Q583. Free Medical Services for

Parents in USA . . . Continued from Q581

Question: Thanks a lot for your point wise reply. I appriciate your efforts in serving NRIs/and their realtives. Kindly throw light on the following: 1.I underatnd that, in California, Green card Holder parents of their US citizen children, are offered free medical facilties/comsulation with doctrs, and free medicines under "MediCal"scheme. Kindly ifrom if its true and its pros and cons. 2.If my son buys any residential property in india, , and if he pays from his NRE account in India,through bank cheques, to the seller of the proerty in India in INR, then,on sale of such property any time in future, how much amount , my son can bring back to USA? Other than bank cheques records, what more proof, he is to manitain for dong so, to bring back his investment and also profits if any, to USA? 3. If my son, after buying residentail property as above, gives it on rent, then, how he shall be govenned unde tax laws? I mean, how much rental income is free from tax and how much is the tax liability in such case? The rental income needs to go direct into his (my son's NRO account, or, he can authorise me(through power of ttorney) as father to take rent in my name from the tanent, and depostit the rent in my bank account. 4..My son's wife is a US citizen by birth.Can She also buy and sell property in India? 5.. Can we as parents in law, give any gift to our US citizen daughter in law, and if so, what is the limit/per year, and what are the tax obligation on her or on us?The parents of my daughter in law, are Indian born, but now are US citizens. 5.Do me and my wife, need USA's driving Licence to drive car in California, or, our Indian Driving licence shall serve the purpose? Regards, R.Bhatia Answer: You are correct in stating that parents of green card holders who are (legal) residents in the State of California, are offered free medical services under the ‘Medi-Cal’ scheme. However, you may not be fully aware that while parents over 65 years of age may be covered under Medi-Cal, many parents are NOT eligible to receive free medical services. There are property/assets limits for the Medi-Cal program. If your property/assets are over the Medi- Cal set property/asset limit, you will not get Medi-Cal. When a person applies for Medi-Cal, they are asked for detailed information about their income and property held worldwide. All income, including rental income etc. needs to be disclosed. They will ask for all your bank account details also. The chances of hiding income or assets comes at a great risk. Medi-Cal is for those who are not able to to afford medical services due to their financial situation and is meant to help the poor. If you would like more information on the Medi-Cal application and see the actual application form, use the link provided below* I would not advise any senior to retire with their children in USA if they or their children cannot afford to pay for their medical insurance. Information on your questions numbers 2,3,4 are already available on this website. Once you become a California resident, you will require a California driving license. Only tourists visiting USA with a valid international driving license can drive abroad using their home country driving license. *Medi-Cal Application form posted for sample purposes, to view click HERE