Jump to content
AshleyLCBaker

Health Insurance

By AshleyLCBaker in Australia and New Zealand

 Share

11 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

AshleyLCBaker Contributor

AshleyLCBaker   7

Posted
Filed: Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

Hey everyone,

I'm a USC and I've been living in Sydney for the past five years with my husband and now our 10 month old little boy. We want to move back to the States at the end of the year (2013). I moved to Oz when I was just out of college, so I'm a bit lost about the health insurance thing, because I've never had to deal with it on my own. My husband will be getting a job (hopefully!) with benefits after we move, but probably not until we get over there and he can go for interviews, etc. I was just wondering what we can do in that interim period while we're getting settled? Does anyone have any experiences with this?

I just want something in case of an emergency, particularly since we have a young child. We normally get travel insurance when we go to the States, but I wasn't sure if they would cover us since we're technically living there. My dad owns his own business and said he would put us on his plan for $700 a month, which I'm willing to do. I just wanted to see if there were other options and what other people in a similar situation have done. I'd love any stories if you have them!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
VanessaTony Grand Master

VanessaTony   3,567

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

Health insurance here is NOT cheap. It may be a better idea for your husband to move back sooner than you guys do, to get set up and find a job and everything. He'll need some form of income in order for you guys to get a place to live and it'll be easier for him to crash on friends/family couches without worry about you guys.

We're with United Healthcare now, but we were with Blue Cross Blue Shield. You can look at their sites to see rates and requirements.

Aussie K1 process - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/206016-australian-beneficiaries-packet-3-to-interview-date/
AOS, EAD & AP - the Aussie Way (including document list) - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/235331-aos-ead-ap-from-k1-the-aussie-way-doc-list-included/
ROC April 2012 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/358760-i-751-april-2012-filers/ (includes document list)
N-400 April 2013 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412738-n-400-april-2013-filers/ (includes document list)

N-400 Interview review - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412738-n-400-april-2013-filers/?p=6381814

N-400 Oath Ceremony review - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412738-n-400-april-2013-filers/?p=6537699
Aussie Chat page continued - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/331922-new-2011-land-downunder-aussie-aussie-aussie-oi-oi-oi/
Aussie Name Change on Passport Process - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/248400-australian-passport-name-change-process/
Travel on maiden name passport with married name GC, tickets in married name - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/183541-land-downunder-aussie-aussie-aussie-oi-oi-oi/page__view__findpost__p__4135806
Shipping Costs from Aus to US - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/293179-shipping-costs-aus-to-usa/

Notes:
- For my "standard" timeline please see timeline to the left
- For timeline with Aussie specifics & more detailed info, please see the "About Me" section of my profile

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Villanelle Experienced

Villanelle   4,122

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

Heres a gov website all about health insurance.

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Health/HealthInsurance.shtml

On the top left theres a box where you can enter your email address, directly under it is a box that says 'HealthCare.gov Insurance Finder' Answer a few basic questions on HealthCare.gov to view insurance options that meet your needs.

Select your state and who you are- family/individual/etc, youd say no you dont find it difficult to afford or else a bunch of stuff will come up offering advice on gov assistance programs, on the next page youre going to click to learn more about buying a policy from a prvt company. "Health Insurance Plans for Individuals & Families" Youd put in your zip code and birthdates. A page will come up with quotes and links to various company websites available in your area to give you a place to start. It also gives you definitions when you hover or click on words. Its somewhat easy site to use and a very detailed overview of how health insurance works in the US for people who have no idea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AshleyLCBaker Contributor

AshleyLCBaker   7

Posted
Filed: Country: Australia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the advice, y'all! I'm pretty sure we'll get insurance when my husband gets a job, but I just wasn't sure if there was anything that other people did in the short-term. If we absolutely need it, we may just get on my dad's plan in case of emergency. Thanks again!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JNEKG Explorer

JNEKG   4

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

There are other "new immigrant" options. You can google new immigrant health insurance. The one we found and will likely go with in the short term is Patriot America. It is essentially travel insurance for those who are leaving their 'home' country. its worth looking at for your situation though.

USCIS Stage - 10 days total from package received to approved

03/09/12 - I-130 package sent

03/12/12 - package received

03/14/12 - NOA1 received via email

03/22/12 - APPROVED - NOA2 received via email - USC living abroad (8 days)

03/27/12 - NOA2 received in mail

NVC Stage - 34 days from case number to case complete - including messy RFE

04/17/12 - Case has arrived at NVC

04/27/12 - Case number received (25 days from approval)- sent DS3032 via email

05/02/12 - AOS bill received via email

05/03/12 - AOS bill paid via portal & DS3032 accepted

05/04/12 - IV bill received and paid. AOS bill appears as PAID.

05/05/12 - IV bill appears as PAID. Still waiting on replacement marriage certificate.

05/11/12 - DS230 and I864 packages (without marriage cert) sent to joint sponsor before being forwarded to NVC

05/16/12 - marriage cert sent direct to NVC

05/17/12 - I864 and DS230 sent to NVC overnight via fedex - received 05/18/12

05/25/12 - checklist for original marriage and divorce certificates - marriage certificate delivered to NVC

05/30/12 - divorce certificate delivered to NVC

05/31/12 - AOS package accepted - thrilled!

