What is the U.S. healthcare system really like? After immigrating to the United States, what kind of protection and benefits can holders of a U.S. Green Card and U.S. permanent resident status enjoy in the American medical field? Worldway Group U.S. immigration experts will provide a detailed analysis of the U.S. healthcare system and social welfare for the reference of our immigrant friends.
The U.S. social welfare and insurance system was established in 1935 and is administered by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Over the past 80 years, this system has been widely accepted by Americans and has become an important part of their lives.
The basic U.S. healthcare system includes the following major aspects:
1. Social Security Number
In the United States, the amount of social security benefits an individual can receive in their lifetime is calculated based on the income recorded on their Social Security card. Therefore, it is very important to use one Social Security number throughout your life.
Worldway Group U.S. immigration experts remind you: The name you use when working must be the same as the name on your Social Security card. In addition, your children will also have their own Social Security cards. When filling out tax forms, you must also include your children's Social Security numbers in the immediate family section.
2. Social Security Tax
If you work for someone else, your employer will deduct the Social Security Tax and Medicare Tax you are required to pay from your wages, pay them to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on your behalf, and report your income to the Social Security Administration. The IRS will notify the Social Security Administration of your income. The amount you are required to pay is equal to the sum of the employer and employee portions, but you will receive some special deductions.
3. Earning Social Security "Credits"
As you work and pay taxes, you earn Social Security "credits," which will determine whether you are eligible to receive social security benefits in the future. According to regulations, you can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year. Most people need to earn 40 credits (which means working for ten years) to be eligible for retirement benefits in the future. For younger people, the required credits may be lower when they need to claim disability or survivors' benefits.
4. Social Security Benefits
The social security benefits you can receive are a certain percentage of your average wages over your working years.
Everyone's social security benefits should not be the only source of income for their retirement life. You should also make other plans for your later years, such as pension plans, savings, and other investments.
Low-income individuals receive a slightly higher percentage of benefits than high-income individuals. For an average-income earner, the benefits they can receive are 40% of their average wages over their working years. In addition, the U.S. has specialized agencies that provide free services to citizens to evaluate the amount of benefits they will receive.
5. Pension
Anyone who has earned enough Social Security credits and has reached retirement age can receive a pension (people aged 62 can also receive a pension, but the amount is reduced by a certain percentage). The retirement age for those born before 1938 is 65. The retirement age for those born after 1938 gradually increases, and for those born in 1960 (including those born after 1960), the retirement age is 67. Anyone who delays retirement, that is, delays receiving their pension, will earn special credits each month until age 70.
6. Disability Insurance
Anyone who has earned enough Social Security credits and suffers from a serious physical or mental illness that prevents them from engaging in regular work for more than one year, or who suffers from a terminal illness, can receive disability benefits. Generally speaking, work with a monthly income of over $800 is considered regular work.
7. Family Benefits
If you qualify for retirement or disability benefits, your family members may also be eligible for family benefits. Family members include:
● Spouses over 62 years old
● Spouses under 62 years old who are caring for a child under 16
● Unmarried children under 18
● Children under 19 who are full-time students
● Children 18 or older who are disabled
If you are divorced, your ex-wife or ex-husband may also be eligible for these benefits. (There are separate detailed regulations limiting the eligibility of ex-spouses.)
8. Survivors' Benefits
If you have earned enough Social Security credits, your family members can receive survivors' benefits after your death. Family members include:
● Widows or widowers aged 60 or older
● Widows or widowers aged 50 or older who are disabled
● Widows or widowers of any age who are caring for a child under 16
● Unmarried children under 18
● Children under 19 who are full-time students
● Children 18 or older who are disabled
● Parents who relied on you as their primary source of financial support
In addition, widows, widowers, and minor children can receive a special one-time payment of $225. If you are divorced, your ex-wife or ex-husband may also be eligible for survivors' benefits. (There are separate detailed regulations limiting the eligibility of ex-spouses.)
9. Medicare
Medicare is divided into two parts: Hospital Insurance (also known as Part A) and Medical Insurance (also known as Part B).
