zany

I'm 68, married, and my wife was informed by a friend that there was a "reciprocal agreement" between the U.S. and the U.K. to cover health insurance. To date I have not been able to substantiate this but the friend is "sure" this is so. Does anyone know anything about this?

robin1234

Reciprocal agreements exist, but they mostly cover tourists & travellers; not people who have permanently relocated. They generally only cover emergencies or medically necessary care. Here's information from the Australian Government, for instance. However, that might be what your wife's friend was referring to. I don't think the USA is included in reciprocal schemes like this..

Giantaxe

Maybe the friend is confusing it with the reciprocal agreement for social security?

SanDiegogirl

Has your wife worked and obtained her 40 credits making her eligible for Medicare?

The spouse of a resident who has paid into the Medicare scheme, can, usually, obtain cover as well once the paid up spouse reaches 65.

I say, usually, because the Medicare website implies that each person's case is individual - but you should check this out if your wife is eligible.

If your wife is not eligible what is she going to do at 65?

zany

Both my wife and I are from the UK, retired, and have not worked in the U.S. since arrival about thee years ago. We are both over 65.

Giantaxe

I asked this before but got no answer.... why did you move to the US as retirees without seemingly understanding the healthcare implications? Do you have other relatives over here, for example? What insurance do you currently have, if any? If i was in your position, I'd be seriously thinking about moving back to the UK.

scrubbedexpat099

Things are a changing, you should however be able to buy into Medicare in a couple of years.

Ooops I said that, I did read on another board somebody who came here after 65 and could not find any to buy, you may be fortunate and got in under the threshold.

Giantaxe

What are you basing this on?

I do think the healthcare reform provisions will help them, however not until 2014. And even then only assuming the Republicans or courts haven't gutted the reforms by then!

lansbury

If you are not eligible for medicare certainly in Oregon Blue Cross/Blue Shield will insure you after 65. The rates are not in the normal printed list you have to ask.

SanDiegogirl

It is my understanding that, CURRENTLY, if you have been a permanent resident for over 5 years and/or a citizen you can, under some circumstances, pay into the Medicare scheme if you have not acquired the necessary 40 credits.

I am being cautious here, because the Medicare website does not provide definitive descriptions as to who can quality but states "some people may be able to" pay.

I don't believe the OP is eligible for this though, having only been in the US 3 years.

Giantaxe

So they may be able to buy into Medicare around the start of 2013 and they may be helped by healthcare reform (allowing them to buy price-capped private insurance) at the start of 2014.

scrubbedexpat099

Seems a fair summary.

Welcome to America.

SanDiegogirl

I can't imagine coming to the US without health insurance/cover sorted out.

Especially when you are over 60. I think its the most worrying part about moving over here

Anyway my best wishes to the OP - let us know how you get on.

Bob

time for that greeters door job at Walmart...why else do you think the skeletons are doing it well in to their 80's? Not for the conversation.