nedb

I've just moved to New York for ten months on a journalism visa, and I'd like to get health insurance. The thing is, I'm in good health, I haven't been to a doctor since I was a teenager, and if I contract something chronic I'll fly back to the UK and use the NHS, so I'm not very likely to make a claim – I just want it in case I'm hit by a car or my appendix bursts. Does there exist a cheap plan which only covers major one-off emergencies? If not, what's my next best option? Really grateful for any advice.

ukintexas

When I first moved over I didn't have company coverage so I went with a company called IMG - if you Google them I'm sure you'll find them. I had an "emergency" coverage for the sort of things you're thinking about.

A word of caution though - my fit and healthy husband had a completely out of the blue brain hemorrhage (from which he fully recovered), in 2008 and if we hadn't had proper insurance for it we would have been bankrupt - bills cost over $300,000. Sometimes there's not time to get back on a plane for these things!

Have fun in NY!

christmasoompa

You can't actually do that - you're ineligible to use the NHS as you are no longer resident in the UK. And I've love to see how you'd get permission to fly if you 'contract something chronic'!

Bob

Errr....there's nothing decent, for anything seriously nasty in which you'd want that cover, well for affordable, they probably have a low limit or a high deductible. Or they'd just cancel the cover and refund you your premium if you're lucky.

Can't you get something through work? Shouldn't you have looked into this before hand?

nedb

I'm still legally resident in the UK – and that's true, if I get something infectious I won't be able to fly, but I'll be all right for... I don't know, lupus or gout or something.

I'm a novelist so I don't have an employer. Obviously I was aware before I got here that healthcare is a disaster in the US but it's not like that was going to put me off coming!

Is there really nothing decent? I'll look into IMG.

Duncan Roberts

You aren't resident of the UK by NHS rules. I think they drop you after 3 months. Even so, something major that you would be allowed to fly home with wild likely set you back a ton in diagnostics before being diagnosed, and non of that would be covered under a high deductible or emergency only plan. As for decent coverage, there is plenty. It'll just set you back well over a grand a month and would be comprehensive, not bare bones.

AmerLisa

http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/

Havnfun

I belive the maximum per claim is $100,000 but at least it is something!

https://www.inboundimmigrantinsurance.com/buy/

Keith S

My wife and I arrived a month ago as legal, resident aliens! Before we left I googled health insurance for new immigrants. Chose IMG. Got coverage to $500,000. $1000 deductible and 10% co-insurance to $5000. Cost was about $910 for 3 months. This gave us breathing space to check out long term insurance. Which reminds me I must get around to doing that soon.
There are different levels of coverage and cost could be cheaper, but we are 60 and 59, so went for the upper range.

md95065

Well, since it is only a temporary stay in the US, the OP could reasonably claim to have reestablished residence in the UK the moment they returned so I am not sure that there is an issue here ...

Bob

Last minute flight will likely cost thousands though, not to mention the cost of getting diagnosed with something in the US, that emergency hit by bus cover wouldn't cover for.

christmasoompa

We 'temporarily' stayed in Canada - hubby was still asked for utility bills to prove we were residing in the UK again after returning. Just flying back to the UK doesn't mean you are residing there, particularly if the intention is to just get free NHS treatment and then return to the US as soon as you are well enough!

Having said that, I don't think it would work on a practical level anyway - if you're ill enough to need hospital treatment, you're not going to be in a fit state to fly.

IPMI Specialist

Hi

You can speak to a local Health Insurance broker in the US or even one back in the UK. They can offer you best advice and check out a wide range of products to suit your need and budget. They shouldn't charge for this advice.

Good Luck

Marocco

If the OP is only spending 10 months in the US, then most likely he will still be "ordinarily resident" in the UK, and therefore eligible for NHS treatment.

Ozzidoc

Which visa is a journalism visa?