BigBubble

I happy because I paid $0 as it was covered by my health insurance, which expires soon with my H1B visa so I was lucky. But Ii I didn't have one the prices are around $200-$250

Hey Thanks, just discovered that I dont have one because I didn't came to the US with a fiance visa (I think that's the name), I came with a work visa. Yo I guess I should leave it blank or write N/A?

Hi All,

I am just curious if i have an Alien Registration Number. I wanna know where to find it. I need your help because I am filing AOS forms now. Thanks in Advance.

Upper right corner of the NOA2 letter. Also on your I-94 card

mine wasnt printed on my I-94 card but its on the NOA2 near your name! good luck on your journey

I dont have one. Is that possible?

I see, VJ timeline. I can't add one because I still didn't send my forms . I am waiting for my vacation time in order to have more time to prepear myself.

His plan just does not allow to join wife or kids, too bad. But anyway i hope I will have one once I get a job. I will just need to have a temporary one.

I confused about the term "deductible". What does it mean?

"Deductible" means the difference between what you pay out of your pocket and where the insurance begins paying. Let's say that you have insurance with a $200 deductible for medical procedures. You undergo a procedure that costs $450. You would pay $200, and your insurance company would pay the remaining $250.

Also, please create your VJ timeline!

TBone thanks for your answer. But what is a "VJ timeline"?

We paid 153 dollars for 30 days for myself (35 years old- rates depend on oldest applicant), my husband and two kids under 2 years old with a 1000 dollar deductible for hospital visits, but no deductible for doctor visits (so the kid's vaccination visits etc were fully covered). If it had been just myself, it would have cost 57 dollars.

That is really cheap! I have just started a new job and have a 90 day gap between coverage, COBRA is prohibitively expensive so I ended up buying a BCBS individual plan to cover me and my husband until my new insurance kicks in. Unfortunately BCBS don't offer short term plans in Washington state so I'm looking at one of their "regular" plans and the cost is about $400/month for 2 healthy adults (the oldest applicant is 33, $3000 ded, 70/30 coverage). Still, it's cheaper than COBRA which is about 3 times that amount

I confused about the term "deductible". What does it mean?

Have a read of this: http://www.medical-billing-coding.org/Content246.htm

Thanks for the link kaffy, it was relly helpful

I finally found one who answered to some of my questions. So if I get an RFE or have some problems after filling my files I will hire him for sure! You see? it's a way to win clients as well, so that thing about "something for nothing" it's just nonsense.

Hi y'all! B)

I have been emailing some lawyers to ask them a couple of questions about my AOS, but all of them are asking me to pay from $150 to $250 for the first phone consultation, and for just a 10-15 min chat . I think that's ridiculous, so I was wondering if you can post here some lawyer's contact info (email) who are willing to accept a first free consultation, that way we don't have to spend such a fortune.

Thanks a lot!

If you have not found a lawyer yet... don't... unless you have a complicated case with legal problems, police record or a visa overstay. Otherwise it really is a waste of money when you can do everything yourself. I know it can be overwhelming but you can get a lot of answers here on VJ. If you have any specific questions send them to me. My husband and I would be more than willing to help if we can.

Thanks you so much! I was not able to work on the forms these days (too much work) but I am sure I will have some questions soon

We paid 153 dollars for 30 days for myself (35 years old- rates depend on oldest applicant), my husband and two kids under 2 years old with a 1000 dollar deductible for hospital visits, but no deductible for doctor visits (so the kid's vaccination visits etc were fully covered). If it had been just myself, it would have cost 57 dollars.

That is really cheap! I have just started a new job and have a 90 day gap between coverage, COBRA is prohibitively expensive so I ended up buying a BCBS individual plan to cover me and my husband until my new insurance kicks in. Unfortunately BCBS don't offer short term plans in Washington state so I'm looking at one of their "regular" plans and the cost is about $400/month for 2 healthy adults (the oldest applicant is 33, $3000 ded, 70/30 coverage). Still, it's cheaper than COBRA which is about 3 times that amount

I confused about the term "deductible". What does it mean?

Not Penguin but first you want to check whether BCBS offers their short term plan in your state/county. Go here http://www.bcbs.com/ enter your zipcode and it'll tell you what products are available in your area.

