Medical Insurance

[brianclark4 0]

I am thinking of emigrating to the US, to be with my partner, but not sure how to go about obtaining medical insurance

[lost_at_sea 995]

I am thinking of emigrating to the US, to be with my partner, but not sure how to go about obtaining medical insurance

If your partner's insurance is good, he/she'll be able to add you as a dependant (I've just been added to my husband's US insurance via his employer, despite the fact we haven't moved back to the US yet, for example).

Insurance in the USA is crazy. Most people obtain it through their employment because that's traditionally the only way people have found it to be affordable (as companies are able insure as a pool), otherwise you have to buy it privately through any number of suppliers (google "medical insurance USA") which is much more costly.

Soon, Obamacare will kick in making it more affordable for those not being insured through their employers or as dependants (or often, uninsurable entirely due to medical history) as they treat those without insurance options as their own local pool (again, suggest a google). http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Health/HealthInsurance.shtml

This article is a little out of date, but should give you an impression of the system there: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/expathealth/8134945/Expat-guide-to-the-USA-health-care.html

Edited May 20, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Noel194 53]

There are many companies that offer temporary health insurance for new immigrants. I puchased one for my K1 until we were married and then added her to my employer policy. You can use temporary health insurance for up to 1 year with most companies and then you can get employer health insurance or buy an individual policy from most insurance company websites. I found that individual company policies required prior insurance for acceptance but that is about to change under the new law.