Really confused about Obamacare, please help.

[Dan&Ellen 1]

Ok so everywhere I read there is conflicting information.

I am moving to the USA on Saturday on a CR1 visa. I need to sort out some health insurance until I have a job.

My wife has insurance through uni that expires in August but it is rubbish.

I have read that as an immigrant I have to have a marketplace health insurance plan or I will be penalized. I have read that I am eligible for Obamacare. However when applying for the visa we had to fill out the sponsor form (my wife) and it said that any benefits claimed would be charged back to my sponsor. So if I get an Obamacare plan will we have to pay the full amount anyway? What if my wife gets the Obamacare plan instead of me but adds me onto the plan. Or do the Obamacare plans not count as benefits?

I was thinking of getting one month short term insurance to cover me while I get there and we can sort this out, or I get a job but as it is not a marketplace plan will we get penalized?

We don't necessarily need the benefits but I don't want to be penalized for having the wrong insurance either plus the only short term plan available in Connecticut seems really dodgy.

When I get a job will the Obamacare plan be cancelled?

Are there any helplines I can call to ask about this?

Sorry for all the questions but the conflicting information is really confusing and healthcare is literally the only thing I'm worried about moving to America, otherwise I'm all set and can't wait to get there!

EDIT:

I'd like to add every time I try to get on the CT marketplace I get:

Access Denied

You don't have permission to access "http://www.accesshealthct.com/" on this server.

Do I have to be in the USA to get the plan then? In which case I'd definitely need the short term insurance anyway.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Dan&Ellen

[BOS_LHR 829]

Editing now I see you're in a state with its own exchange...

Subsidized health insurance through the CT marketplace isn't a means tested benefit, which is the kind that you're not allowed to have as an immigrant. It's actually a tax break -- you can choose to apply the tax break to your monthly insurance premiums, or to actually receive the lump sum back at tax time. You and your wife can both legally be covered on ACA plans and receive subsidized insurance if your income qualifies you.

When you sign up for insurance on AccessHealthCT, you have to tell them whether you qualify for insurance through any other source. If you get an ACA plan and subsequently take a job that offers health insurance, you'll have to update your information on CT's site. It may or may not affect your premium/your ability to stay covered under your existing ACA plan. When you start a job if they offer insurance you'll be allowed to decide whether you want to participate in their plan or not. To be honest with you, you'd do much better with employer sponsored insurance about 99% of the time, so if you get a job that offers it you can jump off the ACA plan immediately. You aren't required to have a plan on the marketplace, you just have to be insured somehow. Employer plans are completely acceptable and generally better coverage for less money.

The phone line is 1-855-805-4325. In-person counselors are also available once you're in the states, but they may be a little scarce at this time of year as open enrollment doesn't begin until the fall and they've reduced staffing until then.

The CT site is rejecting you because you're trying to access from abroad. You can use the Hola unblocker extension to trick it into thinking you're accessing from the US to be able to look at the site. You'll need to prove residency in order to enroll in a plan, so it's not something you can have ready to go prior to immigrating. Until you're a US resident you don't qualify.

Edited July 16, 2014 by BOS_LHR

[Dan&Ellen 1]

Subsidized health insurance through healthcare.gov isn't a means tested benefit, which is the kind that you're not allowed to have as an immigrant. It's actually a tax break -- you can choose to apply the tax break to your monthly insurance premiums, or to actually receive the lump sum back at tax time. You and your wife can both legally be covered on ACA plans and receive subsidized insurance if your income qualifies you......

Thanks for your reply. So can I get an ACA plan now to cover me as soon as I land or do we have to wait until I am actually arrived in the states?

Thanks for the number too, I will call them and see what they have to say and report back here.

[BOS_LHR 829]

Thanks for your reply. So can I get an ACA plan now to cover me as soon as I land or do we have to wait until I am actually arrived in the states?

Thanks for the number too, I will call them and see what they have to say and report back here.

Edited my post above since you mentioned Connecticut, they're not actually using healthcare.gov as you probably noticed -- CT is one of the handful of states that built its own exchange. My edited post has the CT number. I don't believe this is something you'll be able to arrange prior to entering the US, but give the Hola unblocker a try and see how far you can get through the application. Certainly if your wife is in the US and unhappy with her current coverage she could get an account going and add you immediately when you arrive in the states.

