Health Insurance Options for Immigrants to USA


美国移民医疗保险的选择

 

 

September 27, 2011

By  Howard Houghton

Fairfax County VICAP Program

 

2011927
霍华德·霍顿  费县VICAP计划

 

 

 

中文翻译 王焕燈 2011/9/23


 

 

OVERVIEW

·       There are very few options for affordable health care for new immigrants to the USA. We will discuss the options generally available to most county residents.

·       The state Medicaid program generally requires citizenship status for all new enrollees effective January 1, 2006.

·       The federal Medicare program requires a legally qualified alien to be living in the USA for 5 years prior to being eligible to buy into that program.

·       The Fairfax County Community Health Care Program has a 9-month residency requirement.

·       Private/individual insurance is very expensive.

·      For prescriptions coverage try www.needymeds.org

概述

 

Medicaid

·       Medicaid is a state health program that helps pay for medical care.

·       To be eligible you must have limited income and resources.

医疗补助计划(Medicaid

 

How Do I Apply?

·       Contact one of the local Department of Family Services offices in Fairfax County. They are located in Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church and Reston. You can call 703-324-7500 for info and applications for various programs.

·       You will need to complete an application that will ask about your income and assets; your U.S. citizenship and identity; or your alien status.

·      A face-to-face interview is not required.

我该如何申请?

 

When Does it Start?

·       An eligibility decision will be made on your completed application within 45 days.

·       Medicaid coverage starts on the first day of the month in which you apply and are found to be eligible.

·       Medicaid coverage can start as early as three months before the month in which you applied if you meet all eligibility requirements and received a medical service during that time.

医疗补助什么时候开始?

 

How Do I Keep Coverage?

·       Once approved for Medicaid, coverage will continue for 12 months, provided that all of the eligibility requirements continue to be met.

·       If you are notified to complete a form or send in proof of income or resources, it is very important that you do so immediately. If you fail to do so your coverage will be cancelled.

·       One common problem is not realizing that if you leave the state you need to notify Medicaid to close your case.  If they were paying your Medicare premium you will now be responsible for it. Be aware!

我如何保持医疗补助的承保?

 

What Is Covered?

·       Physician Services

·       Hospital Care

·       Home Health Services

·       Durable Medical Equipment

·       Nursing Facility Care

·       Prescription Drugs, unless you are on Medicare Part D.

·       Plus More Services listed in the Medicaid handbook or online at www.dmas.virginia.gov 

医疗补助(Medicaid)覆盖哪些范围?

 

Limited Coverage Groups

·       Individuals who are eligible for Medicare & meet one of the following covered groups may receive limited Medicaid coverage. Medicaid pays the Medicare costs on behalf of these beneficiaries as indicated. These are called Medicare Savings Programs (MSP).

·       Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): must be entitled to Medicare Part A. Income must be at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines ($928 single/$1246 couple) and resources must be at or below $6,680 for a single person and $10,020 for a couple. If eligible, Virginia will pay for the Medicare Part A and B premiums and the coinsurance and deductibles that Medicare does not pay.

有限的保险人群

 

Limited Coverage Groups

·       Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Must be entitled to Medicare Part A. Income must be between 100% and 120% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines ($1,109 single/$1,491 couple) and resources must be at or below $6,680 for a single person and $10,020 for a couple. If eligible, Medicaid pays the Medicare Part B premium.

有限的保险人群

 

Limited Coverage Groups

有限的保险人群

 

Medicare   

·       The law requires a legally qualified alien, with a green card, to live for five uninterrupted years in the USA prior to becoming eligible for Medicare. The person may apply for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period between January 1 and March 31 of any year, with an effective date of the next July 1st. They can also apply during their Initial Enrollment Period, any time during the three months prior to reaching age 65 through the third month after reaching age 65.

·       Generally, a person must reach age 65 to be eligible though persons who have been receiving Social Security disability for two years can apply for Medicare at that time.

联邦医疗保险(Medicare)

·        联邦医疗保险法要求,合法外国人、持有绿卡,在美国不间断地住满5年方有资格享受联邦医保。这种人可在任何年份的1/1日~3/31日的一般加入期里申请联邦医保,其生效日为接下来的71日。他们也可在其初次登记期间,亦即达到65岁前的3个月至65岁后的3个月内的任何时间申请。

·        一般说,必须达到65岁的人才有资格,但已领取社安伤残两年的人即可随时申请联邦医疗保险。

 

Medicare

·       You apply for Medicare Parts A and/or B at the Social Security office; online or over the phone. It’s best to have an appointment to apply in person.

·       You should call the Social Security toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment.

·       Part A has premiums unless you have earned 40 qualified work quarters. Without work quarters it costs $450 monthly for Part A in 2011.

