Eligible for any emergency health insurance?

[dayana_1313 0]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I recently came here on a K-1 visa and my husband and I are planning to marry at the end of the month. Unfortunately I had an accident this past weekend and I had to go to the emergency room for a deep laceration on my leg. I had to get stitches as a result. This is my question. I have no health insurance, as I just came here a few weeks ago. All I have is my passport and social security card that I just received last week. Since my husband and I haven't married, I'm not on his health insurance plan either. Does anyone know of any type of emergency health insurance or medicaid that I might be eligible for? The hospital bill is going to be very expensive and we're in a tight economic situation, so if anyone knows how I might get some sort of financial aid, that would be great. Please let me know asap. I live in NY by the way. Thank you.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Contact the hospital billing dept and talk to them..... they may be able to set up a payment plan for you to pay it off... you can not get medicaid.... there may be charities around who could help but your best option is to speak to the hospital...

Hope you recover quickly..

Kez

[lou_7979 0]

Contact the hospital billing dept and talk to them..... they may be able to set up a payment plan for you to pay it off... you can not get medicaid.... there may be charities around who could help but your best option is to speak to the hospital...

Hope you recover quickly..

Kez

Kez, why would she not be eligible for some sort of emergency medicaid or any insurance of that nature?

Edited March 12, 2007 by lou_7979

[Thai Rath 1]

I was in a similar situation in that my husband (at the time when he was my fiance) was sick and needed to get treatment from a doctor before our ceremony. I just assumed that our insurance didn't cover him as we weren't married yet, but I checked just to be sure. Turned out that even though we weren't married, because he was here on a K-1 visa and we were to be getting married, he was covered. Though I'm sure you've already looked into this, I'm going to say it in case others are in a similar situation: my advice is to take it up with your insurance company even though you're not married yet - your fiance(e) may still be covered!

I hope you're feeling better soon - good luck.

[LaL 418]

Contact the hospital billing dept and talk to them..... they may be able to set up a payment plan for you to pay it off... you can not get medicaid.... there may be charities around who could help but your best option is to speak to the hospital...

Hope you recover quickly..

Kez

Kez, why would she not be eligible for some sort of emergency medicaid or any insurance of that nature?

what is the criteria for being approved for something of that sort? I am the citizen, and went to the ER (during my probation period at a new job = no insurance) and got slapped with an expected $4000 bill. They put me on a payment plan, and off I went. it sucks, but is reality.

[lou_7979 0]

Contact the hospital billing dept and talk to them..... they may be able to set up a payment plan for you to pay it off... you can not get medicaid.... there may be charities around who could help but your best option is to speak to the hospital...

Hope you recover quickly..

Kez

Kez, why would she not be eligible for some sort of emergency medicaid or any insurance of that nature?

what is the criteria for being approved for something of that sort? I am the citizen, and went to the ER (during my probation period at a new job = no insurance) and got slapped with an expected $4000 bill. They put me on a payment plan, and off I went. it sucks, but is reality.

I've heard cases of tourists here on a tourist visa who have been eligible to get emergency medicaid, thats why I made that comment. They also had no job here, no insurance, nothing. But they still got the emergency medicaid, so why were they eligible?

[LaL 418]

Kez, why would she not be eligible for some sort of emergency medicaid or any insurance of that nature?

what is the criteria for being approved for something of that sort? I am the citizen, and went to the ER (during my probation period at a new job = no insurance) and got slapped with an expected $4000 bill. They put me on a payment plan, and off I went. it sucks, but is reality.

I've heard cases of tourists here on a tourist visa who have been eligible to get emergency medicaid, thats why I made that comment. They also had no job here, no insurance, nothing. But they still got the emergency medicaid, so why were they eligible?

maybe something like travelers insurance.

[~ Karima ~ 0]

Contact the hospital billing dept and talk to them..... they may be able to set up a payment plan for you to pay it off... you can not get medicaid.... there may be charities around who could help but your best option is to speak to the hospital...

