. Those who have worked in the U.S. for the required 10 years or more are eligible for Medicare Part A without the premiums. If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A benefits, you may still be able to purchase coverage.

The cost of Medicare Part B is based on how much you made in your working years rather than how long you worked. For this reason, most individuals still have to pay a premium for this coverage, even if they’ve worked in the country for 20 to 30 years. Those who have to purchase Part A coverage are only eligible to do so after purchasing Part B coverage.

Medicare Eligibility Requirements for Green Card Holders

How Long Do You Have To Be a Permanent Resident Before Applying for Medicare?

You need to have established residency for at least five consecutive years before signing up for Medicare benefits. If you haven’t been a resident for the required amount of time, you may still qualify if you’ve been married to a fully insured green card holder or citizen for at least one full calendar year.

What Happens if You Don’t Enroll When You’re First Eligible?

Whether you’re a citizen or permanent resident, you’ll incur penalties if you choose not to enroll into Medicare when you’re first eligible. Particularly for Part B coverage, your premium may increase 10 percent each year you delay enrollment.

For those who have to purchase Part A coverage but delay doing so, your premium may increase 10 percent. You’ll have to pay this increased premium for double the number of years you delayed receiving the benefit.

The penalty you would have to pay for delaying Part D coverage is fairly complex. Medicare calculates the penalty amount based on how long you delayed coverage and on the national base beneficiary premium.

Is Medicare Free for Green Card Holders?

To receive premium-free Part A Medicare coverage, you’ll need 40 work credits, or have worked in the U.S. for a minimum of 40 quarters in your lifetime. During this time you’ll have paid Medicare and Social Security taxes. To earn one work credit, you’ll need to have worked one quarter and earned at least $1,470, according to the Social Security Administration.

If you have not worked the full 10 years, you can still purchase Medicare Part A insurance, which mainly covers hospital services. The cost to purchase Part A coverage in 2023 can be up to $506 per month.

Even if you receive premium-free Part A coverage, you are still responsible for paying other aspects of Medicare, such as Part B premiums and the 20 percent coinsurance for services. However, you can opt for a private supplement plan to reduce these costs.

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Medicare Costs

Regardless of citizenship status, if you’re eligible for Medicare you’ll have to pay its associated costs. This includes relevant premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. If you don’t have the necessary work credits to receive premium-free Part A coverage, you’ll need to pay this premium out-of-pocket depending on the number of years you’ve worked in the country.

Here is a basic premium cost breakdown for Medicare Parts A, B, C and D coverage in 2023:

Part A premium (hospital coverage):
  • 40+ work credits (10 years or more): $0
  • 30-39 work credits (7-9 years): $278 per month
  • Less than 30 work credits (Less than 7.5 years): $506 per month
Part B monthly premium (medical coverage): (Based on 2023 income filed on an individual tax return)
  • $91,000 or less: $164.90
  • Above $97,000 and less than or equal to $123,000: $238.80
  • Above $123,000 and less than or equal to $153,000: $329.70
  • Above $153,000 and less than or equal to $183,000: $428.60
  • Above $183,000 and less than or equal to $500,000: $527.50
  • Above $500,000: $560.50
Part C premium (Medicare Advantage)
  • Varies by plan
Part D premium (prescription drug coverage):
  • Varies by plan and income

Even if you were to purchase Medicare Part A, B and D coverage, you’re still likely to have out-of-pocket costs. This is why many private insurance companies offer different Medigap coverage options to mitigate these medical costs.

How To Enroll in Medicare as a Permanent Resident

The enrollment process is the same for everyone. Enroll for Medicare benefits during your initial enrollment period if you want to avoid penalties. This period begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after.

You’ll likely be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B if you receive Social Security benefits four months or more before turning 65. If not, you’ll need to go to the Social Security Administration website and sign up for the benefits you want.

Citizenship, Medicare and Heath Insurance badges

There are various guidelines to know when deciding how you want to benefit from Medicare as a green card holder. Below are some commonly asked questions that can help you gain a more thorough understanding of how Medicare works and what you can expect from it.

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Does Medicare Affect Citizenship?

If you receive Medicare benefits lawfully, this will not affect your ability to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S.

Are Non-Residents Eligible for Medicare?

No. To qualify for Medicare, you must be a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. for at least five years.

What Other Health Insurance Options Are Available to Green Card Holders?

You can purchase various insurance types based on your needs, but basic visitors or travel insurance might be the best option until you can qualify for Medicare. This type of insurance is specifically for individuals who are away from their home country and want to have a protection plan while away.

Understanding the qualifications and costs of Medicare for green card holders can give you a good idea of whether or not you’re eligible and can afford to receive this government benefit. If you’re unsure what Medicare plan or coverage may be best for you, talk with a Medicare advisor who can help you figure out the type and amount of coverage you need.

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Last Modified: March 1, 2023

13 Cited Research Articles

  1. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022, September 27). 2023 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles 2023 Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2023-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles-2023-medicare-part-d-income-related-monthly
  2. Medicare.gov. (2020, December). 2021 Medicare Costs. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11579-medicare-costs.pdf
  3. Medicare.gov. (2020, April). What’s Medicare? Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11306-Medicare-Medicaid.pdf
  4. Baker, B. (2019, September). Population Estimates. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/immigration-statistics/Pop_Estimate/LPR/lpr_population_estimates_2015_-_2019.pdf.pdf
  5. Burke, G., Kean, N. (2019, April). Older Immigrants and Medicare. Retrieved from https://www.justiceinaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FINAL_Older-Immigrants-and-Medicare.pdf
  6. AARP. (n.d.). How do I qualify for Medicare? Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/qualifying-for-medicare/
  7. Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Medicare costs at a glance. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/medicare-costs-at-a-glance
  8. Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Part B late enrollment penalty. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-b-costs/part-b-late-enrollment-penalty
  9. Medicare.gov. (n.d.) Part A late enrollment penalty. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-a-costs/part-a-late-enrollment-penalty
  10. Medicare.gov. (n.d.) Part D late enrollment penalty. Retrieved from ​​https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/part-d-late-enrollment-penalty
  11. Medicare.gov. (n.d.). How do I sign up for Medicare? Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/how-do-i-sign-up-for-medicare
  12. Medicare.gov. (n.d.) Yearly deductible for drug plans. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/yearly-deductible-for-drug-plans
  13. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Quarter of Coverage. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/QC.html
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