Adding Your Husband to Health Insurance

[RonelllovesHamdi 0]

Hey everyone I just wanted to ask a question to anyone who their husband entered the country on K3 or CR1 visa. Was it a big deal about adding them to the health insurance plan at your work?

My husband entered the country on 3/26/09 but we were married in Egypt on 5/23/07. My company says my husband entering the country is not a qualifing event to change the insurance for this year. So he can not be covered until 2010.

Anyone else experience this problem?

[100% Al Ahly Fan 53]

Hey everyone I just wanted to ask a question to anyone who their husband entered the country on K3 or CR1 visa. Was it a big deal about adding them to the health insurance plan at your work?

My husband entered the country on 3/26/09 but we were married in Egypt on 5/23/07. My company says my husband entering the country is not a qualifing event to change the insurance for this year. So he can not be covered until 2010.

Anyone else experience this problem?

I wondered about this as well, I'd love to know the answer as well. Thanks for asking.

[nurse1967 287]

That is correct. You could have added him if you had presented your marriage contract within 30 days of your actual marriage. Now you will have to wait for open enrollment next year.

[Ahmed N Tina 2]

That is correct. You could have added him if you had presented your marriage contract within 30 days of your actual marriage. Now you will have to wait for open enrollment next year.

Fraid Betsy is right. I didn't add my hubby till open enrollment cause we didn't know when he'd be here, but was sure it wouldn't be in 6 months. He ended up having insurance for 2+ years before getting here. But you do have to wait for open enrollment to come around since you're out of the 30 day "event" time period. Good luck!

Edited May 5, 2009 by Ahmed N Tina

[Nothing1234 2]

That is correct. You could have added him if you had presented your marriage contract within 30 days of your actual marriage. Now you will have to wait for open enrollment next year.

That's correct. 30 days from the qualifying event (marriage)...even though he was not here yet, he would have been covered till he arrived. Some insurance companies have overseas coverage and he might have benefited from being covered then.

[Berber Mama 5]

I was unable to add my husband to my insurance policy (BCBS) until he had his SSN.

[hassan_debbie 4]

I was unable to add my husband to my insurance policy (BCBS) until he had his SSN.

That was illegal and you could get them in trouble for that. You can call the social security office to verify this but it's on their flyer they give out about what you need a social security card for and not for. You do not have to have a social security card to get health insurance. I added my husband to my health insurance at work way before he even filed for a social security card.

Deb

[Nothing1234 2]

I was unable to add my husband to my insurance policy (BCBS) until he had his SSN.

That was illegal and you could get them in trouble for that. You can call the social security office to verify this but it's on their flyer they give out about what you need a social security card for and not for. You do not have to have a social security card to get health insurance. I added my husband to my health insurance at work way before he even filed for a social security card.

Deb

Me too,

[Berber Mama 5]

I was unable to add my husband to my insurance policy (BCBS) until he had his SSN.

That was illegal and you could get them in trouble for that. You can call the social security office to verify this but it's on their flyer they give out about what you need a social security card for and not for. You do not have to have a social security card to get health insurance. I added my husband to my health insurance at work way before he even filed for a social security card.

Deb

Yeah, well that was a couple of years ago and thankfully we had already applied for his SSN through the DS-230 so he got it within two weeks of arriving. If not, I would've raised more heck about it.

[doodlebugg 10]

I think each state must be different because for us, his arrival was the qualifying event and I was able to add him no problemmo. I was able to add him before he got his SS number but I had to give it to them once we go it since in Massachusetts you get a slip stating that you are covered under some type of health insurance program and you have to send it in with your tax return.

[VivianNYC 1]

I think each state must be different because for us, his arrival was the qualifying event and I was able to add him no problemmo. I was able to add him before he got his SS number but I had to give it to them once we go it since in Massachusetts you get a slip stating that you are covered under some type of health insurance program and you have to send it in with your tax return.

I hope NY state has the same policy as MA, humpkinpumpkin - it never occurred to me that my husband's arrival (June, insha'allah) wouldn't be a "qualifying event" I just emailed my company's benefits person and hope to hear back tomorrow. I'll kick up a stink if they say he doesn't qualify. Who can afford not to be insured in the USA for 6 months until re-enrollment - I'd be a nervous wreck the whole time something might happen to him and he's not covered. That could bankrupt us. And how can an employee afford to pay the extra spouse rate for the whole year when you don't know what part of the year they'll be here. Anyway, I won't get mad till I hear back.

[nurse1967 287]

I think each state must be different because for us, his arrival was the qualifying event and I was able to add him no problemmo. I was able to add him before he got his SS number but I had to give it to them once we go it since in Massachusetts you get a slip stating that you are covered under some type of health insurance program and you have to send it in with your tax return.

I hope NY state has the same policy as MA, humpkinpumpkin - it never occurred to me that my husband's arrival (June, insha'allah) wouldn't be a "qualifying event" I just emailed my company's benefits person and hope to hear back tomorrow. I'll kick up a stink if they say he doesn't qualify. Who can afford not to be insured in the USA for 6 months until re-enrollment - I'd be a nervous wreck the whole time something might happen to him and he's not covered. That could bankrupt us. And how can an employee afford to pay the extra spouse rate for the whole year when you don't know what part of the year they'll be here. Anyway, I won't get mad till I hear back.

Unfortunately kicking up a stink won't help. I didn't get my final divorce papers within 30 days and they wouldn't let me add my daughter to my benefits until the next open enrollment. Unfortunately I think they stick to these rules pretty well.

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

It's up to the insurance company, or maybe sometimes the policy holder (the employer)... If a policy holder really wanted to allow someone to have coverage before "open enrollment" I would bet my last piaster they could "influence" the insurance carrier to make an exception based on "unusual" circumstances... Rules and Policies are not laws... (and are meant to be broken... )

Did anyone appeal to the Benefits Manager? I surely would... (if I had an employer and health insurance that COULD cover my husband... if we got married in Egypt.... and THEN he came here).... but I don't... so CHA CHING.. $$$$$ out of pocket... no open enrollment for us.....

[brnidokiegurl 0]

i had NO problem, all papers were done even before the SS arrived then when it came i just gave them the number NO PROBLEMS

[Wantedtobelieve 4]

As soon as we married, I added him to my insurance as a "change in life" or whatever it is called.