Asthma & Moving to Pennysylvania

[NicolaBolton87 161]

I'm moving to PA next month on a K1 visa (finally!) and I'm a bit confused over the whole health insurance thing. I went to my doctor last night who was only able to prescribe me x3 ventolin inhalers which SHOULD last me 4-5 months but I'm a little anxious over how it works in the US with regards to getting prescribed inhalers, I wonder if anyone can help?

I move on the 25th August and we will be married on the 27th October. I'm looking at getting temporary health insurance to cover me for those 2 months but I've read various posts about it taking several weeks once you are married for the health insurance to be valid.

Does anyone have any experience with getting ventolin inhalers? Will I need to go to a doctor and get a prescription? Can I buy this over the counter? Will a doctor see me and prescribe this or are there other things I need to be sure of when getting health insurance to ensure I'm covered for pharmaceutical or something?

[BJ & Christine 1,392]

4 hours ago, NicolaBolton87 said:

I'm moving to PA next month on a K1 visa (finally!) and I'm a bit confused over the whole health insurance thing. I went to my doctor last night who was only able to prescribe me x3 ventolin inhalers which SHOULD last me 4-5 months but I'm a little anxious over how it works in the US with regards to getting prescribed inhalers, I wonder if anyone can help?

I move on the 25th August and we will be married on the 27th October. I'm looking at getting temporary health insurance to cover me for those 2 months but I've read various posts about it taking several weeks once you are married for the health insurance to be valid.

Does anyone have any experience with getting ventolin inhalers? Will I need to go to a doctor and get a prescription? Can I buy this over the counter? Will a doctor see me and prescribe this or are there other things I need to be sure of when getting health insurance to ensure I'm covered for pharmaceutical or something?

I contacted my employer health insurance about this as my fiancé has asthma also. They told me I just need to prove marriage and we would be all set. Also, u should be covered from date. Of marriage and be able to back charge the insurance company and money u have had to pay out of pocket minus copay. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

You'll need a prescription. It wouldn't hurt to have something from you GP to present to your new US doctor stating information about your asthma diagnosis...how long, what meds, etc.

 

Your insurance coverage will start the day you marry. You will likely have a deductible meaning the first $xxx.xx of medical expenses are paid by you before insurance will pay any claims. 

 

Pharmacies charge different amounts so you can call around and find out who is cheaper on the inhaler. Some offer a bonus or store gift card with a new prescription so you can check around for offers. Some insurance companies want you to order mail order prescriptions in 90 day supply if there are things you will require ongoing. It will be cheaper that way. 

 

 

Edited July 25, 2018 by Wuozopo

[yuna628 9,680]

6 hours ago, NicolaBolton87 said:

I'm moving to PA next month on a K1 visa (finally!) and I'm a bit confused over the whole health insurance thing. I went to my doctor last night who was only able to prescribe me x3 ventolin inhalers which SHOULD last me 4-5 months but I'm a little anxious over how it works in the US with regards to getting prescribed inhalers, I wonder if anyone can help?

I move on the 25th August and we will be married on the 27th October. I'm looking at getting temporary health insurance to cover me for those 2 months but I've read various posts about it taking several weeks once you are married for the health insurance to be valid.

Does anyone have any experience with getting ventolin inhalers? Will I need to go to a doctor and get a prescription? Can I buy this over the counter? Will a doctor see me and prescribe this or are there other things I need to be sure of when getting health insurance to ensure I'm covered for pharmaceutical or something?

Any temporary insurance you purchase will not cover a pre-existing condition.

 

Options for your situation would be getting married as soon as possible, and having your spouse add you to their insurance (if they have it privately or via workplace). If your spouse is in a situation where they are still on their parent's plan however, this would be less than ideal. Other options would be to obtain health insurance either privately or via the federal or state exchange. It would be to your benefit to marry and then apply quickly. It does not take several weeks, it's only as fast as you can marry, can provide proof of the marriage, and can apply.

 

You will need a prescription for an inhaler, and that will require going to a doctor. Go to whatever provider participates with your insurance, once covered, and discuss your current treatment with them. You'll likely need to pay a copay for the doctor, and a copay for the inhaler depending on the type of insurance you obtain. Some medication are on tiers - from least expensive to most expensive. The higher the tier the more you'll have to pay.

[Meisha&Jake 869]

Followed this thread as this information is useful to me as im also Asthmatic - good to know i can join my fiancé’s health insurance once we marry - thank you!