Health Insurance issue

[johna1 4]

Hello Everyone,

I am in a dilemma here. My wife recently migrated to the U.S about 4 months ago through the CR-1 Visa. We just found out that she is 1-month pregnant. Unfortunately, I cant add her to my insurance since the next open enrollment is January 2014. I was told by the HR from my work that I should had added my wife within the first 30 days of marriage. My argument was that she was overseas all these time but the HR wont buy it. They said I should had added my wife to the policy even without the Social Security Number. So I have decided to purchase the Private Health Insurace, Prices are high. But they denied us too stating that you have to be a resident of the U.S for atleast 6 months. We spoke with the Medicaid, they cant help us out either since we are above poverty income level. I dont know what to do, any help or suggestions is appreciated.

Edited August 27, 2013 by johna1

[joevegas 67]

I don't have any advice,but welcome to the screwed up health care system of the USA....

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I recommend talking to the doctor and hospital. They might give you discount rate for paying privately.

Otherwise, look into having your wife going back home to give birth which is definitely a cheaper option.

[stlMac 16]

Here is what you can do. You can contact local hospitals and see if they give any discounts. Many hospitals are ready to help if you can not afford it. It will be little cheaper than regular.

The other option is if you are in the demanding field you can switch your job and get insurance and add your wife with a new job.

Or go to India and have baby there.

Thats all I can think of it, not sure if it is helpful. I know I will be dealing this situation in future but if it happens like this I will find new job.

[Umka36 781]

I suggest working out a payment plan for your wife's prenatal care until she can be added to your insurance in 2014. Hopefully anyone reading this will learn from the OP situation to check with your insurance coverage policy beforehand. Good luck OP.

[Boiler 45,486]

You do not need a SSN to be added to Health Insurance.

Pay out of pocket until you can add her?

What did you intend to do for non pregnancy health needs?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Here is what you can do. You can contact local hospitals and see if they give any discounts. Many hospitals are ready to help if you can not afford it. It will be little cheaper than regular.

The other option is if you are in the demanding field you can switch your job and get insurance and add your wife with a new job.

Or go to India and have baby there.

Thats all I can think of it, not sure if it is helpful. I know I will be dealing this situation in future but if it happens like this I will find new job.

Some insurances have very clear policy there is a waiting period before they would cover the pregnancy expenses, even though you are enrolled in the plan.

I know my company insurance has this waiting period when I first joined.

[Morningmist 76]

Contact some OBGYN who will give you a discount rate until you can add her to your insurance in January. I am sure there are many OBGYNs who will do a payment plan until you can add her to your plan. January she will be around 5 months + pregnant so she should be OK and will have enough time to sign up at a hospital.

[Morningmist 76]

you can also do a home birth here in the US with assistance of a midwife. Plenty of classes teach you to give birth naturally and that reduces the hospital bill immensely too. Instead of the whooping 11,000 to 15,000 ( for vaginal birth) without insurance it will cost you at a hospital, it will come down to something like 2000 to 3000 to have your child at a birthing center. Since she is only a month pregnant you can look into midwives and see if they can accommodate her. They will give her an exercise and diet plan that will help with natural birth. If she is fairly healthy person, that is a good option. If she isn't then you better start looking into OBGYNs and hospitals with payment plans.

My friend did the Bradley Method and while it is hard, she managed to reduce her hospital bill by a lot and her prenatal care too. Many of the Ultrasounds and weigh ins are a waste of time anyway. And she managed to make sure she didn't go to the doctor when she didn't need to. Her daughter is a beautiful and healthy child now. My friend was very healthy so that helped her to choose that method.

Edited August 27, 2013 by Morningmist

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Immigration is usually a "life-changing event" that bypasses open enrollment nonsense.

But there are other options.

[Umka36 781]

Immigration is usually a "life-changing event" that bypasses open enrollment nonsense.

But there are other options.

My employer allows this, but I have to inform them within 60 days of my dependants arrival to the US.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

My employer allows this, but I have to inform them within 60 days of my dependants arrival to the US.

Right, you should do it on day 1.

[rawas 13]

Do i need to be pregnant to be added in my husband health assurance? we got married 1 year ago, im waiting for my CR-1 Visa interview soon

i also have read in other post that the USC spouse can file for joint tax / as married , can somebody explain what this means?

Edited August 27, 2013 by rawas

[Umka36 781]

Do i need to be pregnant to be added in my husband helath assurance ? we got married 1 year ago, im waiting for my CR-1 Visa interview soon

You really should start your own thread so it does not get confused with the OP.

BTW, the short answer is no about needing to be pregnant to be added to your husband's health insurance.

Your husband should start by asking his HR now about his health insurance policy/options available to him.

Edited August 27, 2013 by Umka36

[Teddy B 17,252]

Hello Everyone,

I am in a dilemma here. My wife recently migrated to the U.S about 4 months ago through the CR-1 Visa. We just found out that she is 1-month pregnant. Unfortunately, I cant add her to my insurance since the next open enrollment is January 2014. I was told by the HR from my work that I should had added my wife within the first 30 days of marriage. My argument was that she was overseas all these time but the HR wont buy it. They said I should had added my wife to the policy even without the Social Security Number. So I have decided to purchase the Private Health Insurace, Prices are high. But they denied us too stating that you have to be a resident of the U.S for atleast 6 months. We spoke with the Medicaid, they cant help us out either since we are above poverty income level. I dont know what to do, any help or suggestions is appreciated.

Immigration is a life changing event and supersedes the open enrollment. You should have put your wife on your health insurance when she first moved here 4 months ago, no ssn is needed for health insurance. You may be able to show the HR dept proof of when your wife came to the US with her travel docs and passport stamp. Ask them to back date your policy to the time of your life changing event, they will also back charge you from the time when your wife entered the states. If HR won't do it, you may want to try going directly to the insurance company yourself. This may or may not work, but it's worth a try.