username.exe

The *value* of the insurance plan we buy is Approx. $800 p/month pre-tax for our family of 4, incl. dental and vision. Copays are minimal, low deductible. The *cost* for us is $0 p/month, because the way my employer arranges the plans for employees.

(We are given an annual credit, and four or five group plans to choose between. I choose a relatively low premium plan through Kaiser, and keep the surplus of my annual credit. Others go for more premium plans via Sharp and chip in what the credit doesn't cover).

DMECI

Thanks ;-)

Pulaski

If you buy ahead it will likely not be ACA compliant, so you will have a surcharge on your taxes for the year you arrive (IIRC you are allowed to not have ACA-complianct, or any, coverage for three months in any one calendar year and not incurr the fine).

There is typically a "copay" (small fixed fee) for every doctor's visit. I have seen some people who have paid as little as $10, but IME it is usually around $25-$30. For a visit to a specialist it could be upto $100, and the copay usually covers any follow-ups as part of a "course of treatment".

You may find, if you have average or better than average health, that it is cheaper to pay lower premiums and have a higher deductible than to pay higher premiums and still not use all your deductible. E.g. If your insurance has a $1,000 annual deductible and you visit the doctor three times, incurring 3×$250 charges, plus say $100 for prescriptions, you would have been much better off with a higher deductible/lower premium policy because you will have had to pay the full $850 out of pocket because you didn't reach your $1,000 deductible. .... If you save $250/mth by buying a low-deductible policy you could pay upto $3,000 of medical fees from the savings on the premiums, and if you open a Health Savings Account (works a bit like a 401k/private pension) you can fund that with (upto $6,800 of) tax-deductible money.

DMECI

Hi there - that is super useful - thank you !

Couple of follow up questions if you dont mind...

1. If I am non resident (on e2 visa) would I still incur the ACA fine do you know?

2. Where would you recommend I go to for more info on the HSA ?

Thanks again

Pulaski

1. Isn't an E-2 a non-immigrant visa, not a non-resident visa? ..... You'll be liable for US taxes, therefore you're covered by the ACA requirements.

2. HSAs are accounts, operated typically by banks. You could start at a/your bank's web site, or just Google <Health Savings Account>.

DMECI

Great cheers again (and yep should have put non immigrant) ;-)

mandela

This gets confusing very quickly.

I've read the wiki and had a look at the temporary insurers.

Will my wife need temporary cover or does she qualify for medicaid, as a USC. So only I will require temporary cover?

Also, if I buy temporary cover for 6 months but get a job (and i join their scheme) after 2 months can i simply cancel the temporary cover?

Lastly, and i'm almost scared to ask, but can i expect to pay more because i have no credit history?

tom169

I'm not sure about the Medicaid question. I'm not familiar with it.

I suspect the question around cancelling temporary health insurance will depend on the company you sign up with whether they offer refunds.

As for the credit history, if you get the health insurance through your employer it comes straight out of your pay check. Therefore your credit history won't dictate the price or coverage.

mandela

Cheers, Tom.

Sounds about the only thing that won't be more expensive due to my lack of credit history.

Nutmegger

Medicaid is for those on low income and eligibility is determined by a financial test.

mandela

Yeah, she'll be unemployed when she returns so should qualify...unless they take savings into consideration.

Pulaski

Maybe, maybe not. Quite possibly not if she's moving to a state that did not "expand Medicaid" following the implemented of the Affordable Care Act.

SanDiegogirl

Just being unemployed certainly does not qualify you for Medicaid. There will be a full financial assessment to undertake.

Giantaxe

Florida did not expand Medicaid. Unless the OP has minor age children, they will most likely not qualify. It's a misnomer that Medicaid covers all low income people in non-expansion states.

Edit: I see the OP talks about family coverage so maybe that will increase their chances of being covered a little.

gwensvilla

Try looking at img global policies...they're expat policies can be taken out for a couple of years..check them out on line..