Insurance in the states

[StaceyG 0]

I'm applying for my AOS in a week or so. I'm down here on a K-1 and I'm running into the same old problem everywhere. I cant get on anything, because I'm not a perm residence to the US. I went to the SSN office to get my SSN and they had to mail away cause they said I don't have my EAD so I cant get my SSN. Without my SSN I cant get on any bank accounts, or my licence or anything.

Now most recent after two months of paying and waiting my husbands insurance through his work place ( he's a firefighter/paramedic in Indianapolis) say they can't insure us because of my status in the country is not considered perm. Or that is at least what Anthem is telling him. They are saying we have to wait to July to apply during open enrollment.

My issue is I have two children and they cannot go without insurance. Well I am here and in this situation does anyone know if I can apply for Medicare, Or whatever the government insurance is, for my children? Or is it a bad thing to my AOS to be on any government funded programs? I'm confused at what to do and seems I'm running into to road blocks every which way I turn. This being the biggest

[Krikit 1,164]

Wow. You are dealing with some screwed-up information. ((((Hugs))))

1st..... a K-1 visa holder can apply for a SSN up to 74 days after entry. They cannot approve you if you are within two weeks of your I-94 expiring, however. So..... if you did not apply before then, they are correct.... you cannot receive one now until you have your EAD.

Insurance companies don't make you wait for open enrollment when it's a life-changing event. In this case..... getting married. You are a legal resident and are going through the proper channels. Have your husband escalate the call until he speaks with someone who knows what they're talking about.

My bank allowed me to use my husband's SSN until I received my own. Some people have had a problem with this. Some have not. It all depends on the bank and who you talk to. Again, go ahead and escalate the issue until you speak with someone who knows their stuff. Either that or find a different bank.

[thetreble 19]

Well I am here and in this situation does anyone know if I can apply for Medicare, Or whatever the government insurance is, for my children? Or is it a bad thing to my AOS to be on any government funded programs? I'm confused at what to do and seems I'm running into to road blocks every which way I turn. This being the biggest

I don't think you can apply for any government sponsored programs right now while you are waiting for your AOS. I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think you'd be entitled to any benefits here in the US.

As Kirkit said, when you married your husband the insurance company should have no problem putting you on the benefits. I have heard people having problems with this in the past though.

[StaceyG 0]

My husband got off the phone with the person taking care of his insurance through work. And Anthem says they will not accept me on his health care or the children because we are considered out of country regardless to being married and we have to wait until open enrollment.

As for my SSN I went well before my I-94 was going to expire and they still couldnt give me a number, the guy was really nice and even knew that I was allowed one but the computer wouldn't issue it, so he had to fill out the paperwork and had it sent away to the main office or head office. I'm waiting on a answer on my SSN still.

Edited January 27, 2009 by StaceyG

[JillA 2]

The SSN info he is giving you doesn't seem to be right. Many of us, myself included got an SSN 2-3 weeks after arrival with no problems whatsoever. It just states on the card "Not valid for work authorization without approval from DHS". As soon as I was married, like the day after my husband faxed a copy of our marriage cert and K-1 to his HR dept and I was added to his benefits, for this I didn't even need a SSN. I guess that depends on each company - different rules.

[trailmix 77]

I have heard of people who went to get their SS number and were told it could not be issued as they were 'not in the system' yet.

Was this the case with you Stacey?

[StaceyG 0]

Nope it showed me in the system he could find everything but said he was missing a number to order it, cause I didnt have my EAD.. I dont know what the deal is he sent it out and said I should hear something or receive it in 40 days.

My major worry is the insurance, even though we are married and they got the marriage cert. they wont insure any of us. All they or anyone will say is we are " considered out of country" and that we have to apply in July when open enrollment is happening. I have called everyone and cant seem to find out why they are doing this. Its fustrating cause it seems insurance companies in the US can do about anything. The messed up part is if we wait till July there will be no difference in my status in the country at that point but some how they can approve us at that time.

I have looked into to temp. insurance for 6 months and almost all of them I find want an SSN and medical records, they also wont take out of country medical records. So its like people in the country in the right manner, following the rules are getting the run around or go without like an illegal would. I have called and called, asked to be transfered to supervisors or managers, and it isnt getting me anywhere. Im very fustrated at this point !

[BermyCat 1]

That is weird. Phil's work insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield. Phil was told that he had thirty days to enroll me after our wedding (considered a life changing event). HR had to get on the phone with a manager there though because the first person she talked to didn't know what to do about me not having a SSN yet. Apparently I just have to get it to them as soon as I get it.