·       Part B has a base premium of $115.40 for new enrollees.

·       You can call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to ask any questions about that program. They have interpreters available in many languages.

联邦医疗保险(Medicare)

 

Medicare Parts C & D

·       Beginning in 2006 Medicare introduced a medication benefit, commonly called Part D. It provides needed medications through private companies. There are about 30 plans in our area from which to choose. The average cost of premiums is about $40 monthly.

·       Part C plans are commonly called Medicare Advantage. They are supposed to provide the same services as Medicare. Some offer limited dental benefits and other benefits, but are full of problems so be VERY careful enrolling in them. You can learn more about both types of plans at www.medicare.gov

联邦医疗保险Part C Part D

 

Part C & D Financial Assistance

·       Some persons qualifying for Part C or D may qualify for some assistance with the cost of their plan’s copayments, deductibles and premiums.

·       Persons receiving Medicaid or in an MSP will automatically receive this help.

·       Other persons may qualify for low-income assistance (LIS) by applying through the Social Security Administration. This can be done by application or online at www.ssa.gov.

·       See Low-Income Subsidy handout.

Part C Part D的经济援助

 

Medicare Supplement Insurance

·       Medicare supplemental insurance is meant to work in coordination with Medicare to pay for beneficiary cost sharing of medical expenses.

·       You can obtain such coverage from a former employer as retiree health coverage or by buying an individual Medigap health plan.

·       Federal law requires insurers to sell Medigap policies that are one of 10 standard plans. These plans are labeled with the letters A through N. Each plan offers various benefits.

联邦医保的补充保险

 

Medicare Supplemental Insurance

·       Medigap policies pay most, if not all, of traditional Medicare’s coinsurance amounts and in some cases deductibles.

·       These plans cost more as you get older. The cost for a good plan at age 65 would be about $115 monthly.

·       For more data about Medigap go online to: www.scc.virginia.gov/boi .

联邦医保的补充保险

 

Long-Term Care Costs

·       Long-term care is a term used when a person needs care on a long-term basis, whether while in a nursing facility or in their home.

·       The type of care normally needed during this time is usually custodial care such as bathing, feeding or dressing rather than skilled nursing care. Medicare does not pay for unskilled care unless it is being received in conjunction with skilled care.

长期护理的费用

 

Long-Term Care Costs

·       The majority of LTC costs are paid by the state Medicaid program but you need to have a very low income and very low assets to qualify. You should contact your local Dept of Family Services to apply for LTC Medicaid.

·       Fairfax County residents would call 703-324-7504. You can also learn more online at www.dmas.virginia.gov .

·       You can buy LTC insurance to cover such costs. This insurance is very costly. You can find such plans at www.scc.virginia.gov/boi .

长期护理的费用

 

Community Health Care Network

·       The Fairfax County Health Department offers 3 clinics that provide health care services to lower income residents. You must not have other health coverage; meet income guidelines; and be a resident of the county for 9 months prior to applying except in rare circumstances.

·       Clinics are located in Alexandria, Falls Church and Reston. Call 703-246-2411 for more details.

·       All household income in counted for eligibility.

·       There are some other health clinics not administered by the county that also provide some medical services. Please refer to the list of clinics found at www.needymeds.org .

社区医疗服务网

 

Private/Individual Insurance

·       If you are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or the Community Health Care Network then you need to consider purchasing a private health plan. Such plans will cost several hundred dollars or more monthly.

·       You can locate the names of insurance companies in the phone book or by going online to the Virginia Bureau of Insurance at the following web address: www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi/webpages/boiindividhealthinscoverage.htm

私营的个人保险

·        如您不符合联邦医保(Medicare)、州医疗补助(Medicaid)或社区医疗服务网(Community Health Care Network)的资格那您便需考虑购买一种私营的医疗计划。这种计划每月费用在几百美元以上。

·        您可通过电话簿或联网到维州保险局的网址www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi/webpages/boiindividhealthinscoverage.htm 找到保险公司名单的地址。

 

Needy Meds

·       If your most pressing health care problem is finding low cost prescriptions you can try to find low cost generic medications at Wal-Mart, Giant, Target or some other store.

·       You should also look at www.needymeds.org.

·       Needy Meds is a clearinghouse for the drug manufacturer patient assistance programs. You can find free or low-cost medications on their site. If eligible, you usually receive a 90-day supply of medications at no cost.

穷困药

 

QUESTIONS ???

·       It takes proper planning to arrange these services. Phone numbers for various offices are located in this presentation.

·       Please ask questions before enrolling in any health plan so you know what you are joining.

·       You can always contact the VICAP program at 703-324-5851 with questions.

·       Thank you for your time and patience.

有问题吗???