06/01/12 - CASE COMPLETE!!!!!! (email received)

06/07/12 - Interview Date Assigned

06/08/12 - emailed Sydney IV to request earlier appointment - approved 07/03/12

07/11/12 - INTERVIEW DATE - APPROVED

10/06/12 - POE LAX (then onto Seattle)

121 DAYS FROM PETITION TO APPROVAL

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AshleyLCBaker Contributor

AshleyLCBaker   7

Posted
Filed: Country: Australia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

There are other "new immigrant" options. You can google new immigrant health insurance. The one we found and will likely go with in the short term is Patriot America. It is essentially travel insurance for those who are leaving their 'home' country. its worth looking at for your situation though.

Oh, that's perfect and the exact sort of thing I was looking for. Thanks so much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Xanax Proficient

Xanax   349

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks for the advice, y'all! I'm pretty sure we'll get insurance when my husband gets a job, but I just wasn't sure if there was anything that other people did in the short-term. If we absolutely need it, we may just get on my dad's plan in case of emergency. Thanks again!

I don't think you can get on your parents insurance if you're married, can you?

We became a couple : 2011-05-29
I visited him : 2011-10-28 - 2011-11-17
He visited me (and my crazy family) : 2012-02-05 - 2012-02-17
I-129F Sent : 2012-02-05
I-129F NOA1 : 2012-02-14
I entered on VWP to stay 3 months: 2012-04-11 - 2012-07-03
---
Went to get my medical done for interview in Australia (much cheaper in the US and I was already here):2012-05-20
Medical issue diagnosed
K-1 petition cancellation request sent to CSC : 2012-06-01
Married: 2012-06-21
Filed for AOS : 2012-08-08
NOA1 : 2012-08-10
Biometrics : 2012-09-14
EAD approved : 2012-10-16
Applied for SSN : 2012-11-01
Received SSN : 2012-11-13
Received interview notice :2012-12-27
Interview- APPROVED :2013-01-28
Green card received :2013-02-04
Baby girl born :2013-03-09

Filed for ROC :2014-12-05
NOA :2014-12-11
Biometrics : 2015-01-15

ROC Approval : 2015-05-14

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AshleyLCBaker Contributor

AshleyLCBaker   7

Posted
Filed: Country: Australia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

I don't think you can get on your parents insurance if you're married, can you?

No, you can't, but my dad owns his own business and can put me on the pay roll so we can use the insurance his company provides. We'd have to pay for it, but it'd just be until my husband gets a job. And my dad probably has to give me a job at his company for my domicile anyway, since I've been living in Oz for five years, so it should be fine!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Xanax Proficient

Xanax   349

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

That makes sense. Good luck with it all.

We became a couple : 2011-05-29
I visited him : 2011-10-28 - 2011-11-17
He visited me (and my crazy family) : 2012-02-05 - 2012-02-17
I-129F Sent : 2012-02-05
I-129F NOA1 : 2012-02-14
I entered on VWP to stay 3 months: 2012-04-11 - 2012-07-03
---
Went to get my medical done for interview in Australia (much cheaper in the US and I was already here):2012-05-20
Medical issue diagnosed
K-1 petition cancellation request sent to CSC : 2012-06-01
Married: 2012-06-21
Filed for AOS : 2012-08-08
NOA1 : 2012-08-10
Biometrics : 2012-09-14
EAD approved : 2012-10-16
Applied for SSN : 2012-11-01
Received SSN : 2012-11-13
Received interview notice :2012-12-27
Interview- APPROVED :2013-01-28
Green card received :2013-02-04
Baby girl born :2013-03-09

Filed for ROC :2014-12-05
NOA :2014-12-11
Biometrics : 2015-01-15

ROC Approval : 2015-05-14

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Xanax Proficient

Xanax   349

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks! Good luck with your upcoming little one! My son will be one on April 13th, so I was just about where you are this time last year!

Thank you so much! YAY for our little dual citizen babies :)

We became a couple : 2011-05-29
I visited him : 2011-10-28 - 2011-11-17
He visited me (and my crazy family) : 2012-02-05 - 2012-02-17
I-129F Sent : 2012-02-05
I-129F NOA1 : 2012-02-14
I entered on VWP to stay 3 months: 2012-04-11 - 2012-07-03
---
Went to get my medical done for interview in Australia (much cheaper in the US and I was already here):2012-05-20
Medical issue diagnosed
K-1 petition cancellation request sent to CSC : 2012-06-01
Married: 2012-06-21
Filed for AOS : 2012-08-08
NOA1 : 2012-08-10
Biometrics : 2012-09-14
EAD approved : 2012-10-16
Applied for SSN : 2012-11-01
Received SSN : 2012-11-13
Received interview notice :2012-12-27
Interview- APPROVED :2013-01-28
Green card received :2013-02-04
Baby girl born :2013-03-09

Filed for ROC :2014-12-05
NOA :2014-12-11
Biometrics : 2015-01-15

ROC Approval : 2015-05-14

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...