Experiences with Medical Insurance

[Chuckles 0]

I have been looking into what it will take to put my wife on my insurance policy at work, when she arrives. All the documentation I have found just indicates she must have a ss # and of course a valid marriage certificate.

Has anyone had any problems with this? Is there something I am missing? Does she need to have a green card? Anyone with real-world experience in this area?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I have been looking into what it will take to put my wife on my insurance policy at work, when she arrives. All the documentation I have found just indicates she must have a ss # and of course a valid marriage certificate.

Has anyone had any problems with this? Is there something I am missing? Does she need to have a green card? Anyone with real-world experience in this area?

Well, as a general piece of advise, don't wait for the SSN. We did. Big mistake. By that time, my former employer declined the coverage until open enrollment as she should have enrolled w/in 30 days of her arrival (the qualifyinf event). A K3, of course, can't get a SSN within 30 days of arrival as one has to obtain the EAD first and then apply for the SSN. As a result, Nani was w/o coverage for almost a 3/4 of a year. Fortunately, nothing happened during that time.

For a K1, just make sure that you hit the "window" (usually 30 days from the qualifying event) to get her enrolled. A green card should not be required as long as you guys are married.

[kc456 0]

Green card is not required. She could be out of status/on another visa for all they care as long as she's your wife. What's important, as ET-US says, is to get her on the plan within the required period after marriage (qualifying event) -- normally 30 days. They may want an SSN (I presume for tracking purposes), but if she has none, I don't think that would be a problem if you explain that to your HR. But I'd research this ahead of time, so that there are no surprises.

[Widge 0]

As you are going the K-1 route you can apply at your local Social Security office for SSN when she arrives (best to wait for two weeks so that docs she hands in at POE are processed and she is in the system) Then as stated when you marry you can add her to your works policy (as stated usually within 30 days). After marriage you also have to go back to SS and change her name on the social security card.

[Jenn! 918]

It was fairly straightforward for us. My husband got his SSN a few weeks after arrival. We got married soon after, and I enrolled him immediately in my helath insurance. They didn't even ask for a marriage certificate, only SSN.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

After marriage you also have to go back to SS and change her name on the social security card.

Only if there is a name change...

[TracyTN 237]

Most employers let you add someone to your coverage after marriage, because it is considered a 'qualfiying event'. But, as stated above, I believe she will need an SSN.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If no SS number I assume you can add the person using a default number or xs (like xxx-xx-xxxx), much as you would a child that doesn't yet have an SS number. This is what people do at my company.

[eau_xplain 2]

My husband added me (and my son) to his (company-paid) medical insurance. All he did was provide our names to the company that manages their benefits the day after we got married. My son and I did not even have SSN at that time as we were still putting together our AOS application. Our medical coverage took effect 1 week after that (and my son even got to use it right away). I've read on here that requiring an SSN varies from one medical insurer to another.

[Chuckles 0]

Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful !!

[Cassie 8]

We got married 6 days after I entered the US, and it took a week after that for me to be put on his insurance -- I had no SSN, hadn't applied for AOS, nothing.

[germangel 0]

Hi everyone,

my hubbie doesn't currently have insurance, he was insured with the Army and now he's a full-time student and isn't with insurance.

I called some ppl and they told me that I can't have insurance unless I have been in the US for 3 years as a permanent resident.

All I could do is a health plan but no real insurance...

What was he talking about? Advice anyone??

[kc456 0]

I called some ppl and they told me that I can't have insurance unless I have been in the US for 3 years as a permanent resident.

All I could do is a health plan but no real insurance...

What was he talking about? Advice anyone??

What do you mean by a "health plan" and "real insurance"? Can you explain. It seems more of semantics issue: health plan vs insurance. Need more details. I've not heard of 3yr perm resident requirement. You'd be better off calling an insurance provider directly and inquiring about their rules. Try Kaiser or Blue Shield/Blue Cross.

[germangel 0]

the thing is that I didn't really know what they were talking about either. He just said that you have to be a permanent resident for 3 years to be eligible for insurance. The difference is I guess that you pay the bill (or 80% of it) yourself and then send in all the stuff and get the money back or whatever.That's a health plan and it's cheaper and more of a hassle.

I was just smacked in the face by that stuff, as I have never heard of any restrictions like that, especially since I am married to a USC.

Well, guess I will have to get more info and ignore that guys advice for now.

thanks for your response

[kc456 0]

the thing is that I didn't really know what they were talking about either.

Who are these "people" that you spoke to? Friends, acquaintances, insurance agents, HR reps, health plan customer service people?