Natters108

Moving to the US.

I will be applying for health insurance with my wife (US citizen).

She has been told that we can not apply for Obamacare until I receive my social security number. I am not sure how long this will take, I have heard various time frames from 10 days to 4 months.

I ticked the box on my visa application form for a social security number.

I have regular annual travel insurance from the UK, however I'm not sure if this will be valid as I will become a US permanent resident when I land.

My mother in law was involved in an accident last year and I was shocked by the health care bills that came through. Luckily she was insured.

I do not want to risk being in the US without adequate health insurance for any period of time.

Has anyone else found them self in this position?
Any advice appreciated.

Simon89

I'll be interested to hear the answers to this. As someone coming over on a K1, I've read that i could have 'alien' health insurance... but can I not just go on a plan with my wife (well when she is my wife when I get there and get married in October, all being well) or would we need to wait until the next 'marketplace' window for that?

username.exe

My SSN took about ten days to come through.
We bought travel insurance but I was pretty sure it would have been difficult getting the insurance company to pay out if anything happened.
In the end we just tried to be extra careful until the SSN turned up and then I bought a plan immediately.

sir_eccles

Being a new immigrant is a qualifying event so you don't have to wait until open enrollment. I believe this window is about 60 days.

Pulaski

If your wife has insurance through her company, getting married is a "qualifying event" for her to change her insurance mid-year. Later, if you find a job with medical insurance included, that is also a qualifying event that will allow her to drop you from her coverage mid-year.

BTW what is "alien health insurance"?

Simon89

Oh, okay, well that's good. She hasn't got it through her work, I'm pretty sure she has it independently through the health insurance provider Blue Cross Blue Shield. I'll put her on the case of contacting them to see what they do in this situation!

Well, it's probably not called that, more like new immigrants health insurance. Just something I read here: Health insurance plans for green card holders , permanent residents and new Immigrants to USA

uktoyank

most if not all health insurance has deductibles and copays so get used to taking your wallet when you go to see a doctor! they can even charge you for speaking to them on the phone!

Simon89

Like going to the dentists here haha

Disenchanted

Oh, you'll be right at home then, they charge for dentistry here too, only probably quite a bit more

Simon89

Oh I bet! Yes, if not young, old or poor you do have to pay even for checkups at the dentists so it won't be as shocking to have to cough up for other medical professionals, even if it will be more

Jerseygirl

I think you're in for a bit of a shock.

Pulaski

The offset to paying for health insurance and medical services is that you might save on taxes (income and VAT, though it is less likely you will save on property tax), and there are several ways to pay bona fide medical expenses from your pre-tax income. It isn't often mentioned here on BE, but unlike in the UK, there are still a good number of personal expenses that can be deducted from your gross income to reach your taxable income.

I save significantly more in taxes than I pay out in health insurance and medical expenses.

Simon89

At the end of the day it is what it is. You have to pay it so I'll have to pay it. Can't have any complaints.

robin1234

Because we leave it up to you to speak truth to power

Simon89

I'll have to ask you for some tips