Health Insurance for K1

[samjez1824 0]

Hi there,

My fiancee is moving from the UK to California and we are trying to figure out the best healthcare situation for her. I don't get healthcare from work so I won't be adding her to my policy once we are married.

I've read a little about IMG Patriot America health care, does anyone have any experience with them?

Probably gonna get her some sorta 6 month plan til she finds a job with benefits or we just get a combined pay-out-of-pocket plan

Thanks!

-Sam

[baron555 934]

I used these guys. Bought two months worth for my new wife and son, until we were married and I could add them to my insurance from work.

http://www.immigrationhealth.com/

[samjez1824 0]

Thanks Baron, which plan did you go with and how much did it cost you per month? They seem affordable in my initial inquiry

Thanks Baron, which plan did you go with and how much did it cost you per month? They seem affordable in my initial inquiry

Thanks Baron, which plan did you go with and how much did it cost you per month? They seem affordable in my initial inquiry

[baron555 934]

Thanks Baron, which plan did you go with and how much did it cost you per month? They seem affordable in my initial inquiry

Oh, I don't remember...that was way back in 2009. I think it was the Short Term plan and somehow about $110 for two months for both comes to mind.

I just wanted insurance for emergencies, just in case. They had no prior pre-existing conditions to worry about.

[yuna628 9,716]

Hi there,

My fiancee is moving from the UK to California and we are trying to figure out the best healthcare situation for her. I don't get healthcare from work so I won't be adding her to my policy once we are married.

I've read a little about IMG Patriot America health care, does anyone have any experience with them?

Probably gonna get her some sorta 6 month plan til she finds a job with benefits or we just get a combined pay-out-of-pocket plan

Thanks!

-Sam

Short term plans that are often specifically marketed toward immigrants and longer term visitors are not federally compliant, which means that the individual may still be subject to the healthcare tax penalty for not having proper coverage. If you own a private policy (which you still could add her to as your spouse), you could either look into purchasing private healthcare coverage or using the state or federal exchange, of which she will qualify.

[TBoneTX 46,125]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Moving to the US forum -- topic involves that stage. ***

[samjez1824 0]

But wouldn't she be able to use this immigrant insurance without penalty seeing as she isn't going to be eligible to work? How can she even get a penalty in that case? I'm just so lost here

[yuna628 9,716]

But wouldn't she be able to use this immigrant insurance without penalty seeing as she isn't going to be eligible to work? How can she even get a penalty in that case? I'm just so lost here

Unfortunately not. The penalty is based on if the person has no insurance or if they have no federally compliant insurance. If you are using this temporary insurance to bridge the gap until the spouse is eligible to work and can obtain insurance through work (or they purchase their own privately) it is unlikely the penalty will be as high as they are only having no insurance/no compliant insurance for a short period of time. The penalty for fiscal year 2015 was over $300, it will increase to $600+ soon, and continue to increase. That is for going without coverage for an entire year for example, the shorter you go the shorter the penalty. Most short term insurance companies will put this in their fine print. There is a three month exemption rule, but I'm guessing it could be longer that the spouse will go without federally compliant insurance, and I also can't tell you when the IRS considers that three month rule starts applying towards a K1 that is adjusting status.

Here are some links to consider:

http://obamacarefacts.com/insurance-exchange/short-term-health-insurance/

http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-01-09/short-term-health-plans-obamacare-alternatives-they-are-not

Edited January 15, 2016 by yuna628