SSN/Health Insurance

[Na3Na3 3]

Hello Everyone!

 

I have a question regarding getting an SSN and health insurance. My fiancee arrived in the US a little over a month ago, and we are getting married in the coming 2 weeks. 

 

Obviously health insurance is very expensive in the US, and my fiancee and I would prefer to not have to buy it for him until he can work (if possible). I am currently on my parents' plan, and can remain there for a while. Is a K1 visa holder required to buy health insurance? Or can he go without until he gets his green card or work authorization? Will we receive a tax penalty if he doesn't get insured? 

 

Also, health insurance asside, are K1 visa holders required to get their SSN numbers in the first 90 days? We don't need an SSN to get married, however I suppose I can't claim him on my taxes if he doesn't have an SSN. 

 

Thanks for the help! 

[gregcrs2 1,777]

As of Jan. 1, 2019, there is no penalty fee associated with not having health insurance for the 2019 calendar year.

[Crazy Cat 39,182]

14 minutes ago, Lucy F said:

Hello Everyone!

 

I have a question regarding getting an SSN and health insurance. My fiancee arrived in the US a little over a month ago, and we are getting married in the coming 2 weeks. 

 

Obviously health insurance is very expensive in the US, and my fiancee and I would prefer to not have to buy it for him until he can work (if possible). I am currently on my parents' plan, and can remain there for a while. Is a K1 visa holder required to buy health insurance? Or can he go without until he gets his green card or work authorization? Will we receive a tax penalty if he doesn't get insured? 

 

Also, health insurance asside, are K1 visa holders required to get their SSN numbers in the first 90 days? We don't need an SSN to get married, however I suppose I can't claim him on my taxes if he doesn't have an SSN. 

 

Thanks for the help! 

Honestly, these are questions which should have been asked and answered before he arrived.  Healthcare should be a MAJOR part every new immigrant's plan for living in the US.......While it might not be mandated that he have health insurance immediately, it is not wise to wait.  Any tax penalty should be the least of your concerns regarding healthcare.

To file a joint tax return, he MUST have a social security number.  

Edited December 24, 2019 by missileman

[Crazy Cat 39,182]

One more thing.......He should file for adjustment of status within 90 days of entry to the US. If he fails to do so, he will be out of status and subject to deportation. 

[NikLR 13,220]

~~moved to moving here and your new life from K1 process and procedures. ~~

 

you can get the ssn right away and should.   You also do not need an ssn for health insurance. 

I would double check if you can remain on your parents plan after marriage.  Most plans kick you off for that or if you turn 26 or arent in school fulltime etc. 

[Crazy Cat 39,182]

3 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Most plans kick you off for that or if you turn 26 or arent in school fulltime etc. 

Great point......I forgot about that.......

[designguy 1,179]

44 minutes ago, missileman said:

Honestly, these are questions which should have been asked and answered before he arrived.  Healthcare should be a MAJOR part every new immigrant's plan for living in the US.......While it might not be mandated that he have health insurance immediately, it is not wise to wait.  Any tax penalty should be the least of your concerns regarding healthcare.

To file a joint tax return, he MUST have a social security number.  

Totally agree. Living in the US without insurance is a huge risk. An accident can happen or an unexpected illness and it’s enough to ruin someone financially. It’s not worth the risk. He needs to find coverage one way or another ASAP

40 minutes ago, NikLR said:

you can get the ssn right away and should.

They need to get married first, no?

[NikLR 13,220]

8 minutes ago, designguy said:

Totally agree. Living in the US without insurance is a huge risk. An accident can happen or an unexpected illness and it’s enough to ruin someone financially. It’s not worth the risk. He needs to find coverage one way or another ASAP

They need to get married first, no?

No they do not need to get married first to get the SSN.  He can get one as a K1 entrant.  Most of the time we encourage women to get then asap before marriage because if you change your legal name from your visa name, the SSA throws a conniption fit and wont issue an SSN.  Men are no different obviously. 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

if you think health insurance is expensive, try getting sick or being hospitalized or needing surgery WITHOUT it....

