Temporary health insurance for first month after we arrive in US?

[aelix 2]

Hi all

We're flying out to the US in October and I've been trying to find temporary health insurance just to cover the family (2 adults, 2 kids) until we're able to get on a proper plan as residents (Michigan). I've seen others talk about getting added to a pre-existing employer's plan but my wife doesn't work and I don't have a job lined up yet.

I looked at travel insurance and it seemed like I could get a policy for emergencies but then at the final stage of signup it asked me to confirm that we would all be returning to Australia after our 'trip'. So that's not going to work.

Does anyone know of a good option? What did others do?

Thanks in advance...

[Boiler 45,651]

You will need to sign up for Obamacare as soon as you arrive, varies by State so look up which exchange is relevant for you.

You will only have a limited time to sign up.

[Darnell 8,478]

hit 'healthcare.gov'

then call the phone number listed there,

and talk with a human.

there are other options available...

[aelix 2]

Thanks for the replies. I do know that we need to sign up for a 'proper' plan but our research so far was suggesting that we couldn't do that until we were present in the US. My wife and kids are USCs so it seems like they should be able to sign up - my wife will phone as suggested. But how do I get coverage under an Obamacare plan when until I arrive I won't have anything apart from a visa in my passport? No SSN, no green card etc...

[Boiler 45,651]

Thanks for the replies. I do know that we need to sign up for a 'proper' plan but our research so far was suggesting that we couldn't do that until we were present in the US. My wife and kids are USCs so it seems like they should be able to sign up - my wife will phone as suggested. But how do I get coverage under an Obamacare plan when until I arrive I won't have anything apart from a visa in my passport? No SSN, no green card etc...

You have to be resident in the State to apply, you can do the preliminary investigation now, but until you take up residency then as I understand it you can not do anything else.

When you enter you will become a LPR and be eligible.

[Darnell 8,478]

Thanks for the replies. I do know that we need to sign up for a 'proper' plan but our research so far was suggesting that we couldn't do that until we were present in the US. My wife and kids are USCs so it seems like they should be able to sign up - my wife will phone as suggested. But how do I get coverage under an Obamacare plan when until I arrive I won't have anything apart from a visa in my passport? No SSN, no green card etc...

when a visa gets glued into the passport, study the line that contains the word 'endorsement' and learn what an I-551 document is.

And yes, most CR-1/IR-1 visa holders are successful in getting a SSN 3 to 4 weeks after arriving in the USA, getting into a SSA office and applying for the SSN.

[aelix 2]

when a visa gets glued into the passport, study the line that contains the word 'endorsement' and learn what an I-551 document is.

And yes, most CR-1/IR-1 visa holders are successful in getting a SSN 3 to 4 weeks after arriving in the USA, getting into a SSA office and applying for the SSN.

Thanks, I do understand that on entry the endorsed visa will serve as a 'temporary green card'. But the issue I'm trying to resolve is how to insure myself and my family for literally the first few days/weeks that we are in the US, because if I don't get some form of coverage we could e.g. get in a car accident on the way home from the airport and end up with a $100,000 medical bill.

I called the Healthcare.gov hotline and the guy was fairly vague about whether my wife and kids (who are USCs) would be able to apply for a plan through the Marketplace before actually moving to the US. We think the answer is probably 'no' because they won't be able to demonstrate residence (no utility bills, no drivers licence etc). So I think we are going to have to get temporary insurance through a non-Obamacare provider just for immediate coverage, then sort out proper coverage after we get there.

[darin&josh 18]

Look for 'catastrophic' or 'new immigrant' health insurance plans, which will offer some basic coverage for emergencies. These are probably the best options until you can sign up for an employer provided plan, a marketplace plan or a private plan.