The unluckiest wedding ever (and an I-134 clarification)

[walkerr06 0]

Howdy friend VJers,

So my foreign fiance made it here just fine, and is, as a matter of fact, now my foreign husband!

The troubles, however, are pretty terrible. Chuck was admitted to the hospital for a second time yesterday (he was admitted the night before and the day after the marriage), and he no longer has his Dutch insurance. However, since we just got married, we haven't been able to add him to my insurance yet.

It is looking like he needs surgery, and I know you're all aware that this isn't cheap. What worries me is the part of the I-134 that says I can be sued if he becomes a public charge of the state, and that he can't receive food stamps, social security, temporary assistance for needy families, etc. Is this something that would apply to a private program through a hospital?

Has anyone had a similar experience? I hope not, because it's really awful to spend your first night as a married couple watching your new husband puke up bile, but I just hoped someone on here would have some wisdom to offer.

Thanks all,

b

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I've moved your topic from the K-1 Forum - since it no longer relates to the K-1 process and procedure - to the 'Moving Here and Your New Life in America" forum as a more appropriate location for your concerns. Hopefully, you will get the information you need as well as some support here.

Moderator's hat off . . . .

I'm so sorry to hear about your problems - what an unhappy way to start your new life together. Is he not able to be added to your health insurance through work retroactively to your marriage? That is often considered a life changing event and allows changes in ones health insurance program other than waiting for the annual enrollment time. Even though you can't apply until after marriage, it should cover back to the time of marriage. Your insurer may require proof that your husband was insured prior to enrolling in your insurance, so he may need to get a statement about the coverage he had in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, if there is too big of a gap between then and your marriage they may not cover his illness if it relates to a pre-existing condition.

The I-134 is actually not enforceable, which is why when your husband applies to become a permanent resident (gets a green card through adjustment of status - AOS) you have to file another affidavit of support, this time using the I-864 form, which is enforceable. It is basically a contract between you as the sponsor and the government stating that if your husband uses any means tested benefits you may be held liable for repaying the government. A private program through a hospital would not be considered a means tested benefit and would not come under consideration for either the I-134 or the I-864.

Good luck and I hope your husband has a quick and uneventful return to good health.

[candn 17]

I've moved your topic from the K-1 Forum - since it no longer relates to the K-1 process and procedure - to the 'Moving Here and Your New Life in America" forum as a more appropriate location for your concerns. Hopefully, you will get the information you need as well as some support here.

Moderator's hat off . . . .

I'm so sorry to hear about your problems - what an unhappy way to start your new life together. Is he not able to be added to your health insurance through work retroactively to your marriage? That is often considered a life changing event and allows changes in ones health insurance program other than waiting for the annual enrollment time. Even though you can't apply until after marriage, it should cover back to the time of marriage. Your insurer may require proof that your husband was insured prior to enrolling in your insurance, so he may need to get a statement about the coverage he had in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, if there is too big of a gap between then and your marriage they may not cover his illness if it relates to a pre-existing condition.

The I-134 is actually not enforceable, which is why when your husband applies to become a permanent resident (gets a green card through adjustment of status - AOS) you have to file another affidavit of support, this time using the I-864 form, which is enforceable. It is basically a contract between you as the sponsor and the government stating that if your husband uses any means tested benefits you may be held liable for repaying the government. A private program through a hospital would not be considered a means tested benefit and would not come under consideration for either the I-134 or the I-864.

Good luck and I hope your husband has a quick and uneventful return to good health.

Working in human resources as the benefits administrator, some companies (ours is one) do not allow the addition of new spouses mid-month as we pay monthly and do not allow for mid month additions. We start benefits for spouses first of the month following the event. The only immediate adds are new babies. It sounds like this may be the case with the OP. If she married her spouse in the middle of the month, it may be impossible to enroll him at the point in which they wed.

[Boiler 45,559]

OP made no suggestion she has access to Corporate Medical Insurance or any Insurance.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

OP made no suggestion she has access to Corporate Medical Insurance or any Insurance.

Actually, she did . She said: "since we just got married, we haven't been able to add him to my insurance yet."

[amykathleen2005 441]

I believe that there is actually an emergency Medicaid program specifically for immigrants who have service emergencies that need treatment.

[amykathleen2005 441]

I believe that there is actually an emergency Medicaid program specifically for immigrants who have service emergencies that need treatment.

*serious not service....

[sea-monkey 13]

What type of surgery? Why can't you add him to your insurance just yet? Aren't there county hospitals for people with no insurance?

http://www.211info.org/

Call 211. They can point you in the right direction. You can dial 211 from most all places in USA for cases like this.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Howdy friend VJers,

So my foreign fiance made it here just fine, and is, as a matter of fact, now my foreign husband!

The troubles, however, are pretty terrible. Chuck was admitted to the hospital for a second time yesterday (he was admitted the night before and the day after the marriage), and he no longer has his Dutch insurance. However, since we just got married, we haven't been able to add him to my insurance yet.

