Question About Employer's Healthcare

[Moraesm 42]

Hello everyone.

 

I moved to the US April last year on a K1 visa and got my EAD this past February. My current AOS status says that my case is ready for interview to be scheduled but with the ongoing covid situation God knows when it will actually take place.

I have been employed since April and I have just become eligible for their benefits program (yay!) but here's the issue: the company's website states that:

"The Company has partnered with Med-Enroll, a free resource that helps you determine if you are eligible for free or low cost, state-sponsored medical, dental, prescription drug and vision coverage. Eligibility is based upon your state of residence, household size and income. Certain states, like Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada have programs for family coverage."

 

Under my immigration status I am not supposed to use any government-subsidized program/benefit. Does anyone know if that will conflict with the benefit the company is offering?

Sorry if the question is too simple, I am entirely new to this world of healthcare in America.

 

Thanks in advance and God bless.

[TBoneTX 43,057]

It's a very good question.  Look on the Med-Enroll website; if an answer isn't clear, call them to ask.  See also if your company's Benefits department can find out for you.

 

As another thought (and I don't know how valid a thought), if you would lose your Med-Enroll coverage if your employment ended, it would seem that the coverage is a outgrowth or benefit of your employment, not of government subsidy.

[Sabi76 6]

Hello @Moraesm,

     I understand your confusion, even being a native citizen when it comes to healthcare enrollment it can be a lot of information.  What is being told to you is that Med-enroll will review the information you provide at the time of enrollment.   Eligibility is based upon your state of residence, household size and income.  IF you are eligible you become eligible for free or low cost, state-sponsored medical, dental, prescription drug and vision coverage.  To summarize it all eligibility does not mean you have to accept to enroll and therefore can deny it so you don't impact your K-1 Visa.  Besides your spouse may already have you on their benefits so you would probably not need the extra coverage unless it gives you something your spouses coverage does not.

[Moraesm 42]

On 6/5/2020 at 2:05 AM, Sabi76 said:

Hello @Moraesm,

     I understand your confusion, even being a native citizen when it comes to healthcare enrollment it can be a lot of information.  What is being told to you is that Med-enroll will review the information you provide at the time of enrollment.   Eligibility is based upon your state of residence, household size and income.  IF you are eligible you become eligible for free or low cost, state-sponsored medical, dental, prescription drug and vision coverage.  To summarize it all eligibility does not mean you have to accept to enroll and therefore can deny it so you don't impact your K-1 Visa.  Besides your spouse may already have you on their benefits so you would probably not need the extra coverage unless it gives you something your spouses coverage does not.

Thank you, that is very helpful! I figured that this is what the company meant and went ahead. The actual coverage is issued by a private company so no worries there.