Really confused about Obamacare, please help.

[BOS_LHR 829]

Thanks for that

Sure thing. My last job was for a company that built portal software for state based exchanges like Connecticut has, so I know exactly how complicated and ridiculous this ACA stuff is. Good luck! Let me know if you need some more agencies to try, I've left the search window open in case

[Darnell 8,478]

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.

it's best to get it started when you are in the USA, and the best way to handle enrollment is via telephone ...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

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.

I think the plan looks fabulous. 10% copay is almost unheard of and a $250 deductible which is waived if you use the campus health center. Also waived for labs and meds. For comparison-- the best choice for my husband (only him) is $6000/year premium and $6000/yr deductible. That basically means $12,000 each year before insurance pays. And a 20% copay. And no government help with the cost. It's hell to be old. Snap up that plan youngster while you can. Meanwhile, I think I will enroll my husband at UConn

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I know you said that you want coverage to get you by until you are in country, why not get added to your wife's policy? I know you don't think it's a great policy, but generally speaking, once you are married you are automatically eligible to be on your spouses policy from the date of marriage. It obviously may not cover you overseas as that would be considered "out of market" but it would cover you when you get here until you both can get it sorted to get a better plan. Just my two cents

Edited July 16, 2014 by UK-USA-K1

[Boiler 45,486]

I think the plan looks fabulous. 10% copay is almost unheard of and a $250 deductible which is waived if you use the campus health center. Also waived for labs and meds. For comparison-- the best choice for my husband (only him) is $6000/year premium and $6000/yr deductible. That basically means $12,000 each year before insurance pays. And a 20% copay. And no government help with the cost. It's hell to be old. Snap up that plan youngster while you can. Meanwhile, I think I will enroll my husband at UConn

I was thinking the same, dirt cheap as well.

There are as far as I am aware no short term ACA compliant policies other than what you can buy through the exchange.

[Ian H. 207]

Hello, while I am new to this site I am very knowledgeable about this kind of situation. A lot of immigrants, new and current ones alike, are skeptical about applying for benefits and services for which they are eligible. I am not an immigration lawyer, so do not take this as legal advice, but I have done plenty of research and have more than enough experience with this as well. First thing's first, you will come to the U.S. as a permanent resident. Even though it is a conditional status, you will benefit from all of the same rights as any other permanent resident. As such, you are eligible to apply for certain government benefits, that DO NOT affect your immigration status, or your sponsor for that matter, in any way. I'm not sure how it works in CT, I was trying to look for some info, but I couldn't find anything. I do however know how it works in NY; these are federal programs and go by federal laws. It is very important that you're aware that only certain programs can affect your immigration status or your sponsor. Those are, SSI (supplemental security income), Welfare aka TANF, and long term care medicaid (nursing home). Receiving or applying for these benefits can lead to a public charge determination. Other programs like food stamps(SNAP), regular medicaid, tuition assistance grants, home energy assistance, public housing, and other similar benefits DO NOT affect your immigration status in any way or your sponsor. Now that being the case, if you and your wife are eligible for medicaid you can apply for it. Different states have different requirements, I know for a fact that in NY, you can apply for medicaid right away after becoming an LPR. It's possible that in CT, it's the same. They would need to count your wife's income and resources anyway, if she's your only sponsor, but they will not charge her for anything because you would be entitled to those benefits. If you don't qualify for medicaid you can definitely still qualify for subsidized coverage through the marketplace. You should have some extra time to buy coverage once you arrive because you are a new immigrant so do not worry about that until you actually enter the country. Once you have your stamped passport feel free to apply for coverage through the marketplace and they will tell you if you are eligible for medicaid and if not you may be eligible for subsidized coverage based on your family income. I assume that your wife is your only sponsor, which is great because only her income would be counted anyway for being your spouse. Feel free to message me if you any other questions, and take all answers on sites like these with a grain of salt. Unfortunately, people are trying to help, but that doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. Here is a link from USCIS regarding public charge: http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge

[Boiler 45,486]

A lot wrong there, not a good idea to message people, especially those that joined 30 minutes ago.

[Ian H. 207]

And what exactly is "a lot wrong" in my post?

A lot wrong there, not a good idea to message people, especially those that joined 30 minutes ago.

[kehills 217]

To clarify, for short-term coverage, I meant through a UK-based travel policy. (It is possible. My husband is covered under the policy he bought, even with a one-way ticket, until August. And that's after we extended it once, because we realized it would be dumb to put him on my health insurance with his job starting on a set date, offering better coverage.)

[Boiler 45,486]

To clarify, for short-term coverage, I meant through a UK-based travel policy. (It is possible. My husband is covered under the policy he bought, even with a one-way ticket, until August. And that's after we extended it once, because we realized it would be dumb to put him on my health insurance with his job starting on a set date, offering better coverage.)

Most UK Travel Insurance would not cover people immigrating. Covers those resident in the UK.

One of the major benefits is repatriation, if you are seriously ill or injured they will want to get you back home asap.

And of course if he meets the requirements for ACA then it would not be qualifying cover.

[Cyteen 0]

I'd add the suggestion that you check with the National Health to confirm whether or not they will cover you until your official residence actually changes.

[Boiler 45,486]

I'd add the suggestion that you check with the National Health to confirm whether or not they will cover you until your official residence actually changes.

I believe the issue is medical costs incurred in the US.

From a practical point of view you could probably pop back and the NHS not know you had emigrated.

[sukhi4498 1]

Hi guys can u plz inculcate me abt Maryland state I want to have health insurance for my wife who came last month.I will really appreciate it for Obama care u have to b a resident of USA for specific timethanks in advance

[jhammin 4]

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.

Proof that Obamacare is still working http://on.msnbc.com/1tNRAwX

I dont know if it helps you. Just try to read

[Boiler 45,486]

MSNBC

Really?