Asking for some advice about health insurance.

[MPGGPM 0]

I am expecting my wife will be getting her green card in a short time.....we're nearing the interview stage of the I-130 process. One topic that we have discussed and I would imagine is an important issue for just about everyone whose spouse has arrived in the USA (or will be soon). That is........what is a good health insurance option to use for my wife when she comes here? I obviously don't want to wait until the last minute to prepare for this. Having her covered as soon as possible is a very important matter for me.

What types of health insurance options do I have for my wife who , when she arrives here, will not have a job yet, and so will most likely be unemployed for a while?

I DO have good insurance from my own job, but from what I have discussed with them (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield), it might actually be more expensive for me to add my wife to my coverage than to have her apply separately. They told me I could consider enrolling her individually, and not as part of my own plan.

That is an option.

But, so far, those are the only options I am aware of at this time. To either enroll her individually with Blue Cross/Blue Shield......or to add her to my own plan (which I was told would probably be a more costly option).

I would like to know what "other" companies there are that could insure my wife when she arrives? What are some other options that I have for her that might perhaps be even more affordable? What have some of you done to insure your husband or wife when they arrive in the USA, until they can find employment of their own and use that coverage?

Thanks.

[bostonparis 0]

I am expecting my wife will be getting her green card in a short time.....we're nearing the interview stage of the I-130 process. One topic that we have discussed and I would imagine is an important issue for just about everyone whose spouse has arrived in the USA (or will be soon). That is........what is a good health insurance option to use for my wife when she comes here? I obviously don't want to wait until the last minute to prepare for this. Having her covered as soon as possible is a very important matter for me.

What types of health insurance options do I have for my wife who , when she arrives here, will not have a job yet, and so will most likely be unemployed for a while?

I DO have good insurance from my own job, but from what I have discussed with them (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield), it might actually be more expensive for me to add my wife to my coverage than to have her apply separately. They told me I could consider enrolling her individually, and not as part of my own plan.

That is an option.

But, so far, those are the only options I am aware of at this time. To either enroll her individually with Blue Cross/Blue Shield......or to add her to my own plan (which I was told would probably be a more costly option).

I would like to know what "other" companies there are that could insure my wife when she arrives? What are some other options that I have for her that might perhaps be even more affordable? What have some of you done to insure your husband or wife when they arrive in the USA, until they can find employment of their own and use that coverage?

Thanks.

I always thought that if you have health insurance coverage through work, that you could add your husband or wife to that policy - it's crazy that they're telling you it costs more. I would look into that - I have BCBS, and adding a spouse is only about $50 per month. Good luck!

[Muuuuah 0]

We have the same problem for myself and my son to be added to my husbands insurance at woprk would of cost him an extra $400 per month...so we are currently looking around for much cheaper quotes.

[Lansbury 19]

I am expecting my wife will be getting her green card in a short time.....we're nearing the interview stage of the I-130 process. One topic that we have discussed and I would imagine is an important issue for just about everyone whose spouse has arrived in the USA (or will be soon). That is........what is a good health insurance option to use for my wife when she comes here? I obviously don't want to wait until the last minute to prepare for this. Having her covered as soon as possible is a very important matter for me.

What types of health insurance options do I have for my wife who , when she arrives here, will not have a job yet, and so will most likely be unemployed for a while?

I DO have good insurance from my own job, but from what I have discussed with them (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield), it might actually be more expensive for me to add my wife to my coverage than to have her apply separately. They told me I could consider enrolling her individually, and not as part of my own plan.

That is an option.

But, so far, those are the only options I am aware of at this time. To either enroll her individually with Blue Cross/Blue Shield......or to add her to my own plan (which I was told would probably be a more costly option).

I would like to know what "other" companies there are that could insure my wife when she arrives? What are some other options that I have for her that might perhaps be even more affordable? What have some of you done to insure your husband or wife when they arrive in the USA, until they can find employment of their own and use that coverage?

Thanks.

I arranged my health insurance before I arrived in the States. I went with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, they seemed to offer the best cover for a reasonable cost. It was all done while I was still in the UK and started the day I arrived here.

[edsperfect 25]

I am expecting my wife will be getting her green card in a short time.....we're nearing the interview stage of the I-130 process. One topic that we have discussed and I would imagine is an important issue for just about everyone whose spouse has arrived in the USA (or will be soon). That is........what is a good health insurance option to use for my wife when she comes here? I obviously don't want to wait until the last minute to prepare for this. Having her covered as soon as possible is a very important matter for me.

What types of health insurance options do I have for my wife who , when she arrives here, will not have a job yet, and so will most likely be unemployed for a while?

I DO have good insurance from my own job, but from what I have discussed with them (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield), it might actually be more expensive for me to add my wife to my coverage than to have her apply separately. They told me I could consider enrolling her individually, and not as part of my own plan.

That is an option.

But, so far, those are the only options I am aware of at this time. To either enroll her individually with Blue Cross/Blue Shield......or to add her to my own plan (which I was told would probably be a more costly option).

I would like to know what "other" companies there are that could insure my wife when she arrives? What are some other options that I have for her that might perhaps be even more affordable? What have some of you done to insure your husband or wife when they arrive in the USA, until they can find employment of their own and use that coverage?

Thanks.

