SJ1

Hi,
I’m British and married to a US citizen, expecting a green card in the next three or four months. I will then be completing a PhD thesis in the USA for my university in England. It’s a bit complicated. So anyway, my income will be low until I complete my PhD. My wife has health insurance through work, but I will need to get separate health insurance. I have no idea how much I should budget for. I’ve heard various things, from $200 per month to $500 per month. Can anyone please give me some advice on this, and what is a realistic estimate? Or any suggestions of companies to contact?
Thanks in advance.

Michael

If you can't get on your wife's employer provided health insurance policy, then you should be eligible to use the "Affordable Health Care Act" exchanges. Since you didn't indicate which state/city you'll be living at, the following link are for the prices for California exchanges. Use zip code 95112 to get an approximate estimate of the cost. Other states should have similar prices. Although normally the whole family is insured through the exchanges, I think you should be able to apply by yourself and use high income (above 400% of the poverty level) and indicate 1 person as being insured so that it won't confuse the progam and indicate you are eligible for a government subsidy. There are four plans (bronze, silver, gold, and platinum) depening on what type of coverage you want and hiow much you want to spend.

Use the "Shop & Compare" tool to get the prices.

https://www.coveredca.com/

SJ1

Thank you very much. I'll take a look.
Oh, we'll be living in New York City.
Thanks again

Michael

The following is the link to the New York exchanges but you have to create an account to get the prices. Therefore the California exhanges are easier to get an estimate.

https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/

Bob

Why can't you get on the missus' insurance? Would be your best option.

penguinsix

Best choice: get on your wife's policy.
Second best choice: see if your university has a policy for students / faculty (most do). They are often quite cheap.
Third option: Look into the exchanges and see what price you are quoted.

Ozzidoc

Remember the phrase "creditable cover", which is what the NHS has provided you to date.

ie On arrival in the USA, it is not as though you have never had health insurance as the NHS is a recognised insurer.

rpjs

Does "creditable cover" even have any meaning now that the no refusals for pre-existing conditions part of ACA is in force?

bewildering

Please let us know how it goes for the insurance search. I have heard contradictory stories about the exchanges, depending entirely on the political affiliation of the person applying.
This tool might help give you an idea about cost
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013...our-calculator