health insurance crisis

[rocks 494]

Nothing, if that's the path you choose, evidently it works well for you!

I hope he can find an insurance policy for his wife that doesn't have a long waiting period for pregnancy. I had this problem with BCBS. Good luck OP!

[Caryh 5,206]

What's wrong with the easy way?

There was really nothing hard about the way I did it for us. Went to HR and filled out the form adding her. HR turned the form into the insurance company. Insurance company told HR they couldn't until she had a SSN. HR told me. I said I'm sure they can, they only use it for identification and only my SSN appears on the insurance card. HR person and I called the insurance company and asked them to check if there was another way. They left us on hold for a while, then returned with oh yes we can. That was certainly as easy as submitting the form again after we got the SSN for her.

[rocks 494]

There was really nothing hard about the way I did it for us. Went to HR and filled out the form adding her. HR turned the form into the insurance company. Insurance company told HR they couldn't until she had a SSN. HR told me. I said I'm sure they can, they only use it for identification and only my SSN appears on the insurance card. HR person and I called the insurance company and asked them to check if there was another way. They left us on hold for a while, then returned with oh yes we can. That was certainly as easy as submitting the form again after we got the SSN for her.

You got lucky, not all people have this experience. I got the impression that the OP didn't know his wife was entitled to a SSN, all he needs to do is apply for one and give that to the insurance company he chooses to go with.

[Teddy B 17,252]

You got lucky, not all people have this experience.

True, but thanks to people like Caryh, more people now will. If he chose the easy way and simply complied with what he was told, even though it was wrong, his wife could have become ill or been in an accident with no medical coverage.

[Teddy B 17,252]

True, but thanks to people like Caryh, more people now will. If he chose the easy way and simply complied with what he was told, even though it was wrong, his wife could have become ill or been in an accident with no medical coverage.

Just to clarify, my saying "true" was directed at the fact that not all people have this experience. As for Caryh getting lucky, I disagree, he was persistent in what he knew was right and stuck with it. For that, more people will now have an easier time getting their benefits without an ssn.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

When you have an immigrant spouse, you suddenly find out how many people don't know how that immigrant can be accommodated in society.

But really - did I know anything about immigrants in America before I was married to one? Did any of us here?

I think if we nicely insist to workers in America that there might be a "better way" to help our spouses, they won't mind. I think we need to do that to help cut down on practices that be construed as discriminatory.

PS - DMV's will operate differently than banks, credit unions, insurance companies, etc. Oftentimes the documentation required for a driving license is actually state law - not just some mumbo-jumbo "policy". So research the requirements in your state before you go.

[^_^ 5,021]

But really - did I know anything about immigrants in America before I was married to one? Did any of us here?

Yes. Lots of us come from immigrant families...

[rocks 494]

PS - DMV's will operate differently than banks, credit unions, insurance companies, etc. Oftentimes the documentation required for a driving license is actually state law - not just some mumbo-jumbo "policy". So research the requirements in your state before you go.

It is not a state requirement to have a SSN for a driver's permit here. The woman at the DMV I'm talking about is notoriously rude, anyone who has ever been to this DMV knows who she is. She was rude years ago when she did my husbands driving test. At least she's consistent with her hatred of people.

[Caryh 5,206]

When you have an immigrant spouse, you suddenly find out how many people don't know how that immigrant can be accommodated in society.

But really - did I know anything about immigrants in America before I was married to one? Did any of us here?

I think if we nicely insist to workers in America that there might be a "better way" to help our spouses, they won't mind. I think we need to do that to help cut down on practices that be construed as discriminatory.

PS - DMV's will operate differently than banks, credit unions, insurance companies, etc. Oftentimes the documentation required for a driving license is actually state law - not just some mumbo-jumbo "policy". So research the requirements in your state before you go.

I've gone through a world of learning since I became involved with my wife.

Your view matches mine. I'm not on any crusade, I've just learned if you don't stand up for yourself, no one is going to do it for you. And the average person just plain doesn't know there is a different way. 99.999 percent of the time the person they're dealing with does have a SSN. When something happens that they've never done before, their natural reaction is to say it can't be done rather than looking up if it can be done. I could have just accepted it, but thats now how I deal with any difficulties. I look for the solution, rather than accept there is none. Its fine if there doesn't turn out to be one, like SSN's being required for drivers licenses in some states. Nothing you can do about that, its the law. But most of the time there is a way around these problems if you look for it.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Yes. Lots of us come from immigrant families...

Mea culpa.

[mambocowboy 0]

Mea culpa.

Tried to go to Soc Sec office today without her since it's close to work and was told she needs to be there in person; they have a point, so I'm taking off work tomorrow to go to Soc Security with her. We'll see how it goes. They say they need a letter stating why she needs a SSN, so I've printed out the letter I received from HR stating she needs a SSN to enroll in my benefit plan...We'll see how it goes....

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Tried to go to Soc Sec office today without her since it's close to work and was told she needs to be there in person; they have a point, so I'm taking off work tomorrow to go to Soc Security with her. We'll see how it goes. They say they need a letter stating why she needs a SSN, so I've printed out the letter I received from HR stating she needs a SSN to enroll in my benefit plan...We'll see how it goes....

Erm.

The SS office doesn't need a letter telling them why they should give her a number.

There supposed to just give her a number because she's eligible for it.

You might have to get a supervisor if the clerks at your SS office are that silly.

[rocks 494]

Tried to go to Soc Sec office today without her since it's close to work and was told she needs to be there in person; they have a point, so I'm taking off work tomorrow to go to Soc Security with her. We'll see how it goes. They say they need a letter stating why she needs a SSN, so I've printed out the letter I received from HR stating she needs a SSN to enroll in my benefit plan...We'll see how it goes....

Please refer to post #2

Go and get a SSN. It's free and she is entitled to it. Here's the guide for getting a SSN.

[mambocowboy 0]

Please refer to post #2

Everything went smoothly with Soc Sec. The guy helping us said he didn't need the letter to my employer. He said 3-4 weeks for delivery of soc sec card and she's even eligible to work in the US due to k1 visa. Thanks for the advice guys...

[rocks 494]

Everything went smoothly with Soc Sec. The guy helping us said he didn't need the letter to my employer. He said 3-4 weeks for delivery of soc sec card and she's even eligible to work in the US due to k1 visa. Thanks for the advice guys...

Glad you got the SSN problem sorted.

Just so you know, she isn't legally able to work until you file for AOS and receive either a work permit, which takes about 3 months, or her GC arrives, which will take longer.