New Healthcare Requirements for US Immigrants

[Justus Forever 85]

20 hours ago, yuna628 said:

What are their reasons for not being insured? And as for what to do? Ideally, it would for your spouse to obtain coverage and then add you to their coverage as their spouse.

You can certainly do that, just be aware it will be very expensive, and you will not be taking advantage of important comingling. You may also terminate any plan you purchase if you are offered a plan via a workplace or your spouse finally decides to get joint coverage.

These type of insurances really do not cover LPRs. They tend to cover visitors. That's the big key in the website title as you can see. There are a few different types of insurances that offer short term coverage to immigrants and visitors, but you have to sort through them. Keep in mind these are still all short term coverage, are not ACA compliant, they DO NOT cover pre-existing conditions either. Coverage offered is dubious and if you are going to shell out $353 a month you'd be wiser to invest that amount in a real health insurance plan.

I have health covarage through my job but i was looking for short term until open enrollment depending when my family would arrive. I didn't read all of it i was on lunch I seen for green card holders which my family would be when they come. my open enrollment is in nov i just refiled and they will not make it in time so i am just shopping and looking for when the time come. I just figured it would help someone and i said please please read because i didn't. Thank you for your insight

[UserC 25]

Hi everyone, I recently obtained my IR-1 visa (visa in my passport already) and planning to enter the US in February. 

Will I be asked for a health insurance at POE?

 

Additionally, any recommendations for a temporary new immigrant insurance? 

 

Thanks in advance for your replies 😀

[Crazy Cat 39,624]

1 minute ago, UserC said:

Hi everyone, I recently obtained my IR-1 visa (visa in my passport already) and planning to enter the US in February. 

Will I be asked for a health insurance at POE?

 

Additionally, any recommendations for a temporary new immigrant insurance? 

 

Thanks in advance for your replies 😀

No....

[artcodex 28]

6 hours ago, Chi2019 said:

i All ,

 

So i saw a video regarding Afidavit of support with USCIS immigration that would take effect from the 15th of October 2019 , that a Petitioner must earn over 62k(125% above the poverty level) a year , to prove that ones relative will not benefit from the needs base systems inorder to be able to file for Green card for a beneficiary during AOS .So my question is?

 

1. Does this new Policy affect any one about to submitt his or her 1-129F application form or is it just for the ones who have secured the K1 visa , married and are already settled in the United state?

2. Which application forms will have some changes from the 15th October

 

Pleases guys i need your input for clarification. Thanks

This number is not "exactly" true. Foremost and firstly the number being referred to is $64,375 and is 250% of the federal poverty line for a household of 4 (The number referenced is for 2018). For the entire federal poverty tables (for 2019) you can see: https://help.ihealthagents.com/hc/en-us/articles/225377107-What-are-the-2019-Federal-Poverty-Levels-

 

Now the bigger reply to this is that this is not a requirement, all that is required is 125% of the federal poverty line (which is $32,187 for household of 4 for 2019). If you get less then this it will be harder to prove your case but can be done with other means (eg. assets etc.). However under new rules and guidance it seems if you get between 125% and 250% (so between $32,187 and $64,375 again for a household of 4 you can look at table link above for other figures), you qualify but they may scrutinize your other factors like employment prospects, health, health care etc more carefully in making a full assesment, with this guidance it appears that if you make more then 250% it will just make your case a lot easier and streamlined, but again it is not a requirement or something that will make things exceedingly more difficult it just might make things a little more comlicated for you if you fall into the in-between category, if you fall under 125% things become way more difficult. 

 

Anyway above is my interpretation of changes + guidance (there is a difference between direct legal changes and guidance documentation given to consular offices, since guidance documents can often have more clarity on what to look for, both should be publicly available afaik).

[artcodex 28]

2 hours ago, UserC said:

Hi everyone, I recently obtained my IR-1 visa (visa in my passport already) and planning to enter the US in February. 

Will I be asked for a health insurance at POE?

 

Additionally, any recommendations for a temporary new immigrant insurance? 

 

Thanks in advance for your replies 😀

shouldn't be this should be assessed at interview stage which you have already passed through, however there are no guarantees these days on what border security may or may not try to scrutinize on entry, but the requirement is set for consular officers at the interview stage

[yuna628 9,541]

3 hours ago, Justus Forever said:

I have health covarage through my job but i was looking for short term until open enrollment depending when my family would arrive. I didn't read all of it i was on lunch I seen for green card holders which my family would be when they come. my open enrollment is in nov i just refiled and they will not make it in time so i am just shopping and looking for when the time come. I just figured it would help someone and i said please please read because i didn't. Thank you for your insight

Why would your family need to wait until open enrollment? You should be able to add them to your work insurance as soon as they set foot in the US. You could technically add them right now, if your HR allows it.

2 hours ago, UserC said:

Hi everyone, I recently obtained my IR-1 visa (visa in my passport already) and planning to enter the US in February. 

Will I be asked for a health insurance at POE?

 

Additionally, any recommendations for a temporary new immigrant insurance? 

 

Thanks in advance for your replies 😀

No. You're fine. Go get whatever insurance is available for you to obtain in your state. Privately purchased, through a spouse, through work, or through the exchanges. You do not require temporary insurance.