[Dan&Ellen 1]

The CT site is rejecting you because you're trying to access from abroad. You can use the Hola unblocker extension to trick it into thinking you're accessing from the US to be able to look at the site. You'll need to prove residency in order to enroll in a plan, so it's not something you can have ready to go prior to immigrating. Until you're a US resident you don't qualify.

Yeh I figured that's why I was being rejected. So I won't be able to be covered until I arrive in which case I should get a short term plan in the mean time?

[Dan&Ellen 1]

Edited my post above since you mentioned Connecticut, they're not actually using healthcare.gov as you probably noticed -- CT is one of the handful of states that built its own exchange. My edited post has the CT number. I don't believe this is something you'll be able to arrange prior to entering the US, but give the Hola unblocker a try and see how far you can get through the application. Certainly if your wife is in the US and unhappy with her current coverage she could get an account going and add you immediately when you arrive in the states.

I have actually tried their helpline but the only options that come up are if I want medicaid, which I don't. I'll try the unblocker.

[BOS_LHR 829]

I have actually tried their helpline but the only options that come up are if I want medicaid, which I don't. I'll try the unblocker.

That's likely because we're not in an open enrollment period. Open enrollment is when the masses can sign up for new Qualified Health Plans, i.e., non-Medicaid plans, but Medicaid enrollees can sign up anytime they like. Outside of open enrollment periods, you're able to sign up for QHPs if you have a qualifying life event. "Qualifying Life Events may include: child birth, adoption, death of a member of the household, marriage, loss of current health care coverage, loss or reduction in employer insurance contributions, new legal CT or U.S. residency, or U.S. lawful presence" (AccessHealthCT site).

I think you fall under the "new CT/US residency" event and would therefore be able to enroll upon immigrating, but you should keep trying to get in touch with a counselor or broker to discuss your situation (https://www.accesshealthct.com/AHCT/DisplayAssistanceSearch.action). I think a short term plan would probably be a wise choice for you, or even travel insurance if it'll cover you when you're technically an immigrant. There's bound to be a gap in coverage otherwise.

...Another thing to consider: when you enroll due to the qualifying life event, although there will be a wait before your enrollment is processed and you receive your card, you should have retroactive coverage. If you needed medical attention before your application was finalized you would be able to claim those expenses and be reimbursed afterward. It'd be a pain in the bum but at least you wouldn't be completely left out to dry. Nevertheless until you've gone through POE I don't think it'll be possible to submit an application.

Edited July 16, 2014 by BOS_LHR

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I wish I understood it better myself. It sounds like you are equating "Obamacare" to the UK's National Health Service. Obamacare is not an insurance provider. It is massive government rules about insurance, and government help to reimburse poor people for the cost, and government penalties for those who don't buy insurance.

The "marketplace" is a service like going to a mall to shop many companies...Aetna, Blue Cross, Humana, etc...as well as many types of coverage from basic to deluxe. Pick a private company. Pick a coverage based on what you can afford. Maybe get some money back based on family income.

If you are eligible through a group plan offered by an employer or spouse's employer then you don't need to shop for a plan at the marketplace because the employer has picked a company and may even help with the cost as a benefit. If you want to go out on you own to Blue Cross (for example) website you can.

Many are employed in jobs where no group insurance is offered. The marketplace is just so you can compare offerings by insurance companies and get an idea of what kind of cost reduction you might get if your family income is low. These people will pay for a policy on their own with no group negotiated rates.

If you get a policy on your own, then later find a job with insurance benefits, you may drop your insurer and go with the one the employer is offering.

Some states set up their own mini-mall marketplace for their residents. Others use the general national marketplace.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[kehills 217]

I'd recommend picking up short term (for a few months) til you get settled, jobs, etc.

[Dan&Ellen 1]

I think you fall under the "new CT/US residency" event and would therefore be able to enroll upon immigrating, but you should keep trying to get in touch with a counselor or broker to discuss your situation (https://www.accesshealthct.com/AHCT/DisplayAssistanceSearch.action). I think a short term plan would probably be a wise choice for you, or even travel insurance if it'll cover you when you're technically an immigrant. There's bound to be a gap in coverage otherwise.

The VPN is not working very well, if you're in the USA can you find me a number for one as using that site is very difficult through the VPN.

I have an annual travel insurance plan but I'm willing to be it wouldn't cover me, plus there are maximum length of trip limits anyway. I have no return ticket so I doubt they would cover me even if I wasn't a resident!

