Pregnant - Which Health insurance is better for me?

[70123 0]

Hello everybody.

I am an old reader of visajourney, but it's my first question in this forum.

Well, I came to USA 5 months ago under CR-1 visa (i'm a green card holder).

I took the pregnancy test and it's positive so, now i want to see a doctor (I'm impatient coz it's my first pregnancy). The problem is that my husband has just started a new job and his health insurance will start by the second half of next month (January) or may be few days later (with the process).

So my question is:

As a Permanent Resident (of 5 months), am I eligible/qualified for Medicaid ??... What do you suggest me?

Many thanks in advance and Happy Holiday Season for All

[AUBGER 0]

Hello everybody.

I am an old reader of visajourney, but it's my first question in this forum.

Well, I came to USA 5 months ago under CR-1 visa (i'm a green card holder).

I took the pregnancy test and it's positive so, now i want to see a doctor (I'm impatient coz it's my first pregnancy). The problem is that my husband has just started a new job and his health insurance will start by the second half of next month (January) or may be few days later (with the process).

So my question is:

As a Permanent Resident (of 5 months), am I eligible/qualified for Medicaid ??... What do you suggest me?

Many thanks in advance and Happy Holiday Season for All

Hey there! Congrats on your pregnancy.

Well...I am not even a Green Card holder yet and I am under my husband's medical insurance. I have life, medical and dental coverage from the plant he's working at. I would believe the same would be with you but all the companies are different.

[Mononoke28 134]

He needs to check with his Human Resources rep to find out if his insurance will cover pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy. In most cases they do, which means you should be covered.

Diana

[70123 0]

Thank you for your answers.

Well, since he just started this new job, his health insurance will start after his 2nd month.

I'll tell him to check in the HR if it's possible to cover pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy... I hope so!

Meanwhile, can anybody tell me if a Green-Card Holder (5 months) can qualify for Medicaid ??

Thanks again.

[Nessa 23]

100 years ago women would never see a doctor and have kids at home. Why is it a problem for you to wait another half month? If you really need to go to a doctor before that, just pay for it.

[kalina 0]

Thank you for your answers.

Well, since he just started this new job, his health insurance will start after his 2nd month.

I'll tell him to check in the HR if it's possible to cover pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy... I hope so!

Meanwhile, can anybody tell me if a Green-Card Holder (5 months) can qualify for Medicaid ??

Thanks again.

I think that it depends on the state where you live. You have to check with the Health Department of your county. They will give you information. In some states there are programs which cover prenatal visits for women without insurance.

Check with them and go to visit a doctor as soon as possible. When I was pregnant I was eager to go to prenatal visits to see that everything is normal.

[stinger157 0]

Thank you for your answers.

Well, since he just started this new job, his health insurance will start after his 2nd month.

I'll tell him to check in the HR if it's possible to cover pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy... I hope so!

Meanwhile, can anybody tell me if a Green-Card Holder (5 months) can qualify for Medicaid ??

Thanks again.

I think that it depends on the state where you live. You have to check with the Health Department of your county. They will give you information. In some states there are programs which cover prenatal visits for women without insurance.

Check with them and go to visit a doctor as soon as possible. When I was pregnant I was eager to go to prenatal visits to see that everything is normal.

You should be eligible for Medicaid. But - like with any other state or federal sponsored program the state or federal government can charge your husband for the expenses they covered. They might want to have their money back.

So, it makes no difference if you pay for it yourself, use Medicaid and get charged later or if you just wait until your husband and you are covered by his insurance through his new employer.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Hello everybody.

I am an old reader of visajourney, but it's my first question in this forum.

Well, I came to USA 5 months ago under CR-1 visa (i'm a green card holder).

I took the pregnancy test and it's positive so, now i want to see a doctor (I'm impatient coz it's my first pregnancy). The problem is that my husband has just started a new job and his health insurance will start by the second half of next month (January) or may be few days later (with the process).

So my question is:

As a Permanent Resident (of 5 months), am I eligible/qualified for Medicaid ??... What do you suggest me?

Many thanks in advance and Happy Holiday Season for All

Hi 70123,

When my husband added me to his health insurance, it also took 1 month for the coverage to "kick in", buuuut, once enrolled, the coverage became retroactive to the day we got married (so if something would have happened between the day we got married and the day I got my card, we were considered covered, and could have asked for a reimbursement). You might want to check if you are in a similar situation (where the "official" coverage starts on mid jan, but the coverage is retroactive to his first day at the company).