It is looking like he needs surgery, and I know you're all aware that this isn't cheap. What worries me is the part of the I-134 that says I can be sued if he becomes a public charge of the state, and that he can't receive food stamps, social security, temporary assistance for needy families, etc. Is this something that would apply to a private program through a hospital?

Has anyone had a similar experience? I hope not, because it's really awful to spend your first night as a married couple watching your new husband puke up bile, but I just hoped someone on here would have some wisdom to offer.

Thanks all,

b

I am sorry to know that your husband is having health problems. Hopefully, he will be quick to recover after his needed surgery.

There should be an Elegibility Specialist or Social Worker at the hospital who should be able to help you and your husband figure this out. They should be happy to help you add your husband to your private insurance or file for Emergency Medicaid, if appropriate. There is also payment arrangements that you can make based on your income.

Best wishes!

[NikosF 6]

The troubles, however, are pretty terrible. Chuck was admitted to the hospital for a second time yesterday (he was admitted the night before and the day after the marriage), and he no longer has his Dutch insurance. However, since we just got married, we haven't been able to add him to my insurance yet.

It is looking like he needs surgery, and I know you're all aware that this isn't cheap.

Surgery in this country can be mind-numbingly expensive. And to add insult to injury they charge non-insured higher rates than insured patients.

I think your two options are : 1) beg your company to add him to your policy, or 2) he gets on a plane to the Netherlands and is taken care of there. There will be a delay before he can return to the US though - but that's probably better than becoming bankrupt and losing your home over this.

[Boiler 45,559]

I was thinking the same.

[Justine+David 218]

Call HR today and let them know.

My company does it retroactively from the date of marriage as long as you file within 30 days of marriage--check to see if yours does. So sorry you're going through this

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Weam sorry to hear about your husband, we'll keep him in prayers for a speedy recovery, I can talk from personal experience since each state is different, a visit to HR might clarify some of the info regarding the coverage policy at your company.

Here in california and at most companies, Marriage is considered a life changing events, therefore you have 30 days from the date on your marriage certificate to notify HR and they will add your spouse to your coverage. If you fail to do so during that timeframe then you have to wait until Open Enrollment around november timeframe.

Actually, she did . She said: "since we just got married, we haven't been able to add him to my insurance yet."

[LaL 418]

Regardless of retroactive insurance to the date of their marriage - the hiccup might occur when determining if the illness is a "pre-existing" condition - ie: he went to the hospital BEFORE their wedding as well (and therefore before eligibility to her policy).

[Yellowhead 12]

Howdy friend VJers,

So my foreign fiance made it here just fine, and is, as a matter of fact, now my foreign husband!

The troubles, however, are pretty terrible. Chuck was admitted to the hospital for a second time yesterday (he was admitted the night before and the day after the marriage), and he no longer has his Dutch insurance. However, since we just got married, we haven't been able to add him to my insurance yet.

It is looking like he needs surgery, and I know you're all aware that this isn't cheap. What worries me is the part of the I-134 that says I can be sued if he becomes a public charge of the state, and that he can't receive food stamps, social security, temporary assistance for needy families, etc. Is this something that would apply to a private program through a hospital?

Has anyone had a similar experience? I hope not, because it's really awful to spend your first night as a married couple watching your new husband puke up bile, but I just hoped someone on here would have some wisdom to offer.

Thanks all,

b

I would get on it asap and speak to your provider about the issue. They may decline to put him on the insurance immediately as his condition right now would prove to be an immediate charge for the company. We all know that most of the insurance companies are out to accomplish one thing, and unless you happen to have a miracle worker for a representative, it might be hard to have them cover the costs. Never rely on the possibility that they might make the insurance retroactive back to your date of marriage. A simple surgery in the US can cost over $200,000. I was visiting during the summer (with travel insurance, thank god!) and got bit by a dog and it cost $2300 just to have a band-aid and some neosporin put on my wound. No stitches or anything. I would speak to the hospital, get a quote for the services he needs, including doctors charges which can add substantially to the total cost if they aren't included in that quote, and figure out if you can both handle it financially. You may also want to look into the universal health care bill that was passed (not sure what it is called, or the details), as it might have some sort of clause that relates to your husband and your situation as a US Citizen with a spouse in need of care.

If these options don't work, I would keep the thought of sending him home to have the surgery in the back of your mind. It would likely be cheaper to do that than to pay outright for the services in the USA. If you are paying out of pocket, think about bringing him somewhere where medical fees aren't as expensive (such as Canada...) where it will be less of a burden on you financially. I am not sure how that would work, but Canadian hospitals cannot refuse service to people generally, and the cost is at least 50% less than the USA.

I hope it all works out. You have to love (sarcasm) those tests that get thrown at us when we least expect it. Where there is a will, there is a way. Best of luck to you both.