health insurance, medicaid, obamacare, aca ... as K1 (non)immigrant

[jakeblades 0]

you might not save too much if something happened accidentally. 50$ a month is pretty cheap compared to the regular insurances and much better than a 50k hospital bill... i went with the "better safe than sorry" approach

[Boiler 45,662]

You otherwise psy a penalty.

[puffers 14]

I understand that.. But that doesn't answer my question

I will be able to get coverage through my wifes employer soon. Thats why I want to wait. I'm just lazy

[yuna628 9,680]

But do i have to have health insurance or is it optional? Cause i want to wait a little while and save the money.

If you don't have health insurance you'll have to pay a penalty (it rises every year). And what happens if you get sick or seriously injured?

https://www.healthcare.gov/fees-exemptions/fee-for-not-being-covered/

Don't know if you'll have to pay some of a penalty if you get on the wife's insurance eventually or if you can claim an exemption, depending on how long you wait. You'd have to speak to someone about that come tax time.

Edited July 29, 2015 by yuna628

[puffers 14]

Okay so I HAVE to have it.. or pay a fine?

So, when I get insurance now, will I have to pay the fine because I didn't get it right away? I applied for AOS almost two months ago..

[yuna628 9,680]

Okay so I HAVE to have it.. or pay a fine?

So, when I get insurance now, will I have to pay the fine because I didn't get it right away? I applied for AOS almost two months ago..

Well let's use this for an example that they give on the site:

What if I’m uncovered for just part of the year?

If you’re uninsured for just part of the year, 1/12 of the yearly penalty applies to each month you’re uninsured.

If you’re uninsured for no more than 2 months of the year, you don’t have to make a payment.

How long have you been uninsured?

Edited July 29, 2015 by yuna628

[puffers 14]

I'm just really confused right now, cause our lawyer told us the opposite: NOT to get on medicaid/medicare. He said my sponsor would have to pay a fine if i get any kind of government money, like welfare or state insurance. (He said thats what the affidavit of support is for)...

I entered the US may 15th, I applied for AOS in June (got my NOA 1 june 18th). So i guess, pretty much 2 months? So i should get it right away I guess?

[yuna628 9,680]

I'm just really confused right now, cause our lawyer told us the opposite: NOT to get on medicaid/medicare. He said my sponsor would have to pay a fine if i get any kind of government money, like welfare or state insurance. (He said thats what the affidavit of support is for)...

Lawyer is wrong for sure.

Medicaid/medicare is NOT the federal mandate.

Let's look at it this way. The federal mandate is like going to google search and saying ''hey I want some insurance what can you offer me?"

And the government goes ''welllll okay here are some sweet plans that we have kinda.. sorta.. discounted maybe... ish.. but you still have to pay for them or else!''

The federal mandate/obamacare means that you are the one paying for the service, they are just offering it to you. Since you are paying for it, it's not welfare or taxpayer sponsored funds.

If you live in New York, you'll have to go through your state exchange instead of the federal one. The same rules will apply. If you're comfortable with waiting, and paying some kind of a penalty then you have the option of getting on your wife's plan. The longer you wait the more of a penalty there would probably be. A one time penalty is ultimately cheaper than an insurance bill every month.

Edited July 29, 2015 by yuna628

[puffers 14]

Okay.. thanks.

And legally I am a "lawful temporary resident"?

[puffers 14]

Well, I don't want to pay a penalty... You are right $50 is not that much. I was checking out some kind of immigrant insurance (I think it was a private one), they had pretty cheap deals too. But i thought I can just wait.

I will definitely contact my lawyer about this. I am so pissed he gave us the wrong information about this..

[madtownguy 164]

Well, I don't want to pay a penalty... You are right $50 is not that much. I was checking out some kind of immigrant insurance (I think it was a private one), they had pretty cheap deals too. But i thought I can just wait.

I will definitely contact my lawyer about this. I am so pissed he gave us the wrong information about this..

He told you not to go on government assistance and you think that was wrong? Do you really think they would approve a petition if they knew you were already on government assistance? You are in a grey area, I personally did not insure my wife because it wouldn't let me with out knowing the number on the green card. I didn't pay any penalty, but you need to do what is best for you I guess. The penalty changes depending upon how much you and your spouse make combined.

[Boiler 45,662]

He gave you the right answer if he said no Medicare/Medicaid.Wrong answer if he said you do not need to have it at all.

But then a Lawyer is unlikely to be the best person to advise on Insurance.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

The penalty will come your way after filing taxes and the statement will come from the IRS. We received a bill for $95 penalty even though we did not have the I 797 then so I have to call Marketplace to find the exempt form. We received the I 797 (noa1 for AOS ) and will now request to get the event change enrollment with it this week.

[puffers 14]

He told you not to go on government assistance and you think that was wrong? Do you really think they would approve a petition if they knew you were already on government assistance? You are in a grey area, I personally did not insure my wife because it wouldn't let me with out knowing the number on the green card. I didn't pay any penalty, but you need to do what is best for you I guess. The penalty changes depending upon how much you and your spouse make combined.

No, until today I didn't think that was wrong. But this whole thread is just confusing. If this was about private insurance it would make a lot more sense. But people are talking about Medicare and Medicaid and eligibility for state insurance. So, allow me to get a little confused here.

Why isn't a lawyer someone I should ask about this? He is our immigration lawyer and we figured he would know about everything that has to do with my immigration process. If the law requires me, as someone who is not yet a permanent resident, but also not an illegal immigrant, to have whatever kind of health insurance, we expect our immigration lawyer to inform us about that and give us proper advise on how to go about it. I really don't know what's so weird about that, and why some people here have to be so nasty about it. Isn't that what this website is about, asking questions about this whole confusing process?!

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Madtownguy it clearly says EAD and even I-797 so I don't get why you insist you have to have a GC, you are incorrect. You weren't persistent in taking the matter to supervisor escalation to resolve your GC number issue.