UK to USA health insurance question!

[SSBH22 0]

I have recently married my British husband and we will move back to the USA after we file all the proper paperwork. We have been together two years now, and he is in remission from testicular cancer. Does anybody have any clue what form of health insurance we can initially seek for him because it may be difficult as he is a cancer survivor. I have no idea how we should go about this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Please note I do not have American health insurance because I work as a freelancer in film & television, so I won't be able to cover him under my own plan just yet.

[Reba 2]

which visa type is he going for?

Do a google search for "immigrant insurance" there are a few companies that'll sell basic emergency insurance for new immigrants, as an interim plan until he gets a job and can get coverage thru work. If he plans to work that is.

These plans are really just for emergency use, they're not everyday type plans for regular doctor visits and whatnot.

Sorry I can't help much, you'll probably just have to do some reasearch with insurance companies in the state you're moving to to find something for him. And its going to be very very expensive.

[severinep 0]

Hi there,

The only thing you can do would be to look for your own insurance. Try blueShield/BlueCross website. It gives you quotes.

[cguytx 0]

My wife and I are in a similar situation. Most major medical plans will not cover immigrants if they are not in country for at least 12 months and have a valid social security number. Forget getting coverage for preexisting conditions as well even pregnancy is considered pre existing.

I was able to secure a medical savings plan membership for my wife to cover %70 of hospitalization and prenatal which has no exlusions. Yes, we will still be stuck paying 30% of the bill but it is better than no coverage at all.

For those with a pregnant pre-existing condition, there is also a program that will limit your costs called maternity card here in the US, it is NOT insurance but gives you access to negotiated rates with hospitals and doctors.

The medical savings plan is underwritten by a company called Designer Savings Plan underwriters for Secure Healthcare Solutions 1-800-566-0078. It can be used short term until you can get your spouse into a major medical plan on your own or through your work. If anything it can help you limit the high medical expenses we have here in the United States and not put you into a financial hole from the start.

I am not endorsing any of these just posting my experiences in dealing with insurance companies over the last few months of looking for a solution to our situation.

[luv2teach77 41]

Check out this link.

It was posted on another immigration forum by a woman who was able to get pre-existing conditions recognized by a US insurance company after getting a letter from her UK doctor. It also explains how proof of National Insurance contributions (automatically deducted from your husbands wages and shown on his payslips) will often meet the requirement to be previously enrolled in an medical insurance plan because it effectivly shows 'enrollment' in the NHS.

I don't know if it will work in your husbands case or not but it certainly has some useful info and will give you somewhere to start.

Mark

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I wonder if a NHS registration card would work as proof of prior insurance????

Kezzie