Health Insurance?

[Galateia 1]

Today I had the bright idea to sit down (so to speak) with my fiance and figure out our basic living costs, including my student loan payments and his tuition, and now I am hyperventilating.

I was absolutely stunned and horrified to find out how much insurance costs and how LITTLE it covers. I am outraged. $400 a month AND thousands of dollars in deductible? What on earth are we paying the $400 for, then?

Also, as soon as I step foot across the border, my student loans are going to start racking up 1.5k every SIX MONTHS in interest, because I will be no longer eligible for interest relief.

I am frantic with anxiety about our finances, especially knowing that as they are, I will need to get a job IMMEDIATELY as soon as I get there and marry him.

I am a little confused on the greencard process; I know that you are issued a temporary one that is valid for 90 days from the date that you enter the US, right? Then what? How long does it take to get the second version that allows you to work for the year or whatever it is until you get the 'real' one? I've read about people getting screwed and then having to sit on their thumbs for 6 months before they were able to work, can anyone comment on this?

I am in a serious state of panic. If this is how it is, I can't afford to leave the country and get hit with student loan interest like that.

[kitkat1 5]

Where did you get the $400/month figure - is this the cost for an employee and spouse at your fiance's employer or school? Most employers pay a fairly large portion of health insurance costs, although clearly costs to employees have increased enormously in the past few years.

There are many other options including individual health plans for catastrophic coverage only. Depending on where you live and the options available, these can run in the neighborhood of about $75 a month. It would wise to do some research in your (future) state as well as look at his employers options - there are usually several available.

[Galateia 1]

Where did you get the $400/month figure - is this the cost for an employee and spouse at your fiance's employer or school? Most employers pay a fairly large portion of health insurance costs, although clearly costs to employees have increased enormously in the past few years.

There are many other options including individual health plans for catastrophic coverage only. Depending on where you live and the options available, these can run in the neighborhood of about $75 a month. It would wise to do some research in your (future) state as well as look at his employers options - there are usually several available.

He is a grad student, so that's where he has his insurance from. I am not covered under his student plan. We also looked into quotes and discovered that the deductible on lower-monthly fee plans is INSANE. We will be living in north-western Texas.

Is there a plan that ONLY covers 'emergency' visits, as in the event of a car accident, injury requiring stitches, etc? Does that count as 'catastrophic' coverage? I have no need for regular doctor's visits or non-emergency care. The only 'regular' prescription I need is birth control pills, and they certainly would be cheaper to buy outright than to pay $400/mo for!

[kitkat1 5]

I'm shocked that grad student medical coverage is so expensive.

Look into catastrophic or major medical coverage - that's all you really need if you don't need regular doctor visits or medications. I would stick with the big names i.e. blue cross, aetna, etc. Do a lot of looking around and comparing before you chose one and keep in mind that they do a review of your medical background and don't have to accept you. But being covered by a plan that has coverage in the event of a serious illness or accident is by far better than having none.

Looks like this is a good place to start: http://www.texashealthoptions.com/cp/individual.html

Good luck.

[Caladan 19]

What's this about student loans suddenly charging tons more interest? This concerns me, as C. has some student loans left and likely will when he moves down here. Where'd you find out about the interest hit?

Grad student HMOs are like others. The university usually covers the student completely but the spouse has to buy in at the unsubsidize rate.

[Galateia 1]

What's this about student loans suddenly charging tons more interest? This concerns me, as C. has some student loans left and likely will when he moves down here. Where'd you find out about the interest hit?

Grad student HMOs are like others. The university usually covers the student completely but the spouse has to buy in at the unsubsidize rate.

Right now my Canadian Integrated Student Loan has a lovely 'current' interest rate of 8%. It's whatever is the 'going rate', according to all the documents I've been dealing with. Hence, being bent over a barrel to the tune of 1.5k every six months. I'm covered by Interest Relief at the moment, but that will stop when I leave Canada.

It should be in his documents from the National Student Loans Centre. Is he covered by interest relief right now?

And thank you for the info, kitkat; we will look into 'emergency only' medical care, hopefully that will be more manageable for us.

[kitkat1 5]

I am a little confused on the greencard process; I know that you are issued a temporary one that is valid for 90 days from the date that you enter the US, right? Then what? How long does it take to get the second version that allows you to work for the year or whatever it is until you get the 'real' one? I've read about people getting screwed and then having to sit on their thumbs for 6 months before they were able to work, can anyone comment on this?

You should also read through the guides very carefully. You are not issued a temp green card - what you are referring to is a temp. employment authorization document which is only given at the JFK point of entry these days. Otherwise, after you are married, you submit your AOS package and request your work authorization. You should plan on that taking 3 months minimum, meaning you cannot work until you have it. The green card comes down the road.

[Cassie 8]

I am a little confused on the greencard process; I know that you are issued a temporary one that is valid for 90 days from the date that you enter the US, right? Then what? How long does it take to get the second version that allows you to work for the year or whatever it is until you get the 'real' one? I've read about people getting screwed and then having to sit on their thumbs for 6 months before they were able to work, can anyone comment on this?

