AOS post-marriage questions

[kehills 217]

I am having a very hard time getting him signed up on the health insurance. My HR department rep is unhelpful and is insistent that I can only do it if I supply them with his SSN or a Tax ID Number, which means at least 2 months without insurance if we have to wait for that. That makes me uncomfortable. For those who've had success, what did you tell your insurance company provider? Also, if for some reason they still won't let me add him, is there some way to get alternative healthcare coverage for him for the interim? Is it possible to sign up for Obamacare or is that only possible when you have EAD or SSN?

Nothing; wish I could help you, but all my company asked for was the date of marriage, since that's when the insurance coverage started. I had to sign him up right away, too; my company has closed enrollment, and only allows addition to coverage upon a "life event."

Can you call your insurance company directly and ask them what information they need from you to get him covered? It's possible that since it was VWP, you're just screwed and missing the necessary legal docs they need.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

He doesn't need a SSN to be on insurance. Newborns are insured and they do not have SSNs.

I am not sure how to get them to realize that, besides pushing and asking them to give him their own unique number for identification.

[Camelot13 63]

After much prodding from me and HR insisting that he needs a SSN, they finally acknowledged that he COULD sign up on my insurance plan without one. They vaguely said that there may be some problems with services. When I asked for more clarification, they said that the healthcare provider might not be able to see his enrollment so we'd have to have my HR rep know before he goes to the doctor. Fine by me! As long as he gets coverage. Such a frustrating process for such a simple answer.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Camelot13

[kehills 217]

After much prodding from me and HR insisting that he needs a SSN, they finally acknowledged that he COULD sign up on my insurance plan without one. They vaguely said that there may be some problems with services. When I asked for more clarification, they said that the healthcare provider might not be able to see his enrollment so we'd have to have my HR rep know before he goes to the doctor. Fine by me! As long as he gets coverage. Such a frustrating process for such a simple answer.

I really think you should call your insurance company and talk to them directly. Your HR rep just told you something that may actually violate health insurance privacy laws; your HR rep shouldn't know anything about your medical visits or treatments. Your insurance company should be issuing your husband a card that is tied to your insurance plan coverage, with company plan ID number, your coverage number, etc. Shouldn't have anything to do with social security, telling HR first, etc.

[Camelot13 63]

That's a good idea, Kehills. I didn't think much of it at first (was just happy to hear he wouldn't be denied coverage), but when you put it that way and I start to think of it in terms of privacy issues then it does seem like an unfavorable solution. Also a huge pain to have to go through HR whenever he wants to make an appointment or if he needed urgent care. Going to see if I can get in touch with my insurance today. I don't know why they wouldn't just be able to put his name on my plan and issue him some kind of ID number. They're making it all so difficult and complicated.