jbrierley82

Hello,

I've read a couple of posts indicating London have sometimes requested medical insurance coverage and thought it would be useful to have a post on it.

Can anyone who has experienced this please post here and also detail where you got your medical insurance from, what the coverage was, for how long, whether docs can be printed from online etc. Also whether the embassy accepted it.

Thanks,

James

clarissageo

I got mine for myself and two children aged 11 from buyamericaninsurance.com

I was looking at the policy last night, and in my eyes it looks pretty good, my sister in law (who is a medical assistant) has said it looks like a good deal.

Its the patriot america plan. My premium was $395. The boys were $295 each. The Embassy insisted it was prepaid. They wanted it for 3 months, but did say they normally ask for 3 years. I gave them 5 months.

The policy has a $500k maximum benefit for the duration of the policy (and is renewable online). its an 90/10 co pay in network and an 80/20 co pay out of network, with a $250 dedcutible.

Some of the things it also covers in addition to medical are : Dental emergency up to $100 for pain treatment, Lost luggage $50 per item up to $250, Return of Mortal remains to home country up to $25k, and emergency reunion $15k.

You can print all of your documents online, which includes an ID card for your wallet, the full policy document, Prescription Discount card, Declaration of medical insurance, and an introductory letter specifically for visa's with the basic details of the policy on, including your certificate number.

Claim forms can be printed on line, and they have a search function to find your local doctor/specialist or hospital that are in-network. I looked last night and there are at least 15 family doctors within a 5 mile radius of where we are going to be living, all of which are taking new patients.

As far as if the embassy are going to accept it - I'll have to get back to you on that one. The rest of the paperwork they wanted from me is meant to be arriving from the states by UPS today, and the courier is picking everything up from us tomorrow. As soon as I know if they've accepted it, I'll let you know. I did ask if it could be done online, and the ConOff said that was no problem, as long as the policy was in there and the evidence that it had been prepaid in full.

Hope this helps.

bybarra

Does anyone have any idea as to whether having a job to go to in the US with benefits and insurance will be considered sufficient?

I (USC) have a real start date and loads of communication with my new HR department. I was planning on getting a month's worth of medical insurance for myself, husband, and daughter to bridge the gap between UK and job start date.

Noorah101

Well, let's put it this way...it SHOULD be sufficient. But then again, the ConOffs never used to ask to show proof of ANY insurance, until the couple of posts we saw just this past week!

There's no way of knowing at this point how picky ConOffs will be regarding medical insurance and/or I-864 requirements these days.

Rene

jbrierley82

So what category of visa is this being requested for - any?

Noorah101

So far, the one I recall offhand is an Immigrant Visa. It's in this thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=575178

Sorry, I had mentioned DCF, but they filed the I-130 in the USA. My bad.

Rene

mrs Bucket

Thanks for this info. I hope you get through okay this time.

They seems to be asking for so much. I have never read anywhere about the health insurance. so the site you mentioned sounds good. Have not sent paperwork yet, as waiting for dr to sign police cert form then will send off readiness for interview form. ( I am getting concerned now about this need for co sponsor, we have savings and was going to asset from house that has no mortgage, but maybe hubby (usc) will have to contact relatives not seen for years!) we are a couple who like to do things off our own back and not rely on anyone.

Sorry went off there, insurance hopefully we can pre date for 3 months in advance but we will get for a year for me and 18 month old. Luckily she becomes a citizen when she finally arrives, just me to worry about!

This visa process started off so easily, now it is getting difficult and scary!

Good luck to all.

Rene: Hopefully we will get to AZ April/May next year! Belated Happy thanksgiving

Amanda

bybarra

It's so stressful to think you've got everything in order and then hear of stories & experiences that show there's definitely room for the interviewer to add to the stated requirements.

Best of luck with the insurance submission. Let us know how it goes!

Noorah101

Hi Amanda,

Perfect time to come to AZ! Looking forward to meeting you some time!

Rene

clarissageo

I'm sorry if I've made people worry with what happened at my Interview - it really wasn't my intention to cause people more stress.... but hopefully it gives someone else the chance to have a fall back plan just in case they are also asked for it.


OT- my package from the states with all my extra documents in has just arrived, so I'm going to zip into town and get everything photocopied ready for the courier to collect in the morning

bybarra

Clarissa,

Thanks for posting your experience. We had been planning on getting the insurance to cover ourselves anyway, but will now be sure to have it in hand when we go for the interview. We never would have thought this would have been part of the paperwork we'd need to bring, so thanks a lot for sharing.

GOOD LUCK!

mrs Bucket

[QUOTE=clarissageo;7018666]I'm sorry if I've made people worry with what happened at my Interview - it really wasn't my intention to cause people more stress.... but hopefully it gives someone else the chance to have a fall back plan just in case they are also asked for it.


Clarissageo

The info of your experience will only help us not hinder! So thank you.

Hope you get everything copied and courier turns up tomorrow on time.

Thanks

Amanda

Rete

Unfortunately, that is the nature of the beast. They have the ability to change criteria in mid-stream and for that reason it is why forums, such as these, are so useful. The experiences of others who first encounter the changes in requirements are the ones will help make your way a little easier.

ian-mstm

While it's *usually* never my intent to undermine USCIS, I'll say here what I said in another thread with respect to insurance... you should only need insurance long enough to successfully enter the US. You should *not* need it for a year... only long enough to get you into the US where *if* you need the insurance coverage to continue, your options may be better - especially if you'll be covered under your spouse's health insurance policy.

Remember, USCIS (and London specifically) is only requesting coverage in order to *issue* the visa... once the visa is issued, they don't care whether or not that coverage continues.

Having health insurance coverage, while always a good idea, is *not* a prerequisite for entering the US.

Ian

chrisncarla

Thanks for the information on the insurance we will make sure that we have this when we go for interview.