Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

Oh I was just making an observation :p and knowing the way things work here, I don't think I have a month's time even :P

Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

They have actually already screwed you since you can't join now anyway until the next open enrollment. Even then, if you have any medical conditions they will almost certainly not be covered for 12 months because you have broken the continuous coverage criteria by not having insurance since March. You should pretty much raise hell to find out why the company has potentially cost you a ton of money.

Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

Thanks all, for your responses.

It's great to have all the feedback.

Sorry, I should have been more specific - my husband is self-employed so he has an individual plan. I'll have another look at Michigan's health policies and try to find someone neutral to ask about my needing to be resident for two years (it doesn't seem right or fair!)

Oh for the NHS! ;)

Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

Tell him to look for a local small business consortium. Usually they have some sort of program where they all band together and get group insurance plans rather than individual ones. The local one here is COSE http://www.cose.org/ something similar in your area is likely to exist.

Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

Okay - now all bets are off. Read the plan. Contact Michigan's regulatory agency for health insurance policies.

Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

So, was your husband a resident of Michigan for 2 years when his policy began? If not, maybe you have an way in right there. Immediately contact Michigan's Insurance Regulation agency, and find out if they have the legal ability to do this.

Also, make sure you understand what definition of 'resident' the insurance company is using. There are different definitions that different agencies use, and you need to make sure you understand what this policy is requiring. For example, the IRS's 'resident for tax purposes' definition is different from the USCIS definition of 'resident'..and each state may have a different definition of when you became a resident. Arm yourself with info, hon. I'm sorry you're having such a rough go of it.

Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

http://www.bcbsm.com/myblue/myblue_home.shtml

Didn't dig too far but couldn't see a residency requirement

Re: Problems Finding Health Insurance
 

Thanks again for all the tips :)

I checked out Duncan's suggestion of small business consortium which would be perfect, but it requires a certain percentage of income to come from the business to qualify (and this being Michigan, my husband isn't quite there yet).

Thanks sunflwrgrl13 for this: "make sure you understand what definition of 'resident' the insurance company is using" I'll check with them

and thanks lansbury, I'll have a look at Blue cross shield.

I think I'll post again what I discover / what the outcome is - might be useful for someone else in a similar situation :)