BigBoss1984

So I'm moving over to the USA in May, and I signed up to healthcare.gov this morning - not because I plan on getting an Obamacare plan or anything, but merely wanted to use it as a comparison tool to check for coverage in my area - because currently IBX are the only ones who appear to offer coverage.

Anyways, it turns out that after I signed up, entered my personal information, including the state of PA, I couldn't proceed any further because to view the plans you have to send off an application form - which I can't do as I don't have an SSN right now or anything. My question is, does anyone else know of any health insurance comparison providers?

As an afterthought, man does the healthcare.gov website need a debugging phase or two!

tom169

Does your soon-to-be spouse work and eligible for healthcare though that?

It'll almost definitely be cheaper than the marketplace.

For comparison I'd try googling your state plus healthcare marketplace and seeing what pops up.

BigBoss1984

Right now she's still in college, but once she graduates she's looking to get into teaching - but for the time being, I'm just looking for my own coverage

tom169

OK just edited my post.

Try check your state's healthcare website. You might get more luck there.

BigBoss1984

Awesome, thank you for your response!

MidAtlantic

Google health care providers in (State) or go to the State's Insurance Commissioner page to find what providers operate in your state. Then you can normally get info and prices on their websites.

The Moose

It must vary from state to state because in Florida you don't need a SSN to buy coverage. Which state are you moving to?

BigBoss1984

Interesting! I'm moving to Pennsylvania!

The Moose

Good luck with the move!

(and yes, it needs a lot of debugging!!!)

Sheepdip

My daughter used it without any problems. Had to prove that she was here legally (copy of GC) that was all. It was still cheaper with slightly better coverage than adding her to my company insurance family plan.

scrubbedexpat099

You have to be resident in the State to buy through the Exchange, you do not need a SSN to buy Medical Insurance, just a thing that is normally used as most people have it. The Exchange will give you an idea on cost.

If you she gets cover through her College it is likely to be a better bet to add you to that.

BigBoss1984

Thanks for this. So you think I should go ahead and try to submit an application on the exchange, as you said, to get an idea on cost? I assume you can't view the various health plans until after the application is submitted

scrubbedexpat099

No idea how it looks in the State you are looking at, I looked at the Colorado one some time back and you could get a quote by putting in the basics, address, age, gender and smoking.

The one thing I have noticed is that there are fewer and fewer options, yet again in Colorado there is no competition in large parts of the State, only one Insurer.

BigBoss1984

Right, that's pretty much how it is for my area of PA too - one insurer that has a complete monopoly over several counties. Makes you wonder how sustainable it all is long term

scrubbedexpat099

It was never designed to be sustainable, and the situation is getting worse.

It was a nasty fudge as will no doubt whatever Trump ends up with, I nearly said in mind, but not sure anything is in mind.