What do you do about health insurance during the transition period

[slowlyman 118]

With the interview behind us, we're looking at the next challenges.

How do you handle health insurance between the time the beneficiary enters the country and the time you get married? I think most folks rely on employer based insurance. I believe you will need to be married before you can put your fiance on the company insurance, and there may be an additional waiting period after you sign up.

I'm self employed, so that creates a whole different set of problems. I've been calling around and nobody wants to even enroll her.

Just curious how others are handling this issue.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Travel insurance.

[ACAwan 8]

I wish i had an answer for you, as i am still waiting for my 129F to be approved. i saw the topic and i was interested too about what others are doing about this situation.

I wish you well!!!

[Bayareaguy 156]

Check out this link posted earlier by Hank, this is probably what you are looking for: http://www.immigrationhealth.com/plans.htm

[slowlyman 118]

Travel insurance.

Could you be more specific? All the policies I looked at so far do not cover travel to the US.

Check out this link posted earlier by Hank, this is probably what you are looking for: http://www.immigrationhealth.com/plans.htm

Have you used this site?

[Bayareaguy 156]

Have you used this site?

I have not, but am planning on using it when the time comes.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Could you be more specific? All the policies I looked at so far do not cover travel to the US.

Seriously? Just about all travel insurance covers travel to the US/anyway. Maybe it's country specific? My mother used "cover more insurance" I think it was called.

there's lots of different kinds.

Remember, it's for travel, not immigration.

[slowlyman 118]

Seriously? Just about all travel insurance covers travel to the US/anyway. Maybe it's country specific? My mother used "cover more insurance" I think it was called.

there's lots of different kinds.

Remember, it's for travel, not immigration.

ok, I'll have to look again. I have used "insuremytrip.com" for years. But always going to Thailand not the other way. Going through a few polices last night, they all said no US travel.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Here's some:

- http://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/prices-and-benefits-country.aspx?Country=THA

- http://www.worldnomads.com/

- http://www.worldcare.co.th/en

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I have not set our plans in stone, but since technically she isn't immigrating, we are going to purchase travel insurance for her as we've done for each trip so far only this time get it for a longer period of time, and then get her on my employer policy after we are married. Not sure what to do when you're self employed, although I think it might be worth looking into the new health exchanges when they open up for those types of circumstances. Below is a link to the California system which is the first one that I've heard of so far, although they are supposed to all be up and running later this year.

http://www.coveredca.com/

[slowlyman 118]

I have not set our plans in stone, but since technically she isn't immigrating, we are going to purchase travel insurance for her as we've done for each trip so far only this time get it for a longer period of time, and then get her on my employer policy after we are married. Not sure what to do when you're self employed, although I think it might be worth looking into the new health exchanges when they open up for those types of circumstances. Below is a link to the California system which is the first one that I've heard of so far, although they are supposed to all be up and running later this year.

http://www.coveredca.com/

Ya, the exchanges are a big unknown right now. Our Governor opted out, so we only have the federal plans to work with. Will be interesting to see if it is really any savings.

Here's some:

- http://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/prices-and-benefits-country.aspx?Country=THA

- http://www.worldnomads.com/

- http://www.worldcare.co.th/en

Oh, i see, you approached it as a Thai resident. I din;t think of that.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Oh, i see, you approached it as a Thai resident. I din;t think of that.

That's what I meant by she's a visitor. Until she has an EAD or a GC she is simply visiting the US and is still a resident of Thailand.

[Andy and Pui 16]

I am guessing right now she is covered by health insurance in Thailand. If you get one of those that Vanessa linked before she comes here. Once she gets here and gets a SSN maybe try and get a quote from a a health insurance provider like Blue Cross Blue shield, Medica, UnitedHealth, or whatever health insurance you decide to go with. That way there will be no break in insurance coverage I just do not know how you would prove she had insurance in Thailand.

[slowlyman 118]

she does not have insurance in Thailand. She pays something like 25 baht when she needs to go in to the doctor.

She was just complaining, she went to a clinic in Bangkok and had to pay 500 baht. I wish I could get out of the doctors office for $16.00 Lol

Edited June 28, 2013 by slowlyman

[Bugs 455]

I'm wondering what to do if my employer only has "open enrollment" during a set time of the year, meaning that is the only time I can add family members, and she comes and marries me well before the next open enrollment period starts. For instance, open enrollment is in October, and she comes in December. I have to wait until the following October before I can add her to my employer's plan.

Edited June 28, 2013 by Leon & Mylen