Re: Elderly and Healthcare
They will become eligible for Medicare after 5 years whether they have worked here or not but premiums will be much higher in that case. Contrary to popular belief, Medicare is NOT COMPLETELY FREE even if you have worked all your life. So yes, you can pay into Medicare by paying your way in. Also, if your spouse has worked in the US and you have never worked, you are eligible for both medicare and Social Security benefits. The benefits might be different for the non- working spouse but there are benefits just the same.
As for premium amounts, if you have never worked than just to qualify for Medicare part A (hospitalization) which is usually premium free but has a deductible, will be $450 per month. If you have worked a little then your premiums will go down with the number of years you have worked. There is also a deductible for everyone on part A of about $1200 per benefit period (that is if you do get hospitalized).
There is then part B that covers doctors visits, lab tests etc. Most people pay a premium of $104 per month (don’t know if this increases for people who have never worked here), this has an annual deductible of $147 per year. Then there is Drug Coverage known as medicare part D. It has a nominal premium based on income levels ranging from $12 to $69 per month. There may be a deductible as well depending upon which part D plan you sign up for but this does not exceed $310 per year. there is also a coverage gap aka the donut hole which means once you reach a certain amount that has been spent on drugs, Medicare stops paying for it and then after you pay for more drugs and reach a certain amount then medicare takes over again. There is Medicare Advantage (part C or Medigap) to help pay for certain deductibles and costs.