For my SSN, they sent of to DHS because I wsn't in the system yet. That was only a couple of weeks ago so hopefully I'll here from them in the next couple of weeks. They told me to expect a letter saying they got permission to give me the number and then the card will turn up about two weeks after that.

~ Catherine

[thetreble 19]

Well actually I will say this. I could only add my husband to my insurance (when I became a state worker) in October during the open enrollment period. Even though he is the American and everything, if I would have started work after October, I would have had to wait until October to add him. That is true.

[Krikit 1,164]

Well actually I will say this. I could only add my husband to my insurance (when I became a state worker) in October during the open enrollment period. Even though he is the American and everything, if I would have started work after October, I would have had to wait until October to add him. That is true.

That's true.... you wouldn't have been able to add him until open enrollment because you were already married when you acquired your policy. Only life-changing events (getting married, having a baby) opens a window for you to make amendments and, like BermyCat says, there's a short window of time in which to do so.

Which brings me to this, Stacey. Ask them what they do in the situation where a policy holder gives birth. Do they tell the policy holder that that child cannot be enrolled until the next open enrollment or do they allow them in as a life-changing event? What if that child was adopted from another country? Is that child considered an "out of country" life-changing event until the next enrollment period? See if you can find their policy manual or request a copy of it if you don't have one. Your husband's benefits employer should have a copy on hand. Then go through it with a fine-tooth comb. I'll even help you. Some American insurance companies operate under a deny-deny-deny rule until they are pinned down and something sticks.... only then will they relent. There's a member on here who used to work for one and I recall her talking about it.

[Levi_Heather 0]

My husband got off the phone with the person taking care of his insurance through work. And Anthem says they will not accept me on his health care or the children because we are considered out of country regardless to being married and we have to wait until open enrollment.

As for my SSN I went well before my I-94 was going to expire and they still couldnt give me a number, the guy was really nice and even knew that I was allowed one but the computer wouldn't issue it, so he had to fill out the paperwork and had it sent away to the main office or head office. I'm waiting on a answer on my SSN still.

My husband went for his SSN 13 days before his expired and wasn't able to get his. Has to wait until AOS and all that now. Also my bank wouldn't add him to my account because he has no SSN. I'm afraid alot want that.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Stacey, they were out and out wrong at the SSN Administration office in denying you a SSN. Here is the process that they go through with a K-1. (I was denied the first time I went as well until I got the exact process they had to follow and took it back to them. The counter person went and talked to her supervisor then came back and processed me):

You might want to print out this information. You can find it pinned to the top of the "Working and Travelling before you get a green card" forum at the top under 'Working in the US'.

:: For K1 Visa Holders ::

As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do

not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA

offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior

to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.

You should wait 2 weeks after you arrived in the US before applying for a SSN. If you go too soon your

record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the

USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they can not verify you arrival record via the SAVE database, you may allow them to to process it (but remember the potential delay for manual verifications). You can ask if they will check the computer again for you in a few days or return personally to have them look again -- thus eliminating the manual verification. The manual verification will require the SSA office to file a G-845 with the USCIS.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These

documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:

1.

The SS-5 form you downloaded and filled out (they have some at the office if you forget).

2.

your Passport (with the K-1 Visa in it)

3.

your valid I-94

4.

another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)

5.

You should also bring the document RM 00203.500 that you printed out

Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware

that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not

you could be turned away incorrectly.

Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks. You can check on the status of the SSN application and/or often get the SSN in advance by returning in person (try calling) to the SSA office. If you need your SSN before it arrives in the mail you may ask them for an SSA-7028, Notice to Third Party of Social Security Number Assignments, to be sent to your employer or other interested third party once a SSN has been assigned. Your card, when you receive it, will be marked with the words "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION" indicating to an employer that you must also have an unexpired EAD to be eligible to work.

[chris11xb 0]

Stacey, if your husband is a member of the Indi firefighters union, I would suggest contacting one of the member services reps. Sometimes when the benefits are dealt with on the City side of things, they need a little encouragement from the union/association side of things. If he pays dues, there should be someone there with the know-how of what needs to happen to get things moving for you guys.

Lori (and Chris)

[Krikit 1,164]

Stacey, if your husband is a member of the Indi firefighters union, I would suggest contacting one of the member services reps. Sometimes when the benefits are dealt with on the City side of things, they need a little encouragement from the union/association side of things. If he pays dues, there should be someone there with the know-how of what needs to happen to get things moving for you guys.

Lori (and Chris)

Excellent advice. Ask them, ask the benefits manager, ask the HR rep to intervene. The squeaky wheel always gets oiled.

[StaceyG 0]

Thank you all for you responces, I will take this information and see what I can do. Again thank you all for the help on the situation.