Generally speaking, anyone who is 65 or older and eligible for Social Security benefits is automatically eligible for Medicare. People who have received disability benefits for two consecutive years are also eligible for Medicare. Others must submit an application before they can receive it.
Hospital Insurance (Part A) is funded by Social Security taxes and covers hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and other services.
10. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income provides monthly living subsidies to low-income and destitute individuals. Only those aged 65 or older and those with disabilities are eligible. Adults or children can also receive disability payments under SSI.
The federal government pays a base amount, and the state government provides an additional subsidy to help you reach a certain standard of living. Generally speaking, those who qualify for SSI are also eligible for Medicaid, food stamps, and other assistance.
It should be noted that SSI is not funded by the Social Security trust fund, nor does it depend on your previous wage income. It is paid from the nation's general tax revenue to ensure that the elderly and disabled maintain a basic standard of living.
In addition to the welfare policies created by the Social Security system, the United States has many other social welfare programs covering various aspects of life and work. The more common ones include the following categories:
I. Work Insurance
1. Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance is an insurance system. A portion is deducted from the insured's wages each month to pay for the insurance. Once the insured becomes unemployed, they can receive compensation, which is generally half of their original salary.
2. Worker's Compensation Program
Employers pay premiums to the state government or insurance companies, and workers can file a claim if they are injured on the job. The specific compensation amount and duration depend on the premiums paid by the employer, and certain medical expenses can also be reimbursed.
3. State Disability Insurance
Only California, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico have this type of insurance, which is specifically designed for people who cannot work temporarily due to short-term illness. In other words, the insured must be employed while ill, and once they recover and return to work, the insurance payments stop.
II. Public Service for Low Income Persons
1. Food Stamps
The U.S. Department of Agriculture allocates funds to state governments to issue food stamps, which can only be used to exchange for U.S.-produced agricultural products and cannot be exchanged for cash. Any U.S. resident with low income insufficient to make ends meet is eligible to apply for food stamps from the agency.
2. School Lunch Program
This is a national nutritional meal plan established by the government to ensure the physical health of school children.
3. Home Energy Assistance Program
Designed to help low-income families reduce heating and electricity costs, non-U.S. citizens can also benefit. In addition to helping pay for heating and electricity, the energy assistance program can also help repair heaters, gas pipes, and other related heating equipment.
4. Public Low Income Housing
This benefit comes in four forms: public housing, subsidized housing, rent subsidies, and low-cost housing. Applicants must be at least 62 years old or have a low income; some housing subsidies require meeting both conditions.
III. Medical Assistance
1. Medicaid
Unlike Medicare, Medicaid is a healthcare program specifically designed for low-income families. One can enjoy both Medicare and Medicaid, but it is limited to U.S. citizens.
2. In-Home Support Service
Jointly funded by federal, state, and county governments, this program provides housekeeping and non-medical care for the elderly over 65, the blind, or the disabled, allowing beneficiaries to live safely at home without having to move into nursing homes or public medical institutions.
Worldway Group U.S. immigration experts point out: To better enjoy the U.S. healthcare system and welfare, obtaining legal status is crucial. The U.S. EB-5 investment immigration program is highly popular due to its simple application requirements and short processing cycle. One person applies, the whole family immigrates, and they can enjoy high-quality U.S. medical care and benefits. After obtaining a Green Card, you can freely enter and exit the United States, live and work in any region of the United States, and there is no requirement to stay in the U.S. for a minimum period (no immigration jail).
For U.S. EB-5 investment immigration, the key to success lies in choosing the right project. In the 2015 fiscal year, U.S. investment immigration will face major events such as the arrival of visa backlogs, a surge in applications, and the expiration of the Regional Center Program, and it is highly likely that the investment amount will increase. Therefore, choosing an EB-5 project pre-approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has become the best choice to deal with uncertainties. The Pennsylvania Turnpike project and the New York Liberty Garden luxury apartment project, exclusively represented by Worldway Group, are both high-quality EB-5 projects pre-approved by the USCIS. To immigrate to the United States and enjoy high-quality medical resources, please act quickly and call 400-138-2929.