You should also read through the guides very carefully. You are not issued a temp green card - what you are referring to is a temp. employment authorization document which is only given at the JFK point of entry these days. Otherwise, after you are married, you submit your AOS package and request your work authorization. You should plan on that taking 3 months minimum, meaning you cannot work until you have it. The green card comes down the road.

and if you fly from a major international airport in Canada, you won't even get the temp EAD, seeing as you clear US customs before you get on the plane to leave. Seeing as the ability to work is evidently a huge issue for you, you're either going to have to do some research to see if any land border crossings are issuing temp EADs with any frequency/consistency, or be prepared to get married ASAP after entering the States so you can apply for AOS/EAD very quickly.

[Boiler 45,488]

I was on my wifes Student coverage. Certainly a lot less than $400, she was doing her Masters at the time. For us not a bad deal as she was a mature student and they did not age relate the costs.

I have also had catastrophe cover, in my case $5,000 out of my pocket, should be $100 or so a month. Fortunately I have never had a ny medical costs, I do know that it costs with or without Insurance.

Probably pay you to get and prescriptions from Canada. We stocked up for a friend in Mexico, 10% of the US cost.

[Galateia 1]

I am a little confused on the greencard process; I know that you are issued a temporary one that is valid for 90 days from the date that you enter the US, right? Then what? How long does it take to get the second version that allows you to work for the year or whatever it is until you get the 'real' one? I've read about people getting screwed and then having to sit on their thumbs for 6 months before they were able to work, can anyone comment on this?

You should also read through the guides very carefully. You are not issued a temp green card - what you are referring to is a temp. employment authorization document which is only given at the JFK point of entry these days. Otherwise, after you are married, you submit your AOS package and request your work authorization. You should plan on that taking 3 months minimum, meaning you cannot work until you have it. The green card comes down the road.

The guides were a little confusing on that part, thank you for summing it up for me. I was thinking of the EAD (wasn't sure that's what it was called) and didn't know I wasn't going to automatically get one when entering the US. This means that he'll have to take out a student loan to cover things while I can't work, but at least it will give me time to job hunt. It still is a drag that I won't be able to work.

Cassie, we were always planning to get married immediately once I arrived in the US, so that we could begin filing the necessary paperwork right away. We're planning to marry in a courthouse and then have a 'shindig' a few years down the road.

[Caladan 19]

What's this about student loans suddenly charging tons more interest? This concerns me, as C. has some student loans left and likely will when he moves down here. Where'd you find out about the interest hit?

Grad student HMOs are like others. The university usually covers the student completely but the spouse has to buy in at the unsubsidize rate.

Right now my Canadian Integrated Student Loan has a lovely 'current' interest rate of 8%. It's whatever is the 'going rate', according to all the documents I've been dealing with. Hence, being bent over a barrel to the tune of 1.5k every six months. I'm covered by Interest Relief at the moment, but that will stop when I leave Canada.

It should be in his documents from the National Student Loans Centre. Is he covered by interest relief right now?

And thank you for the info, kitkat; we will look into 'emergency only' medical care, hopefully that will be more manageable for us.

I'll have to ask him if the interest is still subsidized; I thought not, but I only know U.S.student loan mechanics.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Wow, $400!? My insurance costs $12 a month for the two of us with no deductible.

Even when I was a student, it was only $35 a month with a $500 deductible.

I'd say do some shopping around.

Cass (bebop the great)

[Autumnchik 6]

Wow, $400!? My insurance costs $12 a month for the two of us with no deductible.

Even when I was a student, it was only $35 a month with a $500 deductible.

I'd say do some shopping around.

Cass (bebop the great)

$12 a month with no deductible!!! How do I get a job there????

Comparing plans and shopping around is a great idea. I am in the position of having to do that too. My agency is tiny and covers 70 % of my medical (I pay $130/month) but they will not cover any toward a spouse. The spouse rate with the insurance I have is exorbitant, so I have been looking for other coverage for the fiance. Usually you can get a better monthly rate if you have a higher deductible. Some plans I have looked at do not count regular doctor visits toward the deductible so you only pay the co-pay. The gamble with having a high deductible comes if you need any lab work, x-rays, hospitalizations, etc.

Ain't this insurance ####### fun?

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

The benefits of working for a public University. Now, I only pay $1 a month as a single person.

The insurance isn't even the best part, I get 6 weeks of vacation a year! A vast improvement from my last job with 5 DAYS a year.

I don't think I can ever afford to leave this job.

Cass (bebop the great)

$12 a month with no deductible!!! How do I get a job there????

[Autumnchik 6]

The benefits of working for a public University. Now, I only pay $1 a month as a single person.

The insurance isn't even the best part, I get 6 weeks of vacation a year! A vast improvement from my last job with 5 DAYS a year.

I don't think I can ever afford to leave this job.

Cass (bebop the great)

$12 a month with no deductible!!! How do I get a job there????

I am even more jealous now 6 weeks of vacation! Sounds like a keeper for sure!!!

I guess I really shouldn't complain though. I made the choice to leave a school system job with great vacation and inexpensive health coverage for my current job which, if I work here for 2 years, the National Health Service Corps will repay my student loans! I can trade less time off and higher health insurance for getting out of debt