Health insurance is usuallyconbtrolled bythe state you reside in. Search online for "health insurance (state)" There are many types such as BCBC, HMO's, high dedctible, low dedutible. Pick the one you like

[MPGGPM 0]

We have the same problem for myself and my son to be added to my husbands insurance at woprk would of cost him an extra $400 per month...so we are currently looking around for much cheaper quotes.

That quote seems to be around what I heard.......although it was only for my wife. And per month I believe (I will have to call them back and check again on the details...but from what I recall.......the cost was pretty high).

I do know for sure I was told that it was cheaper for my wife to join separately......rather than jointly on my policy. I just am not sure about the specifics.

Seems something is not correct somewhere, when you have one person paying $50 a month for his spouse, while some of us others are hearing much steeper prices.

Thanks for the replies.

[tom&tata 2]

We have the same problem for myself and my son to be added to my husbands insurance at woprk would of cost him an extra $400 per month...so we are currently looking around for much cheaper quotes.

That quote seems to be around what I heard.......although it was only for my wife. And per month I believe (I will have to call them back and check again on the details...but from what I recall.......the cost was pretty high).

I do know for sure I was told that it was cheaper for my wife to join separately......rather than jointly on my policy. I just am not sure about the specifics.

Seems something is not correct somewhere, when you have one person paying $50 a month for his spouse, while some of us others are hearing much steeper prices.

Thanks for the replies.

Probably the company provides subsidy for adding the spouse - so the $ 50 is not full priced premium.

[saturn5man 0]

I am expecting my wife will be getting her green card in a short time.....we're nearing the interview stage of the I-130 process. One topic that we have discussed and I would imagine is an important issue for just about everyone whose spouse has arrived in the USA (or will be soon). That is........what is a good health insurance option to use for my wife when she comes here? I obviously don't want to wait until the last minute to prepare for this. Having her covered as soon as possible is a very important matter for me.

What types of health insurance options do I have for my wife who , when she arrives here, will not have a job yet, and so will most likely be unemployed for a while?

I DO have good insurance from my own job, but from what I have discussed with them (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield), it might actually be more expensive for me to add my wife to my coverage than to have her apply separately. They told me I could consider enrolling her individually, and not as part of my own plan.

That is an option.

But, so far, those are the only options I am aware of at this time. To either enroll her individually with Blue Cross/Blue Shield......or to add her to my own plan (which I was told would probably be a more costly option).

I would like to know what "other" companies there are that could insure my wife when she arrives? What are some other options that I have for her that might perhaps be even more affordable? What have some of you done to insure your husband or wife when they arrive in the USA, until they can find employment of their own and use that coverage?

Thanks.

I always thought that if you have health insurance coverage through work, that you could add your husband or wife to that policy - it's crazy that they're telling you it costs more. I would look into that - I have BCBS, and adding a spouse is only about $50 per month. Good luck!

Depends on age...I am tacked-on to my wife's work-related BCBS policy and pay $400 a MONTH, not including dental or optical. I am 59 though...... Good Luck !! Neil.

[Savanphil 3]

As soon as my husband came to the US I was able to add him to my insurance policy. I thought it was weird because he doesn't even have a soc # yet. Anyways my insurance went from $28 a month to $42. Which isn't basd because we have dyam good coverage.

[Chris-n-Veronica 0]

If you start looking I found good rates here :

https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Allian...;sid=NATIONAL+1

[payxibka 10,045]

Depends on age...I am tacked-on to my wife's work-related BCBS policy and pay $400 a MONTH, not including dental or optical. I am 59 though...... Good Luck !! Neil.

Health plans should not be able to discriminate based on age (does not mean they do not try). The most likely reason is the amount of the participation (subsidy) the employer contributes. Some company's contribute a much higher percentage to just the individual employee and then employee contributes a higher percentage when on the family plan.

[saturn5man 0]

Depends on age...I am tacked-on to my wife's work-related BCBS policy and pay $400 a MONTH, not including dental or optical. I am 59 though...... Good Luck !! Neil.

Health plans should not be able to discriminate based on age (does not mean they do not try). The most likely reason is the amount of the participation (subsidy) the employer contributes. Some company's contribute a much higher percentage to just the individual employee and then employee contributes a higher percentage when on the family plan.

Thanks for that info....I didn't know this. I was just applying what I was used to in the UK, to the US. Obviously things are different here, in that respect.....Neil.

[Boiler 44,986]

Depends what you mean by descriminate, the older you get the more it costs.

A large Group is essentially charged according to its costs, the Employer decides how much and where they want to subsidise.

If your Employer has a relatively old workforce/poor claims experiance, does not subsidise spouses then it could well be that the cost for a relatively young spouse could be more than taking out an individual plan. However they are likely to be cover considerations.

It would be a rare situation where an individual plan was better than a group plan.

[Lansbury 19]

Depends on age...I am tacked-on to my wife's work-related BCBS policy and pay $400 a MONTH, not including dental or optical. I am 59 though...... Good Luck !! Neil.

That seems high. I took out a new BCBS policy for myself, I'm 58, and with dental included pay $321 a month.

[saturn5man 0]

Depends on age...I am tacked-on to my wife's work-related BCBS policy and pay $400 a MONTH, not including dental or optical. I am 59 though...... Good Luck !! Neil.

That seems high. I took out a new BCBS policy for myself, I'm 58, and with dental included pay $321 a month.

Must be what Boiler says, I guess.....