My wife is pregnant!!!!

[Tuanv 2]

I spoke with the HR department at my new job and they said that my wife should be covered without any problem. But there is always a concern. I would rather apply for state health insurance instead. I don't think she is eligible though, right?

[Jerry & Fiona 1]

Congratulations. We just found out last night that my wife is pregnant also. No insurance through my job and my wife isn't working. So, I need to sort this out also quickly.

[Dan_P 5]

Congratulations. We just found out last night that my wife is pregnant also. No insurance through my job and my wife isn't working. So, I need to sort this out also quickly.

Congratulations!

Be careful, since she doesn't have insurance now, they could consider that to be a precondition, and potentially not cover it. Be very careful.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I spoke with the HR department at my new job and they said that my wife should be covered without any problem. But there is always a concern. I would rather apply for state health insurance instead. I don't think she is eligible though, right?

If you're talking about Medicaid, then yes - she's eligible. Actually, it's the CHILD that's eligible. Immigrants generally aren't eligible for any means-tested public benefits until they've been an LPR for five years, but there's a huge exception for children and pregnant mothers.

The problem is that you'll be on the hook to reimburse the state for the costs. Remember the affidavit of support?

Cobra is your best bet. It's expensive, but not as expensive as prenatal and delivery.

[ScottThuy 140]

What? Another immigrant putting burden on the Govt's assistance roll? Thank God this one is LEGAL.

Surprised me with this DQ.. I expected a post from you asking if he was the father....

[VinceN 25]

What? Another immigrant putting burden on the Govt's assistance roll? Thank God this one is LEGAL.

[Tuanv 2]

Congratulations!

Be careful, since she doesn't have insurance now, they could consider that to be a precondition, and potentially not cover it. Be very careful.

I heard it is extremely difficult to get private health insurance if someone is pregnant. However, if Dan P can switch job and work for a large company, he can get coverage for his wife. In fact, health insurance companies are not allowed to ask health question or something like that for group plan.

Edited November 7, 2011 by Tuanv

[Dan_P 5]

I heard it is extremely difficult to get private health insurance if someone is pregnant. However, if Dan P can switch job and work for a large company, he can get coverage for his wife. In fact, health insurance companies are not allowed to ask health question or something like that for group plan.

My employer does cover my wife, but, they require me to add her to my health insurance within 60 days of marriage. I tried to ask them since my wife wasn't in the USA, i did cr1, they said in essence, tough luck. After 60 days marriage, only way to add my wife is through open enrollment, which is only once a year, so potentially, i could be out of health insurance for my wife for over a year. Luckily, my wife came during open enrollment, so it would only be a few months. I asked before and my employer said I couldn't add my wife without ssn, and you can't get an ssn until you are in the states. Antonio her hr said that I could add without ssn, but that I would need to provide later.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience, hopefully, it will help others. But keep in mind, rules can vary depending on employer.

[Tuanv 2]

My employer does cover my wife, but, they require me to add her to my health insurance within 60 days of marriage. I tried to ask them since my wife wasn't in the USA, i did cr1, they said in essence, tough luck. After 60 days marriage, only way to add my wife is through open enrollment, which is only once a year, so potentially, i could be out of health insurance for my wife for over a year. Luckily, my wife came during open enrollment, so it would only be a few months. I asked before and my employer said I couldn't add my wife without ssn, and you can't get an ssn until you are in the states. Antonio her hr said that I could add without ssn, but that I would need to provide later.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience, hopefully, it will help others. But keep in mind, rules can vary depending on employer.

I think you cannot get SSN without a green card, so that would add about a couple more weeks. I am little confused. Is your wife here? You used past tenses so I am not sure.

[VinceN 25]

I think you cannot get SSN without a green card, so that would add about a couple more weeks. I am little confused. Is your wife here? You used past tenses so I am not sure.

This is false, my wife got her snn within couple of month of arriving, she doesn't have her green card yet.

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

What? Another immigrant putting burden on the Govt's assistance roll? Thank God this one is LEGAL.

It's call goverment bailout... hihihi..

anyway.. congrats..

[Tuanv 2]

I actually got healthcare coverage right away with my new job because I was an old employee from this employer. Right now, i am paying $240 a month which is way cheaper than I expected!

[BinhJerome 14]

Hi guys,

I am so happy, excited, and...nervous at the same time that my wife is pregnant. I am going to be a father at 25! But the thing that concern me is that her health insurance is going to be cut off because I am going to quit my job tomorrow. I am going to start a new job in 2-3 weeks but am not sure what to do get her cover for 3 months until I am eligible to buy health insurance at my new job. I can buy health insurance myself for 3 months then cancel it, right? It is even necessary to buy health insurance for the next three months? She is one month pregnant, so she is not going to need a lot medical attention, right?

Many insurances will NOT cover pregnancy for the first 8 to 12 months of a new policy, in this case you need to look into extending your existing coverage throughout the pregnancy. Having babies are not cheap! So as Anh Map said make sure you have good answers before you let your current policy expire. BTW congrats!

[luckytxn 2,263]

I actually got healthcare coverage right away with my new job because I was an old employee from this employer. Right now, i am paying $240 a month which is way cheaper than I expected!

Wow. Nice. I pay about 100 dollars a week for us both.