Medicaid

[arscjc18 0]

Hi Everyone,

I have a question that hopefully can get answered.

I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant (it was a total surprise), and I am a US Citizen.

Since it wasn't planned, I don't have maternity insurance.

I'm unemployed, but my husband works fulltime, and makes enough for us to live comfortable.

Now the issue, I'm planning to apply for medicaid, since my husbands makes under 185% of poverty line we can qualify.

But my husband is now on his 2 year residence card, and we had to get a sponsor to help us out.

The reason why I'm a little hesitant to apply for medicaid, is that I don't want to put the sponsor in any liability.

So my question is, if I apply for medicaid (just coverage for the pregnancy, I will not be applying for any food stamps etc.), will

the sponsor be liable in any way?

I've read some places that the sponsor won't be liable, because I'm a US Citizen, and I'm asking for medicaid just for the pregnancy.

Hopefully someone has been in my shoes, and can help me out.

Thank you.

[milimelo 4,581]

Hi Everyone,

I have a question that hopefully can get answered.

I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant (it was a total surprise), and I am a US Citizen.

Since it wasn't planned, I don't have maternity insurance.

I'm unemployed, but my husband works fulltime, and makes enough for us to live comfortable.

Now the issue, I'm planning to apply for medicaid, since my husbands makes under 185% of poverty line we can qualify.

But my husband is now on his 2 year residence card, and we had to get a sponsor to help us out.

The reason why I'm a little hesitant to apply for medicaid, is that I don't want to put the sponsor in any liability.

So my question is, if I apply for medicaid (just coverage for the pregnancy, I will not be applying for any food stamps etc.), will

the sponsor be liable in any way?

I've read some places that the sponsor won't be liable, because I'm a US Citizen, and I'm asking for medicaid just for the pregnancy.

Hopefully someone has been in my shoes, and can help me out.

Thank you.

There's no liability to the sponsor as you're a USC.

[v333k 59]

There shouldn't be a problem at this point. You are a USC and entitled to whatever programs the US Gov't provides - regardless of your spouse's status. For the ROC phase, all you need to show is that you are still married and living together.... no financial dependencies are required.

[arscjc18 0]

Thank you so much for your quick replys.

Now I can take a deep breath, and get the papers going!

Can't wait!

[NickD 203]

Thank you so much for your quick replys.

Now I can take a deep breath, and get the papers going!

Can't wait!

We had this discussion some time about the immigrant spouse applying for Medicaid, to the best we could find, even she was eligible for Medicaid without imposing against the I-864. But it must be a complicated process as looking through our yellow pages, many attorneys are listed that only deal in Medicaid applications.

This is crazy, I was told by my mom she bore me at home, country doctor came over late, cut the cord, slapped me on the butt, and filled out the birth certificate and charged her ten bucks. When my son was born, had poor insurance, but the entire prenatal care, delivery, and hospital cost me 460 bucks. Then my granddaughter recently was born, just two days in the hospital, that bill came to over 16,000 bucks!

No wonder why we have to have some kind of medical insurance. Especially if you own anything, if you don't pay the bill, they will take all your stuff away, if you don't own anything, don't get billed. I think this is all suppose to change, but haven't seen it yet, we are paying 14,000 a year for medical insurance, crazy.

[antda 13]

Hi Arscjc18,

Congratulations on the pregnancy! Good luck to you and your family with the new baby!

In answer to your question: (I posted this on VJ before, but I thought it would help you out here too)

Yes, with the high cost of healthcare here in the USA, you definitely need health insurance for your family, especially for you and your unborn child.

There are many options out there, so you do have to look around, depending on costs, healthcare needs, conditions, etc.

Bear in mind though, that a lot of health insurance companies here in the USA see pregnancy as a "pre-existing condition", which might result in higher rates or no coverage at all. But yes, there are many health insurance companies out there, so shop around for your healthcare needs there!

Worst-case scenario, you might be able to apply for medicaid here in the USA, as you are a US Citizen, and is entitled to such, and your unborn child as a future US Citizen is entitled to such too, and you can apply on your USC's child's behalf.

Medicaid though, is dependent on income and/or other resources, so you have to further inquire about that.

Note too, that this does NOT affect your immigrant husband's immigration case, as you are the USC and your husband the immigrant/non-citizen is not applying for medicaid or for any other means-tested-benefit (if they did, that would be another story...). (lol....you're lucky that you are the USC already...it would be harder if it was the other way around, and the wife is the immigrant instead...trust me...I've had my share of 'immigrant healthcare dilemmas' while pregnant too.....lol..). It does not affect your co-sponsor either, as the co-sponsor is a USC and sponsored your husband the immigrant, not you, the USC.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the immigration journey and good luck with the baby too.

Ant

P.S. And if I were you, I would apply for food stamps and other help too, if need be, and if you are eligble for such as a US Citizen.....After all, they cannot deny a USC the help that they are qualified and entitled for!

By the way, personally, I think that overall having a baby helps your case too...

Lol..What better way to prove a genuine marriage than a baby...Just a thought....

Hi Everyone,

I have a question that hopefully can get answered.

I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant (it was a total surprise), and I am a US Citizen.

Since it wasn't planned, I don't have maternity insurance.

I'm unemployed, but my husband works fulltime, and makes enough for us to live comfortable.

Now the issue, I'm planning to apply for medicaid, since my husbands makes under 185% of poverty line we can qualify.

But my husband is now on his 2 year residence card, and we had to get a sponsor to help us out.

The reason why I'm a little hesitant to apply for medicaid, is that I don't want to put the sponsor in any liability.

So my question is, if I apply for medicaid (just coverage for the pregnancy, I will not be applying for any food stamps etc.), will

the sponsor be liable in any way?

I've read some places that the sponsor won't be liable, because I'm a US Citizen, and I'm asking for medicaid just for the pregnancy.

Hopefully someone has been in my shoes, and can help me out.

Thank you.

Edited June 18, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA