Short-term health insurance till Marketplace enrollment opens?(merged)

[chiks24 11]

Hello! I've been stuck in this position and I cannot seem to find an answer anywhere.

 

I (petitioner) do not have health insurance, and did not know about special enrollment after marrying my wife (beneficiary). We are currently in the process of gathering everything for AoS application.

 

I do not make a lot of money to be able to afford private healthcare (easily $300+ a month). Does anyone know if it would be valid from USCIS perspective to purchase short-term health insurance (non-ACA compliant) till end of November? Maybe write a letter explaining we plan to enroll in Marketplace once this short-term insurance ends?

 

I'm on a one month break from my current job since I'm in the education system. Does getting a second full-time job open up special enrollment? 

 

I would appreciate any suggestions or insight.

Edited July 6, 2020 by chiks24
Typo.

[payxibka 10,044]

When did you get married?

 

Did you recently move?

 

 

[chiks24 11]

8 minutes ago, payxibka said:

When did you get married?

 

Did you recently move?

 

 

Got married in January 2020. 

 

No, I moved in November 2019.

[TamMhmd 210]

Have you checked with your employer on enrollment? I discussed with my HR about my immigration timeline and asked what 'life changes' qualify for an open enrollment and they were able to give me more clarity on what would qualify.
Things like, marriage, approved immigration, husband's move into the USA, my recent move back, etc.

Each company is different so it may be worth checking! 

[chiks24 11]

3 hours ago, TamMhmd said:

Have you checked with your employer on enrollment? I discussed with my HR about my immigration timeline and asked what 'life changes' qualify for an open enrollment and they were able to give me more clarity on what would qualify.
Things like, marriage, approved immigration, husband's move into the USA, my recent move back, etc.

Each company is different so it may be worth checking! 

 

@TamMhmd

 

I did. I emailed HR, explained my situation, and they just repeated the same "you had a month after marriage ceremony to enroll in a health plan" as well as the "next open enrollment is in November."

 

I'm stuck because I do not have any special life events happening. Changed apartments in November 2019, new job in December 2019, marriage was in January 2020, no kids, no loss of job, etc. 

[payxibka 10,044]

8 minutes ago, chiks24 said:

 

@TamMhmd

 

I did. I emailed HR, explained my situation, and they just repeated the same "you had a month after marriage ceremony to enroll in a health plan" as well as the "next open enrollment is in November."

 

I'm stuck because I do not have any special life events happening. Changed apartments in November 2019, new job in December 2019, marriage was in January 2020, no kids, no loss of job, etc. 

Had the special enrollment as a result of covid closed?

[chiks24 11]

9 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Had the special enrollment as a result of covid closed?

@payxibka

 

Unfortunately, Texas does not seem to be on the list of the states allowing open enrollment for people who did not have health insurance before this. Here, it's only for those that already had coverage and have lost it/will lose it.

[SusnOwen 132]

Have you looked into non-ACA compliant plans?  I am not sure if these would meet the immigration criteria, but there are emergency medical short term plans available that will cover major medical emergencies, not basic care.  It was a trend in certain areas a few years back where people were using Concierge doctors and paying out of pocket for basic care, but having an emergency / major medical type plan that would cover situations needing hospitalization or surgery.  It was a much lower cost for that type of insurance than for regular medical insurance.

[Villanelle 4,121]

For clarity- You can get insurance through your employer or through marketplace. When its through the employer you have to speak to the HR dept about what qualifies for open enrollment. You did that and it seems you missed the window. If you get a new job- it would have to be a new employer (switching job titles at the same company does nothing, you are still employed with the same company). So if you start working for a different company you are going to be subject to their (new) rules. Typically there is a wait before you are eligible for joining their health insurance (apx 3 months on average). Timeline wise it may not help because in a few months you will be able to use marketplace!.... Marketplace has its own rules for open enrollment. It has been 7 months from when you married and Im not sure if they would allow you open enrollment still. You can try though. I would suggest going to the marketplace website and clicking the link to find local help near you. The website is probably going to auto reject you, you want a real person to help, if theres a way for them let you enroll they will do it. 

[chiks24 11]

On 7/8/2020 at 9:15 AM, SusnOwen said:

Have you looked into non-ACA compliant plans?  I am not sure if these would meet the immigration criteria, but there are emergency medical short term plans available that will cover major medical emergencies, not basic care.  It was a trend in certain areas a few years back where people were using Concierge doctors and paying out of pocket for basic care, but having an emergency / major medical type plan that would cover situations needing hospitalization or surgery.  It was a much lower cost for that type of insurance than for regular medical insurance.

@SusnOwen

 

I've looked at United Health short-term plans. They seem affordable. However, I was wondering in terms of immigration perspective - would it be considered a "negative factor" when looking at our application since it is not ACA-compliant?

 

Also, can just the beneficiary get the health insurance, or do the immigration officers also look for whether the petitioner has it or not?

[chiks24 11]

22 hours ago, Villanelle said:

For clarity- You can get insurance through your employer or through marketplace. When its through the employer you have to speak to the HR dept about what qualifies for open enrollment. You did that and it seems you missed the window. If you get a new job- it would have to be a new employer (switching job titles at the same company does nothing, you are still employed with the same company). So if you start working for a different company you are going to be subject to their (new) rules. Typically there is a wait before you are eligible for joining their health insurance (apx 3 months on average). Timeline wise it may not help because in a few months you will be able to use marketplace!.... Marketplace has its own rules for open enrollment. It has been 7 months from when you married and Im not sure if they would allow you open enrollment still. You can try though. I would suggest going to the marketplace website and clicking the link to find local help near you. The website is probably going to auto reject you, you want a real person to help, if theres a way for them let you enroll they will do it. 

@Villanelle

Thank you for that insight. I guess getting a new job may not help my case. However, at my current position, the benefits started a month after starting my job. 

[SusnOwen 132]

2 hours ago, chiks24 said:

@SusnOwen

 

I've looked at United Health short-term plans. They seem affordable. However, I was wondering in terms of immigration perspective - would it be considered a "negative factor" when looking at our application since it is not ACA-compliant?

 

Also, can just the beneficiary get the health insurance, or do the immigration officers also look for whether the petitioner has it or not?

I wish I had an answer to that question, sorry!  How did you get around the requirements for having insurance and not paying a penalty on your taxes?  

[chiks24 11]

5 hours ago, SusnOwen said:

I wish I had an answer to that question, sorry!  How did you get around the requirements for having insurance and not paying a penalty on your taxes?  

There was no penalty for not having insurance.

[SusnOwen 132]

11 hours ago, chiks24 said:

There was no penalty for not having insurance.

https://www.mydollarplan.com/penalty-for-no-health-insurance/#:~:text=The tax penalty for no health insurance varies,insurance penalty fee will increase based on inflation.

 

It's been in place for a while now.

[ProbeGT 43]

If you are able to move (drastic, I know) that would be considered a life event and you can then enroll.