Health Insurance Questions

[Jviddy 1]

What are everyone's plans for health insurance when they move to the states.

It can be really expensive if not included with your employment and most insurance companies won't touch you for the first 6 months.

I had thought about taking out a long trip travel insurance but guess that with no returned planned that might be invalid.

Interested to know what everyone else it doing.

[UKHusband 1]

Haven't thought that far ahead personally, but interested in the responses for sure!

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

**** Moving from DCF to Moving Here and your New Life forum *****

Trip/ travel insurance won't cover you as you are not travelling, you are immigrating. We took out short term insurance until we could get all the screenings etc for private insurance.

[kayleighanddanny 7]

**** Moving from DCF to Moving Here and your New Life forum *****

Trip/ travel insurance won't cover you as you are not travelling, you are immigrating. We took out short term insurance until we could get all the screenings etc for private insurance.

How much did that cost and how did you go about getting it?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

It'll depend on your age and how long you want it for, as well as the state you live in. It goes for a max of 180 days, but you can renew if neccessary. Here is an overview for Texas: http://www.bcbstx.com/coverage/individual/temporary.html

[LauraDP 10]

The kids and I will actually be covered by my husband's health care benefits (from his new job) by the time we moved out so I have not had to investigate this from the immigrant perspective. My husband, however, will be in the US for almost 2 weeks before he starts work and his insurance kicks in so he has been researching short term insurance packages. As Penguin stated above, travel insurance will not cover you. It is valid for travel as a tourist but not when you are a resident immigrant. You need to look for short term insurance. There are lots available. My husband is working his way through a list of them because he needs to contact them all to figure out how it will work that he will be in temporary accommodation for the period of the cover (while he finds somewhere to rent) but if you have a US address you are going to then it makes it much more straightforward.

Best wishes

Laura

[NikLR 13,227]

Personally I am just waiting for the open period in my husband's work insurance so we can add me to it. Until then, I'm just more careful. Considering how many times I went to the hospital in the last 2 years, I think I'll be okay. *knock on wood*

[Pooky 3,786]

Personally I am just waiting for the open period in my husband's work insurance so we can add me to it. Until then, I'm just more careful. Considering how many times I went to the hospital in the last 2 years, I think I'll be okay. *knock on wood*

Do you need to wait for the open enrollment window, or does your immigration count as a change in circumstances?

You might want to check on this, as my insurance covered the step kids from Day 1, when they each decided (at different times) to come have an extended stay with us.

[NikLR 13,227]

Do you need to wait for the open enrollment window, or does your immigration count as a change in circumstances?

You might want to check on this, as my insurance covered the step kids from Day 1, when they each decided (at different times) to come have an extended stay with us.

He told me checked and they couldn't add me until the enrollment window. I just trust he did so.

[Pooky 3,786]

He told me checked and they couldn't add me until the enrollment window. I just trust he did so.

I'm surprised, as I have a really crappy ( in the better half's opinion) insurance company.

Hope you find a workable solution soon.

[NikLR 13,227]

It's the US govt... they're a pissy bunch sometimes. LOL The open period should be Oct or Nov... I think I'll be okay until then. No mountain climbing for me! lol