Change in insurance after filing

[BlindSide 0]

Hello all,

A bit of back story: I was underemployed (lots of contract and part-time jobs) during most of 2012. I was and still am a dependent on my wife's insurance policy.

In February I got a full-time job with a good salary, and full health insurance.

Sent packet for removal of conditions a couple of weeks ago. Got notice of action ("a biometrics appointment will be scheduled"). We included 1099-HC form showing me as a dependent, as part of the evidence.

Here's the question:

Economically, it would be much better if my wife dropped me as a dependent from her health insurance, and I joined my employer's plan. It would save us ~$250/mo (not exactly pocket change).

How much of a problem would be it, as far as my removal of conditions go, to do this? Would USCIS actually check in the following months to see if I'm still a dependent? Could I send some form of "update" explaining why I'm no longer a dependent?

I know the application approval may take months, and it would look much better if I were still listed as a dependent until everything is taken care of. But saving those $250/mo would make a huge difference as far as our bills are concerned.

[Kastrs 723]

I cannot comment here on your entire situation but one thing you may not be able to switch insurance because of the enrollment period, most jobs have open enrollment sometime in October or November for the following year. There may not be a good way for your wife to drop you from her insurance until next year.

[Audy_Rob 26]

Yes, but when you join a job you are eligible to sign up for the benefits usually within 30 days. Any life event, marriage, divorce, adoption, having a baby etc... allows you to make changes to benefits without having to wait for the open enrollment.

For the OP, I would definitely change the insurance and save the 250/month. USCIS will not actually go and check the validity of you being a beneficiary of the wife's policy. If they did and sent you an RFE, they would request an explanation. Keep all of the paper work and explain you made the change for 250/mo savings. They certainly will understand that reasoning.

Go do it. Good luck.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello all,

A bit of back story: I was underemployed (lots of contract and part-time jobs) during most of 2012. I was and still am a dependent on my wife's insurance policy.

In February I got a full-time job with a good salary, and full health insurance.

Sent packet for removal of conditions a couple of weeks ago. Got notice of action ("a biometrics appointment will be scheduled"). We included 1099-HC form showing me as a dependent, as part of the evidence.

Here's the question:

Economically, it would be much better if my wife dropped me as a dependent from her health insurance, and I joined my employer's plan. It would save us ~$250/mo (not exactly pocket change).

How much of a problem would be it, as far as my removal of conditions go, to do this? Would USCIS actually check in the following months to see if I'm still a dependent? Could I send some form of "update" explaining why I'm no longer a dependent?

I know the application approval may take months, and it would look much better if I were still listed as a dependent until everything is taken care of. But saving those $250/mo would make a huge difference as far as our bills are concerned.

Not a problem at all. They look for documentation that you have a legitimate marriage. Married people usually try to avoid doing STUPID things like paying too much for insurance.

It is more important that she is your emergency medical contact and that you have other evidence that you have a legitimate and intelligent marriage. Also, you are not required to send any updates on the changes in your insurance. IF you have an interview and they ask, then inform them of the changes. Otherwise...non issue.

[Navyk 78]

Hello all,

A bit of back story: I was underemployed (lots of contract and part-time jobs) during most of 2012. I was and still am a dependent on my wife's insurance policy.

In February I got a full-time job with a good salary, and full health insurance.

Sent packet for removal of conditions a couple of weeks ago. Got notice of action ("a biometrics appointment will be scheduled"). We included 1099-HC form showing me as a dependent, as part of the evidence.

Here's the question:

Economically, it would be much better if my wife dropped me as a dependent from her health insurance, and I joined my employer's plan. It would save us ~$250/mo (not exactly pocket change).

How much of a problem would be it, as far as my removal of conditions go, to do this? Would USCIS actually check in the following months to see if I'm still a dependent? Could I send some form of "update" explaining why I'm no longer a dependent?

I know the application approval may take months, and it would look much better if I were still listed as a dependent until everything is taken care of. But saving those $250/mo would make a huge difference as far as our bills are concerned.

Health Insurance is one of the evidences and not the only one - Go ahead and change your health insurance, if it saves you money and as long as your other evidences are fine, and it should be fine.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Navyk