The only short term plan available in CT is this one http://www.hccmis.com/connecticut-short-term-medical-insurance/.

I wish I understood it better myself. It sounds like you are equating "Obamacare" to the UK's National Health Service. Obamacare is not an insurance provider. It is massive government rules about insurance, and government help to reimburse poor people for the cost, and government penalties for those who don't buy insurance.

The "marketplace" is a service like going to a mall to shop many companies...Aetna, Blue Cross, Humana, etc...as well as many types of coverage from basic to deluxe. Pick a private company. Pick a coverage based on what you can afford. Maybe get some money back based on family income.

If you are eligible through a group plan offered by an employer or spouse's employer then you don't need to shop for a plan at the marketplace because the employer has picked a company and may even help with the cost as a benefit. If you want to go out on you own to Blue Cross (for example) website you can.

Many are employed in jobs where no group insurance is offered. The marketplace is just so you can compare offerings by insurance companies and get an idea of what kind of cost reduction you might get if your family income is low. These people will pay for a policy on their own with no group negotiated rates.

If you get a policy on your own, then later find a job with insurance benefits, you may drop your insurer and go with the one the employer is offering.

Some states set up their own mini-mall marketplace for their residents. Others use the general national marketplace.

Oh thanks for that. Yeh I didn't think it worked like the NHS but I did think it was a government benefit like Medicaid rather than a tax break.

Edit - also I just spoke to my wife and she said it's not that her plan is bad it's just that it's nowhere as good as last year.

This is the plan http://baileyagencies.us/forms/UConn%20GA%20SHIP%202013-14%20Brochure%20Final_web_080213.pdf and it would cost $1200 dollars a year or $465 for the fall semester to get added to it.

Is this a good plan at all? Because I am seriously considering getting on at least the fall semester over buying short term insurance which would have a 20% copay instead of the 10% that her insurance offers.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Dan&Ellen

[BOS_LHR 829]

The VPN is not working very well, if you're in the USA can you find me a number for one as using that site is very difficult through the VPN.

I have an annual travel insurance plan but I'm willing to be it wouldn't cover me, plus there are maximum length of trip limits anyway. I have no return ticket so I doubt they would cover me even if I wasn't a resident!

The only short term plan available in CT is this one http://www.hccmis.com/connecticut-short-term-medical-insurance/.

Oh thanks for that. Yeh I didn't think it worked like the NHS but I did think it was a government benefit like Medicaid rather than a tax break.

I get 250 hits back when I search, would you like to try to narrow down to a specific area of CT?

[Dan&Ellen 1]

I get 250 hits back when I search, would you like to try to narrow down to a specific area of CT?

Storrs-Mansfield

Thanks btw!

Edited July 16, 2014 by Dan&Ellen

[barbara360 6]

Hello,

My Husband who moved here to Chicago last August ifrom Italy is not eligible for the Obamacare, Medicare, etc because he has not been a permanet resident long enough. We did find an income based medical center here in Chicago after he arrived and we showed my income (since he is not working yet) and he saw the doctor for a comeplete full check up (full blood work, exam), they gave him his allergy medicine and all we paid was $20. I am sure you can find income based medical centers in your area as well. It's for the uninsured. They also help with the paperwork for Medicare or Obamacare if you qualify and they were the ones who told us my husband did not qualify as of yet. The only drawback is that you do need to wait about 2 months for a general appointmeny but they are also affiliated with a wonderful hospital here in case of emergency where we can visit if needed on an emergency basis and that also would be charged for us as income based.

[BOS_LHR 829]

Storrs-Mansfield

Thanks btw!

Seems like the closest I can get is Hartford, I get 52 hits (multiple assisters listed per organization). Here's a sampling from a few different organizations, hopefully one of these will be available:

First Choice Health Centers

94 Connecticut Boulevard

East Hartford 06108

m1garcia@firstchc.org; etoomey@firstchc.org

(860) 528-1359

Community Health Services

500 Albany Avenue

Hartford 06120

greer.marable@chshartford.org; David.weaver@chshartford.org; Rebecca.willis@chshartford.org

(860) 808-8710

Charter Oak Health Center

21 Grand Street

Hartford 06106

dzayerz@thecharteroak.org; csarmiento@thecharteroak.org; cohc@thecharteroak.org

(860) 550-7500

[Dan&Ellen 1]

Thanks for that