Health Insurance

[kytwell 179]

When the wife and I got married in March of this year, I went to add her to my health insurance and they said I couldn't do it, because she needs a SS#. At that time I didn't think anything of it as we were going through the process and she wouldn't be here until end of 2011 anyway(open enrollment for benefits at work). Well now it's open enrollment period at work. I was told the same thing again. So I did some research. According to Social Security website, a SS# isn't required. I then sent an email to a Blue Cross/Blue Shield rep, my employers provider and was advised of the same thing. Armed with the email printout from BC/BS rep and the SSA FAQ sheet, I went to enroll my wife today without a SS# and they again refused. They're still saying that one is required. So I then asked about when she does get here, after the open enrollment season if I'd be able to add her when she gets her SS#? They said NO, because it will be more than 30 days since the actual change of life event(the marriage). I can't go any higher than I did, Human Resources Manager, unless I want to contact the County Commissioners, since I work for the County.

What gives here? Anyone else face any thing similar to these issues?

[bigdog 377]

Go get her a social, easy done.

[kytwell 179]

She's not here yet

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

My employer also uses BC/BS and I have added a total of 3non-resident alien dependents to my health insurance prior to them being issued Immigrant Visas so they didn't have SSNs.

Maybe you could ask someone at BC/BS to contact your employer and correct the misunderstanding?

[StormHeraldEDM 5]

I have had the same issue with my employer - of course, this frustrates me even more because I am a nurse!

As of this date, I have not found a work around. My employer has called the insurance (with me on the phone, 3-way call) and the supervisor stated there was no work around, it was policy. We even wrote to corporate and received one of those polite "Thank you for your inquiry" letters, that repeated the same answer.

Just keep lodging those complaints and keep your records - maybe some attorney will eventually take them to court over it and we'll have a chance to get our spouses on our insurance

[Carmi 4]

OMG I never thought of this.. I will have the same issue then once my husband gets here as open enrollment starts on Nov 15 and it will be a year since "life event" took place. Do you guys think that a letter from SSA that you requested SSN will be valid to add husband to insurance policy? In my case my husband should be here in the USA by Nov 10 so we could request SSN the same day. The I94 will do to request SSN? how long does it take to get SSN on the mail?

[Done--Really 331]

It really depends on the company. My insurance company was more than happy to add my wife without a SS# until they learned she was not yet living in the US, so the answer was no, which actually makes sense since there was no way she could have come here for any services anyway since she didn't yet have a visa--a real catch 22. But as soon as she is here--next week--they will add her with just a copy of the I-551 stamp in her passport.

[kytwell 179]

Magical, your company doesn't have any issue with when the actual change of life occurred? My handbook clearly states: "within 30 days." If not we need to do it during the open enrollment period.

[Done--Really 331]

It is Oxford health and I am self employed, so I had never thought about it, but I guess I AM the employee handbook !!!

[calibob 73]

Your HR is eaten up with ####### issues OP.......our HR added my wife with the Philippine equivalent of our SSN noting this, our marriage license and a copy of her Passport for evidence. She's still not here and is covered under certain Dr.s and we'll be reimbursed out of network if she needs major medical. DEFINITELY contact BC/BS and have them straighten out your employer. Best of luck!

Bob

[Done--Really 331]

I actually doubt it is BC/BS that is making the call here--every employer plan is negotiated separately, so you get only what your employer pays for, and if there are restrictions, it is quite possible they are imposed by the employer and not the insurance company

[calibob 73]

They required a SSN and my employer called BC/BS and clarified it over the phone while I sat there. I also work for a government entity but CA is much different than PA on such things. Still, I'd ask again and just because there is a rule of SSN doesn't mean there can't be exceptions......this isn't reinventing the wheel, this situation has happened before and probably will again. BC/BS knows the answer, your HR maybe not so.......

Bob

Our HR was very helpful and not just a "space filler on forms". She took the time to investigate the situation. Marriage is a life event and just because the HR has a problem with thinking outside the box shouldn't be the OP's problem.

Edited October 28, 2011 by calibob

[kytwell 179]

Thanks for clarification magical.

@calibob, I have sent an email to BC/BC to get clarification. Also I was thinking after reading SSA site again, a K3 visa holder, wouldn't need a SS# since they're not authorized to work? They have to add their spouse somehow then.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10096.html

[antoneya 9]

OP, I had the same issue when my wife came over. But a major move/relocation is also a life changing event in my benefits package, so I was able to use that to add her. BC/BS just asked for a her passport copy with the visa stamp as proof.

[pushbrk 13,167]

It really depends on the company. My insurance company was more than happy to add my wife without a SS# until they learned she was not yet living in the US, so the answer was no, which actually makes sense since there was no way she could have come here for any services anyway since she didn't yet have a visa--a real catch 22. But as soon as she is here--next week--they will add her with just a copy of the I-551 stamp in her passport.

This is what my company did as well. They used her arrival as the life event, instead of the marriage date and enrolled both my wife and step daughter upon arrival. Since they arrived on a Friday evening August 30, and I couldn't officially notify them until Monday when it was already September, they back dated their enrollment to September 1.

Surely somebody with the county has the common sense to work this out with the insurance provider. A phone call between HR and the provider should clear things up. I would ask somebody from your own management chain in your department to intercede for you. If that doesn't work, take it up the ladder until you find somebody with enough common sense to understand that if they treat you unfairly in this matter and you incur medical expenses that should have been covered, they will be ultimately liable when you sue them. I'm not suggesting you threaten to sue, just find somebody who has the sense to figure that out on their own.