Health insurance before marriage?

[STEBEA1 1]

Once my hubby got his SS # and we got our marriage certificate, I was able to get him on my job's health insurance without a problem. If your spouse has insurance with the job, it's easier. Before my hubby had insurance through my job, we got insurance through Atlas insurance, which gave us travel (immigrant) insurance to cover medical circumstances that were not pre-existing.

We later discovered that some hospitals/medical centers offer financial assistance based on your income so the need for health insurance isn't as dire and you don't have to spend an arm and leg to get medical care.

In addition, we found out that there are some free clinics that offer certain medical and dental services. Of course, you would have to have less to no income to qualify for the services. Check with for services around your area. You'd be surprised what's out there.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck!

Edited April 17, 2012 by STEBEA1

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Your travel insurance likely wouldn't be playing out, as you are not travelling, you are immigrating. We got BlueCross Blue Shield short term insurance.

[Ron4 22]

Um I would never trust an insurance company that only charges $60/mo. A single doctor appointment costs more than that. All you have to do is have a baby to eat up that deductible, and the insurance company knows that. My parents complain about their insurance and they pay close to $1200/mo.

Generally, citizen or not, most insurance policies require a 6 month waiting period when going a certain period of time without it unless you can prove you had coverage before hand. Some policies do not, mine does not. Typically once you get married, you would go on your spouses insurance, and you would check with their policy to see what the terms are.

An insurance company won't give you insurance for $60 a month if you have a baby. The price depends on your situation and age. And with a $2500 deductible it will be a while until the insurance kicked in. $60 a month is pretty common for a young single or couple with no kids and high deductible. I pay $80 now let's see what happens when I add my new wife and son.

[Lisa and Ian 7]

Do I just go in with my passport / visa and request it?

This is the reference we used. Look in the K1 section: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

[Sayha or bust. 71]

We just got my husband's social security card in the mail. It is just a matter of whether USCIS has input your info into the computer from when you arrived in the U.S. It took us about four weeks to get it after we went to the Social Security office.

We were eligible also but the ssi office gave us the run around so we didn't apply till we got her Ead. We really didn't need the card anyway. My insurance company through my job put my fiancee and her 2 kids on it after we married. Was able to put her on the utilities and cable bill, water etc with out also, wouldn't be too worried about it

Edited April 18, 2012 by Sayha or bust.

[Golden Gate 530]

We were eligible also but the ssi office gave us the run around so we didn't apply till we got her Ead. We really didn't need the card anyway. My insurance company through my job put my fiancee and her 2 kids on it after we married. Was able to put her on the utilities and cable bill, water etc with out also, wouldn't be too worried about it

That's good! I am just worried because I don't have any household bills in my name at the moment, as we live in my Dad's basement apartment, so I am trying to put his name on my bank, get his insurance, etcetera, for combined finances. I wanted to get his card for his driver's license.