SanDiegogirl

Since the OP is not a citizen of the US I don't believe he qualifies for Medical Medi-Cal (the Californian option for Medicaid):-

Do I qualify for Medi-Cal benefits?

IF YOU ARE ENROLLED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS, YOU CAN GET MEDI-CAL:

SSI/SSP
CalWorks (AFDC)
Refugee Assistance
Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

Moonshadow_Girl

I was referring to insurance for his children through Healthy Families (which is related to Medi-Cal), and I indicated that I wasn't sure if his children were U.S. citizens. Either way, Geoff has said he makes too much, but there was a phone number listed on the website to call for other options for those that make above the maximum allowed.

GeoffM

Correct but each person has to work at least 20 hours a week - I don't think I could even pretend that my wife works that much for me, even if I drop my hours to 20 (I don't think 2 part timers qualify, one must be a full timer).

I was led to believe, or at least thought I understood, that going via the IGDA would give the same benefits as employment-based policies. But clearly not!

GeoffM

I did see that but haven't called yet - I'm a little skeptical of any success getting anywhere!

I've emailed 3 local agents, none of whom have answered their phones, hopefully get some kind of response tomorrow.

GeoffM

Oh, and add the 62-day issue to my problems... that's looming on the horizon as it's taken over a month to get this far.

Jerseygirl

Sorry you're having to go through all this Geoff. This thread confirms what we say to new members who want to move or move their aged parents to the US.

GeoffM

It's annoying as I thought I had it all in hand! Quoted before I left the UK, they knew the circumstances. Filled out the form (13 pages) soon after arrival, sent off. Some time later, "sorry, we sent you last year's form by mistake, please fill in the new 15 page form". Filled in and sent off. Two weeks later, this.

Jerseygirl

Grrrr...and no one is accountable and you suffer the consequences.

Giantaxe

Unfortunately "quoted" means essentially nothing until you've applied and a policy has been underwritten.

GeoffM

Quoted was probably the wrong word - I was expecting the rates to go up once they saw our applications but was led to believe they would nevertheless be accepted under group policies.

I also don't qualify for PCIP as I had foreign country coverage (ie NHS) within the last 6 months. The MRMIP has a waitlist with 27 people currently but I've no idea what the wait time is. Enrollment 15-20 days.

lansbury

My wife did it all. I think she just search Google for agents and emailed them for quotes. Then spoke with a couple on the phone.

She was turned down as we knew she would be (diabetic), but the day we arrived the agent help her enroll in Oregon Medical Insurance Pool, which is run by Blue Cross/Blue Shield for the State as a high risk pool.

nun

Access and cost of medical insurance varies greatly between the states. Anyone moving to the US who does not have access to employer sponsored health insurance must familiarize themselves with the private and state insurance available, or not as the case may be.

Bob

The problem with the IGDA cover, they had to abide by local state laws to get it, which meant dolling out cover via a local state broker.

This meant that while you could get a group rate, all the other things depended on the state and isn't easy for them to know about unless they obviously dealt with a lot of people in that state. Surprised CA didn't have more people using it tbh though.

Also to add, apart from the medical insurance thing, the IGDA is unfortunately as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Duncan Roberts

The most solid option you have is to go find a small business association and see if their brokers can get you an employer policy for you that would cover your family as well. They might be able to, they might not but figure it taking a month or so.

On the cost for the kids, what you quoted doesn't seem terribly bad. Kids are high risk.

SanDiegogirl

You say that you were denied individual coverage because you could not complete the forms from the UK.

Have you tried applying again since being in the US?

Even though you have some pre-conditions (you eye operation) isn't it worth a try again?