Health insurance in the US

[Calikitkat 16]

Sorry found the topic in general discussions

Edited August 24, 2014 by anapetcu

[Boiler 43,434]

You posted in the UK forum.

I am not sure exactly what you mean, but you buy it, if you can get it on the back of your partners cover that would be good.

[Al422 221]

Many employers offer it to the spouse of their employee as a free or low cost benefit so see if your US fiance has this benefit at work before you pay for your own.

[Calikitkat 16]

Thank you for the answers! They are more straightforward then the ones in the General discussion area. Could I ask you do we have the right to Obamacare as fiancees?

[Boiler 43,434]

Not until you file to adjust.

[Calikitkat 16]

Thank you for the prompt reply!

[nobbie 105]

The next open enrollment period is Nov to March i think, other than that you have to have a "life event" such as marriage, or change in immigration status like becoming an LPR. Dont let them tell you otherwise, I have had thia arguement ofn the phone with providers and they have had to come back to me and say "you were right".

You can still get health insurance and whether its via Obamacare or not it's very expensive, for the 2 of us it's around $1000/ month. Plus co pays plus co insurances plus prescription charges etc etc

[Calikitkat 16]

Posted below

Edited August 26, 2014 by anapetcu

[Calikitkat 16]

Thanks for your reply nobbie! So I can apply for Obamacare right after marriage? Before applying for AOS?

And is Obamacare the cheapest way to go?

Also how does it work with the Social Security Number? On the general discussion forum some people say you can get it as soon as you get to the US. Others say when you get your EAD. Do you know more about this?

[Boiler 43,434]

SSN when you arrive.

Obamacare you have to file to adjust first.

Cheapest option is if somebody else is paying, usually an Employer.

Edited August 26, 2014 by Boiler

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thanks for your reply nobbie! So I can apply for Obamacare right after marriage? Before applying for AOS?

And is Obamacare the cheapest way to go?

Also how does it work with the Social Security Number? On the general discussion forum some people say you can get it as soon as you get to the US. Others say when you get your EAD. Do you know more about this?

Obamacare does not insure you. It is not a national insurance. It is a set of regulations medical insurers and individuals follow. People pick a private insurance company and level of coverage they want. Do you want to pay your first $5000 each year out of your pocket before insurance starts paying? Or do you want to pay only $200 up front each year? You will pay more to make the second choice. People with low income might get some government money to help them afford their premiums. Obamacare gives our family nothing but extremely high premiums. But we are thrilled to help pay for new immigrants whose US spouses can't really afford to support them.

[nobbie 105]

I got my SSN just after I got to the US, After marriage as it happens but before filing for AoS, there was only 10 days between those events and that was because of govt shutdown. EAD has nothing to do with it.

Health insurance is expensive whatever way you cut it, all Obamacare does is make health insurance cover you regardless of previous health issues, does not make it cheaper, When you start looking in to it you will wish you were back in Europe. You can pay $500/ month and still have $6000 of out of pocket costs easily so be prepared to get shafted. Remember the health service in the US is profit driven.

[Calikitkat 16]

Thanks a lot for the replies guys! My plan is to get a job asap to have employer cover it. But if my husband's employer pays for his, would they also cover me at lower cost? In London I worked for Marriott and they do have that option.

[Boiler 43,434]

Different answer for different Employers.