 

When you marry, you will probably not be able to remain on your parents plan. You are an adult. old enough to be married, old enough to figure out your insurance and how to pay for it.

 

SSN is not required for health insurance. You should have it before you file taxes, or you can file by paper and apply for ITIN, but you should have it by then.

 

Dont forget you also need to file for AOS as soon as possible after marriage. Thats another $1200 ish dollars.

 

Welcome to adulthood.

Edited December 24, 2019 by debbiedoo

[Highmystic 234]

4 hours ago, debbiedoo said:

if you think health insurance is expensive, try getting sick or being hospitalized or needing surgery WITHOUT it....

Welcome to adulthood.

Actually, without the "mandatory" insurance from the "Affordable Health Care" plan,  I think rates have dropped a bit, since companies now have to compete with other companies.  It's like mandatory car ins, if there was no mandatory insurance some companies would move out of that state, and the ones who remain fights for the dollar with lower costs.

 

Recently my wife had a doctors visit, the big was $200,  then discounted for being in a group thing,  insurance ponied up and her total cost was a tad over $40.  I would have hated to pay the $200 out of pocket.  We pay for her $137 a month, health ins only as she gets dental etc at work even as a part timer.  So,  the OP needs to shop around and take care of it.  Being younger is a plus! 

[SalishSea 16,745]

7 hours ago, Na3Na3 said:

Hello Everyone!

 

I have a question regarding getting an SSN and health insurance. My fiancee arrived in the US a little over a month ago, and we are getting married in the coming 2 weeks. 

 

Obviously health insurance is very expensive in the US, and my fiancee and I would prefer to not have to buy it for him until he can work (if possible). I am currently on my parents' plan, and can remain there for a while. Is a K1 visa holder required to buy health insurance? Or can he go without until he gets his green card or work authorization? Will we receive a tax penalty if he doesn't get insured? 

 

Also, health insurance asside, are K1 visa holders required to get their SSN numbers in the first 90 days? We don't need an SSN to get married, however I suppose I can't claim him on my taxes if he doesn't have an SSN. 

 

Thanks for the help! 

What will you do if he gets sick or injured?  It is far cheaper to pay for health insurance than to pay out of pocket for medical bills as an uninsured patient.

[Joyoussinger 1,410]

20 hours ago, gregcrs2 said:

As of Jan. 1, 2019, there is no penalty fee associated with not having health insurance for the 2019 calendar year.

That depends on where you live. New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and D,C, still have the penalty based on income level.

[gregcrs2 1,777]

15 minutes ago, Joyoussinger said:

That depends on where you live. New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and D,C, still have the penalty based on income level.

To rephrase my comment for correctness:  As of Jan. 1, 2019, there is no federal penalty fee associated with not having health insurance for the 2019 calendar year.

Unfortunately, the states you mentioned have a State Health Insurance Mandates with penalties based on income level.     

[Cheschirecat 176]

23 hours ago, Na3Na3 said:

Hello Everyone!

 

I have a question regarding getting an SSN and health insurance. My fiancee arrived in the US a little over a month ago, and we are getting married in the coming 2 weeks. 

 

Obviously health insurance is very expensive in the US, and my fiancee and I would prefer to not have to buy it for him until he can work (if possible). I am currently on my parents' plan, and can remain there for a while. Is a K1 visa holder required to buy health insurance? Or can he go without until he gets his green card or work authorization? Will we receive a tax penalty if he doesn't get insured? 

 

Also, health insurance asside, are K1 visa holders required to get their SSN numbers in the first 90 days? We don't need an SSN to get married, however I suppose I can't claim him on my taxes if he doesn't have an SSN. 

 

Thanks for the help! 

You don’t need a SS card to get heath insurance 

[janet3 1,170]

You can get the SSN before marriage and add your fiancé to your health insurance at the time of marriage.

Edited January 2, 2020 by janet3