Elderly Health Medicare Eligibility No U.S Work history

[ashina74]

What is the name of your state? AZ

My grandma is 75 year old and a U.S citizen.

She is a widow and did not work in the U.S. She came to live with us as she have no other family or someone who can help her.

She currently claim her as dependent and has an expensive private health insurance through the marketplace.

Her finance is very limited as we pick up most of her expense. We are not sure if she is eligible for medicare, medicaid or any other program.

What is a conditional medicare? QMB application? What is the process?

Since her income is limited will it be better to apply to medicaid?

What is AZ AHCCCS?

Is it better to keep her on private plan through the marketplace?

What will be our best course of action?

 

[doucar]

Did her husband work in the US? If not, she would not be eligible for Medicare. QMB is a form of Medicaid which pays part B deductible on Medicare as well as some doctors and hospital bills. If is a tier of Medicaid, with a highter income requirement than straight Medicaid.

AZ AHCCCS is the state agency which manages medicaid. I would suggest she applies for Medicaid, rather than pay the over 600 a month for Medicare.