adamas

I am undergoing consular processing for an employment-based green card and looking into immigrating to the USA next summer, most likely.

My company provides health insurance, however this starts only after 60 days of employment. So, for the first couple of months or so, I will not have coverage.

I know that there are short term policies, however my big problem is that I have a pre-existing medical condition (that requires daily medication) and, based on my research so far, no short term policy would cover pre-existing conditions.

Are you aware of any temporary policy that covers pre-existing conditions? Is there any solution, other than waiting for the company insurance to start?

Pulaski

No need for it to be short term or temporary, just apply through your state healthcare portal or healthcare.gov then switch to your employer's insurance when you become eligible.

Personally, if I needed daily medication, I would bring a couple of months supply with me. ..... And if I had a chronic preexisting condition I would think very carefully whether I wanted to live in the US, where the cost of my healthcare would be subject to the vagaries of the political climate.

adamas

Would I be eligible to enroll into an individual policy outside the open enrollment period, for instance if I move in August/September? Can I enroll before setting foot on US soil? Is it possible to keep the individual plan for just two or three months and then cancel it or do I need to stay on it for a full year?

I have been in touch with my company's insurance provider and they said that it is not guaranteed that a state resident (Idaho), but not a citizen, can enroll into an individual plan. Honestly, it sounded quite weird...

I am planning to bring as much medication as I can. However, I am worried about the need for doctor's appointments and emergencies.

It is really sad and that, after having been able to get a green card from abroad among the millions of people who dream of moving to the USA, my health condition affects so much the chance of living in the supposedly biggest democracy and a civilized country such as the USA.

Pulaski

Yes (immigration is a qualifying event for enrolling in health insurance), & no (at very least you will need an address and an SSN)

They don't know what they're talking about. If you're in-state and liable for income tax, you can enroll.

That makes sense.
The US is widely misunderstood, and many people in the US place a lot of emphasis on being self sufficient, not relying on national, state or local government for services. It is a very pervasive attitude here, even among some people who could qualify for government handouts.

Giantaxe

The OP made no mention of wanting "to rely on national, state or local government for services." but merely expressed frustration at just how fubar healthcare access is in the US.

petitefrancaise

fubar!!!

I didn't know that one!

scrubbedexpat099

I would have required Company cover from Day 1.

tom169

Yes, me too. There is no law around the 60 days issue.

adamas

My company asked for a waiver to the 60-day waiting period, but the insurance provider will not do an exception. It is a small company, so I guess they have little negotiation power.

adamas

About SSN, how long does it generally take to get it?

I read that I can either apply before immigrating, in the DS-260 form, or after I enter the USA in person at a SSA office. Which one is the quickest way?

tom169

Took me a couple weeks to get one after going into the SSA office. You can start work without it.

tooboocoo

[/I]It is really sad and that, after having been able to get a green card from abroad among the millions of people who dream of moving to the USA, my health condition affects so much the chance of living in the supposedly biggest democracy and a civilized country such as the USA.[/I]

I understand your concern at this time, not knowing (for now) how your medication costs will be met.

However... you must recognise that YOUR particular condition - whether due to bad luck, genetics, lifestyle, etc. - has NOT actually affected your chance of living in the US. Are you not about to receive a Green Card?

And why the nasty "supposedly biggest democracy" and "civilized country" remarks? Millions of people around the planet vie to enter it, as you mentioned. No-one's forcing you, hopefully.

MidAtlantic

I agree with others.. go the state health care portal or healthcare.gov route if you can. If not, Google "health insurance for permanent residents" and you will come up with many possibilities.

adamas

I will look into the state health care. However, is it possible to enroll into any of these plans for just two or three months and then cancel it, without having to pay the premium for the whole year, once my employer group plan starts?

MidAtlantic

Yes - check it out here:

https://www.healthcare.gov/reporting...s/cancel-plan/

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...plan/index.htm