If you are not covered by your current insurance, you might want to consider signing up temporarily with an insurance that covers maternity as a pre-existing condition. I know there are a few companies that offer this type of plans, so it's just a matter of shopping around for the one that's right for you.

Good luck!

Saludos,

Caro

[chispas 0]

You have several choices. One of the many choices, is to find a doctor who will be in the plan your husband chose and let them know your situation. Perhaps they can adjust the prenatal fee since you are currently uninsured. The other thing is to find a women's clinic in your area. I am not sure, but you may want to check out a place like planned parenthood who has a sliding fee for their patients

[Mags 112]

You should be eligible for Medicaid. But - like with any other state or federal sponsored program the state or federal government can charge your husband for the expenses they covered. They might want to have their money back.

So, it makes no difference if you pay for it yourself, use Medicaid and get charged later or if you just wait until your husband and you are covered by his insurance through his new employer.

Nope, you can claim Medicaid without it being claimed back by the goverment (if you are eligible, of course). It isn't one of the things that is considered a public charge by USCIS

[Alt name 1]

Unfortunately, and this applies to all of us, use of public programs may trigger a requirement for your husband to reimburse them. Remember all those support agreements/contracts/guarantees that you would not become a public charge? Best thing to do, and a suggestion only, is to wait a few days, allow insurance to kick in, or as was suggested earlier, just visit a doctor and pay up front (ouchie-just had a wallet cramp).

Pregnancies are generally not considered pre-existing conditions.

[athena_ny 1]

Unfortunately, and this applies to all of us, use of public programs may trigger a requirement for your husband to reimburse them. Remember all those support agreements/contracts/guarantees that you would not become a public charge? Best thing to do, and a suggestion only, is to wait a few days, allow insurance to kick in, or as was suggested earlier, just visit a doctor and pay up front (ouchie-just had a wallet cramp).

Pregnancies are generally not considered pre-existing conditions.

As Mags said, Medicaid is not considered a public charge.

Though I do agree with your advice, since it's kind of a waste of time to go through all you need to do to get on Medicaid if you'll have insurance in less than a month anyway.

Doesn't sound like the OP would be more than 3 months along - it can wait a few weeks. Hell, by the time you'll get in to a doctor, the OP would probably have insurance anyway.

[70123 0]

Many thanks to all.

Well, my husband checked with his Human Resources rep. to find out if his insurance will cover pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy. Their answer was "yes", in condition that the pregnancy has occured after his hiring date (which was mid-november). Well, I'm not sure about the exact day of my pregnancy but my calculation assumes that it could be btw (mid-october and mid-november).

Can the fast-track in an Emergency Department help me find out?

I can't wait to see a doctor but at the same time we want to think wisely about the insurance choice

[Mononoke28 134]

Pregnancies are usually covered even if you got pregnant before his hiring date. The insurance company itself will be able to let you know if they can cover your pregnancy or not, which more than likely will be covered. In the mean time you can do as others suggested and make an appointment with places like Planned Parenthood to make sure everything is in order, it should run you between $60-$100 depending on the kind of tests they do on you that day.

Diana

[awaterlily 0]

Congrats!

You certainly can get medicaid if your income qualifying . Although, according to immigration, the dept. of human service (medicaid) has the option and right to collect reimbursement from your immigration sponsor. But, I don't know how likely they are to enforce it. I have a friend that petitioned their elderly mother to come to the US. Once here, she got social security, food stamps and medicaid/medicare, which paid to have her eye cateracts removed by laser treatment and extensive dental work. The gov didn't ask for reimbursement.

If that doesn't work, if income qualifying, your local hospital may offer some sort of sliding fee or free care through an affiliated medical office or clinic. Their income guidelines are generally higher than medicaid.

good luck!

Hello everybody.

I am an old reader of visajourney, but it's my first question in this forum.

Well, I came to USA 5 months ago under CR-1 visa (i'm a green card holder).

I took the pregnancy test and it's positive so, now i want to see a doctor (I'm impatient coz it's my first pregnancy). The problem is that my husband has just started a new job and his health insurance will start by the second half of next month (January) or may be few days later (with the process).

So my question is:

As a Permanent Resident (of 5 months), am I eligible/qualified for Medicaid ??... What do you suggest me?

Many thanks in advance and Happy Holiday Season for All