F1 Holder Questions (Pregnancy)

[ZachCo 0]

My wife and I just found out that we're pregnant last week, which is incredible, but...hit a speed bump. My wife is an F1 visa holder from China and has had insurance without interruption since she came here 3 years ago. A little while ago, when her medical insurance payment was due, she paid online, but the payment was sent twice somehow. The insurance company cancelled one of the payments and had her create a new account, which my wife set to take effect in August when school started back up. So, pregnant, insurance won't cover anything even though she's paid because the insurance hasn't kicked in.

I won't be eligible for insurance through my work until November, assuming I meet the minimum weekly hour average, and then could add her to the plan. Otherwise, she's maternally uninsured at the moment. We went to our local OBGYN and went their self-pay route, which was not too expensive and we were feeling pretty confident about being able to pay for it by ourselves. I then talked to my dad and he scared me with financial horror stories of pregnancy complications.

Anyone have any advice or is there any way to take advantage of government programs for an F1 holder? Would she be eligible for Medicaid in Kentucky, or if complications arose, for Emergency Medicaid. We are not in green card processing (because my Dad said it would look bad on his financial portfolio and we have noone else that can sponsor us.)

[mrsfrisbey 6]

first, congrats on the pregnancy! babies are sure blessing and why would it look bad on your dad's financial portfolio?

[Anh map 2,098]

Any US citizen or Green Card holder can be a joint sponsor. Does not have to be a family member.

Hate to tell you this, but Dad isn't being truthful with you about the impact on his financial portfolio.

[ZachCo 0]

Any US citizen or Green Card holder can be a joint sponsor. Does not have to be a family member.

Hate to tell you this, but Dad isn't being truthful with you about the impact on his financial portfolio.

He said that he would have to declare it as a $250,000 liability to be considered if he needed a loan from the bank or if they wanted to refinance their home. I was taking him at his word.

I've asked most of the family that are very, very willing to help us out, but for example, my grandparents didn't qualify as much of their funds are retirement and social security. I've asked a guy from work, offered to pay him $500, and he said yes, but has been jerking us around mostly. I'm basically out of people to ask as the wealthy side of the family is my Dad's side, which I'm sure he would try to scare them. He also views it as "we made our bed, so now we have to lay in it," in that regardless of how helpful it would be, and it would allow my wife to take off the semester to take care of the baby, around which I should graduate, he doesn't want to do it. This is the second year I've tried to get help from him on it after running out of options, and it was a no again, which is throwing a divide between my family and wife. My mom even asked me today with tears in her eyes if my wife would even want them to be involved in the baby's life since my dad has made this decision. He also sees it as having an even greater reason not to sponsor us since he "could" be responsible if my wife took emergency Medicaid.

This, though, is mostly about what we can do during pregnancy to help us financially, not to vent. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

[Bsze 50]

If she is a F1 visa holder and not a permanent resident, I don't think she's eligible for Medicaid in your state.

http://healthinsuranceinfo.net/getinsured/kentucky/financial-assistance/medicaid/

However, if she had a pending AOS, she might qualify. However, that would mean you guys need to find a co-sponsor and file ASAP.

Otherwise, she could wait till August when her insurance kicks in. It's not too far away and she's already paid for it.

[Anh map 2,098]

Sorry to hear that.

A sponsor does not have to set aside a sum of money. They have to meet the same income and/or asset requirements that you are held to a the petitioner/primary sponsor.

Your grandparents may well qualify as joint sponsors depending on their retirement income, etc. Just run the numbers on the I_864.

Best of luck.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Have you looked into WIC? It is not a means tested benefit and she should be able to use it because it's the USC baby that is benefiting from it. See here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/eligibilityrequirements.htm You'll see there's no residency requirements.

Your dad is.. lying for want of a better word. There is no affect to his income portfolio. He WOULD have to pay back any means tested benefits she tries to obtain though to the US government so I do understand him being uncomfortable with it.

Even with a GC she's still not eligible for means tested benefits, but yes it would be good that she could take time off.

I suggest you look into WIC and show your father that you're sincerely looking at ways for her to NOT use means tested benefits. Also, why can't your mother be a co-sponsor? People can use assets to qualify. How does your wife support herself currently? She can also use HER assets if she has them to qualify as well. There are ways.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I suggest you educate yourself about the requirements and responsibilities of the I-864 affidavit of support, and then try to educate your father. He may be lying, or he may be severely misinformed.

I also don't see why double paying should make your wife's insurance cut off for a few months. Sounds like you are getting jerked around on a few fronts, and it also sounds illegal on the part of the insurance company. Hasn't the "prior medical condition" rule been abolished with the new health care plan? How is she uninsured when she paid on time?

Sound like you need to study up on your rights. Good luck!

[Harsh_77 718]

You need to put your ducks in row. Seems there is lot of thing in your case that is not done in correct order.

So you decided to marry someone on F1, but had no means to make sure you would be able to file for AOS.

It seems your dad's side of the family is not very acceptable of the fact that you married to someone of your choice.

Your dad clearly does not want to support you guys thru the immigration process nor he wants to help you guys with the preg.

Double payment of insurance does not stop your policy, it seems your wife missed a payment or payment did not go thru and they had discontinued the coverage and now she would again be enrolled when the new semester begins.