Elvira

Since we get regular questions on how to get health insurance in the US, I thought folks here might be interested in this series of articles in Consumer Reports (click on the various links on the left of the main article):

http://www.consumerreports.org/healt...surance-ov.htm

There is also an interesting discussion of the issues at the US Motley Fool:

http://boards.fool.com/Message.asp?m...sort=whole#top

megalaser

I have been in the US for 2 months and have called both BlueCross Blue Sheild and Aetna and both of them told me that they cannot provide any health cover for somebody who has been in the US for less than six months. The only option I found were 'immigration' type travel insurance policies such as the AIG care one but these are not real health care plans and only offer very limited cover. Do you happen to know of any major US health insurance companies that will accept a 'new immigrant' (here less than 6 months) for a healthcare plan that has similar feature sets to those enjoyed by regular American folk? Or am I at the mercy of one of these expensive 'immigrant' travel type policies with the very limited accident and sickness coverage. Many Thanks

Manc

6 month policy.
http://www.assuranthealth.com/corp/a...alth-insurance

megalaser

Thanks for that, it's worth considering, I see there is no co-pay or long term benefits in the case of disability but it's certainly way better than having no cover until I meet the 6 month US resident status of other plans.

penguinsix

Have you tried here?

https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/

BritishGuy36

I took out one of those with this company when I arrived. Didn't have to use it so can't say anything about claiming etc. What I will say is that it is VERY hard to get hold of a human on the phone - unless you ring the sales line - but for anything else they refer you to another number - which is an infuriating automated phone system that doesn't understand British accents.

The Horticulturalist

try sevencorners for temporary insurance.

Manc

then you want disability insurance not health insurance mate.

Manc

assurant works with State Farm.

if you want to speak with someone, try a State Farm agent.......

megalaser

Co-Pay is a health insurance component . . . . .

Manc

that's why I just quoted your bit about disability........ 99% of all health insurance plans don't insure againt disability. and if they do, it's a rider that is added to the policy and not the norm.

megalaser

OK thanks, I will look into the Assurant, I couldn't see anything on the temporary plans page about having to be in the US for six months ect

Bill_S

Quite right, and it's usually a very expensive add-on.

BritishGuy36

Correct - in fact I arranged a temporary plan with them over the phone from the UK about 10 days before I landed in the US. As long as you can give them a mailing address of where you will be they should cover you.

lansbury

I know things can differ from State to State but when I came over we arranged my health insurance with Blue Cross/Blue Shield before I left England. They covered me from the moment I got off the plane.

If it makes a difference, and I don't know why it should, we arranged it through an agent and not direct with the company.