Also, I asked this earlier but can your husband add you to his existing plan? That would be the easiest and most cost efficient way for you to get coverage

Sorry Kaffy that i didn't reply to you before. Unfortunately he can't add me in his plan, that really sucks

I have Bluecross now but since my H1B visa expires soon I will be without coverage untill I can work again

When we first moved over, we took out Blue Cross Blue Shield short-term cover. It is valid from 30-180 days, and you can renew after that if neccessary. It's great cover (ER emergencies, GP visits, ambulance, diagnostics etc), though of course no pre-exisiting conditions are covered.

Hi Penguin. How much did you pay for Blue Cross short term cover?

Thanks!

Yeah, haha! i am also considering becoming a lawyer after that!

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about getting a health insurance, since it may take some months between I send my AOS paperwork and I get my work permit. So I was looking for some short term health insurance but I am kind of lost. Can anybody give me some suggestions about a good health plan and not very expensive? Yeah, I know it may be impossible in this contry but i feel stress if I don't get any coverage

Wow, there was one yesterday who wanted to charge me $250 just for a 15 min consultation!! Geezz

I agree with what everyone else has said,, regarding the lawyer. If I made more then $300 per hour maybe a lawyer

might be worth it. But,,, He will not double and triple check everything like I would. And an RFE because of a typo

or just plain missing something. Would make the cost a hard slap in the face. Mostly cause you paid for their

mistake,,, twice,,, in $$$ and time.

Use a lawyer for problems,,, not a secretary filling out forms.

Good Luck,

Hey, I love your last sentence!

"Use a lawyer for problems,,, not a secretary filling out forms."

Thanks!

Exactly...and do you have some answer to that or just that "nothing for nothing"?

Gosh that sounds scary!

Hi y'all! B)

I have been emailing some lawyers to ask them a couple of questions about my AOS, but all of them are asking me to pay from $150 to $250 for the first phone consultation, and for just a 10-15 min chat . I think that's ridiculous, so I was wondering if you can post here some lawyer's contact info (email) who are willing to accept a first free consultation, that way we don't have to spend such a fortune.

Thanks a lot!

Dear friends,

I have an appointment next week with a civil surgeon for my medical exam. I have read that for the TB test you have to come back in 48 hours. Is it true? It really sucks since my civil surgeon is more that 2 hours away so i will miss two days of work

Well, I have been working here so I have my ID and SS card with my maiden name. A consulted a lawyer and he told me it's better to use your maiden name and then change it to married name at the interview...which I didn't really understad what he meant

Wow, there was one yesterday who wanted to charge me $250 just for a 15 min consultation!! Geezz

If you are trying to save time, don't use a lawyer. Think of all the extra time you have to spend to go over everything with the lawyer. Rather just fill out the paperwork, make photocopies and mail it in. Use a lawyer if you have a difficulty in your case.

I think this is what I'm gonna do. Just fill them myself and if there are some issues, then hire one. After all, i will be on vacation soon so i will have plenty of time to go over the forms Thanks for the advices

I was considering the option of filling the forms myself and then hire an attorney if there are some RFE's. What do you think?

I am for a AOS but from a different visa, I am on a H1B.

The one I talked to and liked most, wants to charge me $1800 with the RFE included if they are any. I am considering of hiring him just for the interview process. Well, my case should be simple but I have a misdemeanor conviction, the lawyer said it shouldnt be a problem but that's why i am that worried (specially because of the interview)

How do you know how good they are if you don't have any references?

That's a fair question. I am confident in one outfit that would certainly know what it is doing -- http://www.fosterquan.com -- the largest immigration-law firm in Houston. They helped me immensely on consular issues, and I got far more than what I paid for their (very reasonable) e-mail consultation fees. Take a look at their website and consider contacting or hiring them. I have no connection with the firm except the positive experience outlined above.

Thanks T-Bone, I don't live near Houston, would it be a problem?

Gosh! Seems like some of them really suck! How do you know how good they are if you don't have any references?

Hi everyone,

We are considering the option of hiring a lawyer to help us with the AOS process as we really don't have much time and energy to deal with it. The problem is that I was shocked when I asked today for a quote to a couple of them and they wanted to charge me $1500 and $1800 (not including the USCIS fees!!!).

Is it normal? How much did you pay for your lawyer if you used one?

Thanks!