Medical insurance for K-1 (before marriage).

[AMZJ 60]

My fiance and I recently started discussing about medical insurance for me. My daughter isn't an issue as she is a US citizen and so will be eligible for state insurance. I however am not. A lot of people suggested I'd be eligible for Obamacare? This will only be for a few months since my fiance can put me on his work insurance as soon as we are married (and my daughter can go on his too). So I'm looking for a short term solution/ links to things I could use that would be possible with my K-1 visa. Do I need my SSN for it? Since I don't have one yet, I don't want to risk having a fine for not having insurance after I move!

Thanks.

[Umka36 781]

My understanding is that you wouldn't qualify for ACA until you get married, file for adjustment of status, and receive the I-797 -Notice of Action letter. Therefore there is no ACA penalty.

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/coverage/

My suggestion is to get married ASAP (if you don't want any lapse in medical coverage when you arrive), and have your spouse include you in in his health insurance plan.

If I'm wrong, someone will correct me.

[3rd 84]

If it's only a few months until you can get on his insurance, then don't sweat it. I've been here over a year now and we only just got a joint plan and I had no use for medical care in that time. Any small thing I did need help with I used an over-the-phone service and even managed to get money off the medication I was prescribed. It's definitely a change from the NHS, but try not to fret about it. A couple of months will be fine unless you have an ongoing condition which you need medication/care for.

[AMZJ 60]

I shouldn't, I can hopefully get enough asthma medication before I leave. I'll discuss it with my fiance.

[yuna628 9,527]

Once you apply to adjust your status you can obtain insurance through the ACA (or state exchange if the state has one available). You'll be able to obtain your SSN shortly after your arrival to the US and even before your marriage, so that is typically not an issue provided there aren't any complications. In general providing an SSN to an insurance company is not needed, but the federal exchange may request it. Other options is to purchase a private plan that is available in your state after your marriage. That's what I did for my husband.

If it's only a few months wait before your husband adds you to his insurance it may be better to wait unless there is a pressing medical need. There is an issue of a tax penalty but the issue can be difficult to answer in certain situations and may or may not apply - if it did it would not be the full amount since you would not be waiting a long time to obtain insurance. Temporary insurances that are typically marketed toward visitors and immigrants are not federally compliant and would not protect you from a penalty and often do not protect the patient when medical issues arise without difficulty.

Edited February 12, 2016 by yuna628

[tomyka81 95]

If your husband has insurance through his job, marriage may be a qualifying life even to add a spouse without waiting until open season. Also some insurances cover a fiance 30 days before marriage. Review your husbands statement of benefit or call the insurance company to ask.

[AMZJ 60]

If your husband has insurance through his job, marriage may be a qualifying life even to add a spouse without waiting until open season. Also some insurances cover a fiance 30 days before marriage. Review your husbands statement of benefit or call the insurance company to ask.

He did already ask at work. He can add me after we are married. Thank you for the info though I do have savings so if I did need to go to the doctor I could cover costs. But it's something I will definitely discuss with him. Obviously I can't use my travel insurance. Which expires in July anyway.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Most doctors will cut you a deal if you say you have no insurance. They will charge you less if you are paying cash, than what they would bill the insurance.

[AMZJ 60]

Most doctors will cut you a deal if you say you have no insurance. They will charge you less if you are paying cash, than what they would bill the insurance.

I didn't know that. Last time I went to the doctor (in the summer) I had to pay $130 and then $4 for meds but my insurance wouldn't cover it because it was below my amount.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I didn't know that. Last time I went to the doctor (in the summer) I had to pay $130 and then $4 for meds but my insurance wouldn't cover it because it was below my amount.

You had insurance. I am talking about people with none. The visit might have been charged at $250, but your insurance had negotiated for a better rate with the doctor. So that's all he could expect from you. If you haven't met your deductible with the insurance company, you pay for everything until you reach the deductible. But you don't have to pay more than the negotiated rate.

So what if a no insurance person walks in? Nobody has negotiated a rate. The charge is $250. Often they will offer a discount off that full rate if you have no insurance and are paying that day or within 30 days.

[AMZJ 60]

You had insurance. I am talking about people with none. The visit might have been charged at $250, but your insurance had negotiated for a better rate with the doctor. So that's all he could expect from you. If you haven't met your deductible with the insurance company, you pay for everything until you reach the deductible. But you don't have to pay more than the negotiated rate.

So what if a no insurance person walks in? Nobody has negotiated a rate. The charge is $250. Often they will offer a discount off that full rate if you have no insurance and are paying that day or within 30 days.

No they had me pay it upfront because it was travel insurance. They never covered it I did. But it's definitely good info to know for future reference. Thank you

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

No they had me pay it upfront because it was travel insurance. They never covered it I did. But it's definitely good info to know for future reference. Thank you

I see...travel insurance. I have never had travel insurance so don't know anything about their terms of reimbursement.

[AMZJ 60]

I see...travel insurance. I have never had travel insurance so don't know anything about their terms of reimbursement.

Had to be over a set amount for them to pay part of it. But it wasn't so never bothered filing a claim.

[optlh0 19]

A lot of companies insurance plans will now cover 'domestic partners'. The general description of a domestic partner would be someone you're in a relationship with, and living with, but not married to. When my wife arrived in the USA she was still my fiance. I was able to sign her up on my insurance plan as a domestic partner. She had to have a social security number first, and I needed to send my company an affidavit that we are in a committed relationship and living together. That was it.

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

Honestly, your best course of action if you have an immediate need to be covered by a health insurance policy upon entering the US (meds, existing problems, ect...) is to go straight to a Justice of the Peace and get married. Then hold your Ceremony for the family to attend at your pre-arranged date.