AOS from K-1 health insurance options

[ourlifeuncharted 1]

Just wondering what you all are doing for your spouses' health insurance while they are in the US but before they have their green card. We aren't sure what to do. Is there an insurance provider you recommend or are some of you just living without it? thanks!

[soulstriker 274]

u can add your spouse to your employers health plan but i depends on the employer , at least thats what im doing 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

26 minutes ago, ourlifeuncharted said:

Just wondering what you all are doing for your spouses' health insurance while they are in the US but before they have their green card. We aren't sure what to do. Is there an insurance provider you recommend or are some of you just living without it? thanks!

I added my wife to my medical insurance through my employer provided health insurance 2 weeks prior to her even coming to USA!  I simply explained that my wife did not have a GC or SS card yet and they added her no problem.  Now I see you are referring to your fiance?  That might be different.  As I recall all I had to show to Blue Shield was our marriage certificate.  Good luck.

Edited January 20, 2017 by David & Zoila

[yuna628 9,530]

16 minutes ago, ourlifeuncharted said:

Just wondering what you all are doing for your spouses' health insurance while they are in the US but before they have their green card. We aren't sure what to do. Is there an insurance provider you recommend or are some of you just living without it? thanks!

Well, currently (and I say currently.. because with administration change.. things may become very fluid) all persons whether they be immigrant or citizen must purchase health insurance or pay a penalty in taxes. There is a short period of time you are allowed a gap in coverage, otherwise in some cases exemptions may be claimed depending on circumstances. So your options are typically this as it stands:

 

Get married and add your spouse to your health insurance plan (if you have one privately or via your work).

Get married and purchase a plan for them privately via any insurance company that offers in your state.

Sign up on the federal exchange/state exchange O'care.  Many of the plans you find here are similar to what you can purchase privately. The only problem with this option is that typically you may need to wait until AOS is filed (verifying documents you could use would be the NOA1 for that, an EAD or green card).

 

In all of these cases, it's going to cost some serious cash, you will need to plan and shop around, and I would also recommend obtaining an SSN for the K1 fiancé soon after they arrive stateside. While it is not required to obtain health insurance, it does make it a lot easier navigating the headache of employees potential misunderstanding of how to apply rules and laws regarding immigrants. Temporary insurances, short term insurances, or insurances marketed toward immigrants are not ACA compliant and are considered subpar by the feds. This means if you use them, the penalty will still apply.

 

Note that you don't have to have insurance if you don't want to, and if you feel the risk is worth it. Paying the penalty right now is certainly cheaper than monthly premium payments. There are plenty of clinics that will also see a person without insurance as well.