[Justus Forever 85]

16 hours ago, yuna628 said:

Why would your family need to wait until open enrollment? You should be able to add them to your work insurance as soon as they set foot in the US. You could technically add them right now, if your HR allows it.

No. You're fine. Go get whatever insurance is available for you to obtain in your state. Privately purchased, through a spouse, through work, or through the exchanges. You do not require temporary insurance.

Good Morning, yes that is what i did because open enrollment is next month and I wanted to add them HR told me I couldn't because they don't have a social. So I found this topic to see how to go around I will contact the insurance company and ask questions today

[Clarebear101 56]

Am I reading this WH proclamation right? - You have to prove at your visa interview that you will be covered within 30 days of entering the US... yet it doesn't tell you how to do this? 

So my husband, the applicant, doesn't need to be covered now; we can wait until he qualifies for special enrollment (change of status) upon entering the US with his visa? 

So how does he prove at his interview that he will get coverage within 30 days? 

My first thoughts - he brings a printout of the plan he intends to enroll in, and a print out of our bank account proving funds are available? 

I really wish these policies were clearer :( 

 

 

[Clarebear101 56]

On 10/6/2019 at 1:38 PM, Shamla said:

Hello Everyone,

I have read most of your comments but still don’t have answers to the below questions. 

 

1. Besides employer based insurance, I see the only two other insurance that a spouse can get is catastrophic or short term plans. I think travel insurance is NOT included. Can you fellow VJers confirm this?

2. Would you know on average how much catastrophic or short term premiums run monthly?

 

 

Why can't my spouse get his own private plan?  I have a low deductible plan for myself and our 2 children, and we just couldn't afford to add him when I'm finding individual non-subsidized plans for him starting at $300/month... 

Catastrophic plans are only available for individuals under 30 years of age FYI

[JohnL 4]

Remember, you cannot use anything on the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Apparently, getting a tax credit  makes you a public charge.   I found out the in Idaho they do not sell insurance that does not go thru the ACA.  Interesting.....what is a person to do?

[Boiler 43,720]

3 minutes ago, JohnL said:

Remember, you cannot use anything on the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Apparently, getting a tax credit  makes you a public charge.   I found out the in Idaho they do not sell insurance that does not go thru the ACA.  Interesting.....what is a person to do?

ACA does not equal tax credit.

[artcodex 28]

4 minutes ago, JohnL said:

Remember, you cannot use anything on the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Apparently, getting a tax credit  makes you a public charge.   I found out the in Idaho they do not sell insurance that does not go thru the ACA.  Interesting.....what is a person to do?

Could be wrong but I think you can use the healthcare marketplace you just can't use the tax credits (i.e it cannot be subsidized). I think the point is weird anyway because an immigrant visa applicant can't apply for marketplace insurance until they are a green card holder anyway. Also there is no change to the rules regarding green card holders and using tax credits. (Not yet anyway).

[artcodex 28]

To me at this point, this is the most confusing part of all of this:

 

Section 2c) (c)  Consistent with subsection (a) of this section, this proclamation does not affect the entry of aliens entering the United States through means other than immigrant visas, including lawful permanent residents.  Further, nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to affect any individual’s eligibility for asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, consistent with the laws and regulations of the United States.

 

So this means this doesn't affect lawful permanent residents (green card holders) only those applying for immigrant visas, which if you get and enter the country you then become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

 

It seems in this wording there is a lot of confusion that will occur in regards to health care requirements and I'm sure it's going to create very compounding confusion in immigrant communities.

[Mrs Ryan Carreras 247]

On 10/8/2019 at 2:39 PM, artcodex said:

Just to add do be careful with these plans and make sure you scrutinize the terms and conditions

I found a link that may be helpful when exploring various insurance plans in the US. 
It at minimum discusses insurance and what different plans mean and may help some of you. 
It reviews who can get what type of coverage and provides links to various other links for specific insurance plans. It also does a good job explaining some key terms here in the US when searching for a plan. 
If this may be helpful than great, if not than disregard. 
 I agree to always scrutinize the terms and conditions no matter what insurance you deem appropriate for insurance for you and your family members. 
This does focus on the elderly but does than branch into some other coverage for ex. people coming on a K1 or other visas and what type of coverage they can be eligible for. 
 

https://www.***removed***.com/new-immigrants-medical-insurance-plans/#

Edited October 11, 2019 by Sarah n Ryan

[erinandahmet 9]

On 10/5/2019 at 1:52 AM, ADW & JOP said:

Not a Trump supporter and from a country with universal healthcare, I agree with this policy.

 

The other day, my wife and I were wondering why we haven't received our joint tax refund for this year. Our accountant contacted IRS and they explained it has been withheld due to Shared Responsibility. We both have healthcare insurance so we are sorting this out with the IRS right now. However, if taxpayers are expected to have healthcare insurance or make a shared responsibility payment , I see no reason why this should not be considered for prospective immigrants.

 

Reviewing his previous post, one can understand why he feels this way about the administration trying to "curb legal (immigration)".

 

What is "shared responsibility"? Is this related to the penalty that was supposed to go away? 

I have to say, that my insurance would not allow me to add my husband when he came and I had to pay a 9 month penalty that year. They said he had to wait until open enrollment since it was past the 60 days after we got married.