Hope you recover quickly..

Kez

Kez, why would she not be eligible for some sort of emergency medicaid or any insurance of that nature?

Isn't Medicaid considered Public Assistance?

[notrepetiteashley 0]

My husband had to spend a night in the hospital before he had his green card and health insurance. We are still paying the bill and it's been 2 years. The hospital set up a payment plan we could afford, but did not offer us any info on emergency health insurance. Hell, I'm a USC and I have no health insurance! My job doesn't offer it. I wish someone would give me emergency health insurance. Shoulda moved to Canada. Sigh.

[dayana_1313 0]

I was in a similar situation in that my husband (at the time when he was my fiance) was sick and needed to get treatment from a doctor before our ceremony. I just assumed that our insurance didn't cover him as we weren't married yet, but I checked just to be sure. Turned out that even though we weren't married, because he was here on a K-1 visa and we were to be getting married, he was covered. Though I'm sure you've already looked into this, I'm going to say it in case others are in a similar situation: my advice is to take it up with your insurance company even though you're not married yet - your fiance(e) may still be covered!

I hope you're feeling better soon - good luck.

Hey, just had a question in regards to your post. How did your insurance company know your husband was here on a K-1 visa? I'm sure my fiance's insurance company doesnt know about me or the fact I'm here on a K-1 visa, he has never mentioned it to them. Did you notify your insurance company beforehand? Thanks

[lou_7979 0]

Kez, why would she not be eligible for some sort of emergency medicaid or any insurance of that nature?

what is the criteria for being approved for something of that sort? I am the citizen, and went to the ER (during my probation period at a new job = no insurance) and got slapped with an expected $4000 bill. They put me on a payment plan, and off I went. it sucks, but is reality.

I've heard cases of tourists here on a tourist visa who have been eligible to get emergency medicaid, thats why I made that comment. They also had no job here, no insurance, nothing. But they still got the emergency medicaid, so why were they eligible?

maybe something like travelers insurance.

No, it wasnt travelers insurance. It was emergency medicaid, that I'm sure of. How they got it? No clue. Maybe it had to do with their visa, I really dont know. But there may be something available if you speak to a social worker in the hospital.

[Meriem_DZ 37]

A lot of hospitals give charity to people with low or no income and they have no insurance. They will reduce your bill or wipe it away completely according to what your income is. Just call and ask the hospital if they give charity.

Meriem

[dayana_1313 0]

A lot of hospitals give charity to people with low or no income and they have no insurance. They will reduce your bill or wipe it away completely according to what your income is. Just call and ask the hospital if they give charity.

Meriem

Well, I'm not working now, so I have no income. But since my fiance had to fill out an Affidavit of Support when I came here on a K-1 visa, would I therefore be ineligible for the charity or emergency medicaid/insurance? And if I do receive aid, would this affect my Adjust. of Status application in anyway? Thats my concern...

Edited March 12, 2007 by dayana_1313

[Meriem_DZ 37]

A lot of hospitals give charity to people with low or no income and they have no insurance. They will reduce your bill or wipe it away completely according to what your income is. Just call and ask the hospital if they give charity.

Meriem

Well, I'm not working now, so I have no income. But since my husband had to fill out an Affidavit of Support when I came here on a K-1 visa, would I therefore be ineligible for the charity or emergency medicaid/insurance? And if I do receive aid, would this affect my Adjust. of Status application in anyway? Thats my concern...

I wouldn't think so. Hospital charity is not government help, It's just getting your bill reduced. Everyone has rough times and getting hurt is not your fault. The cost of medical care and medicine was a big shock for Hachemi when he came here. When he was having his medical for the visa, the immigration Dr. in Algiers made hachemi go to a Heart Dr. because he had a heart murmur. He saw the cardiologist, had a ekg and an echo cardiagram and it cost about 30 dollars. In the USA, there is no telling what it would have cost him.

Meriem

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Contact the hospital billing dept and talk to them..... they may be able to set up a payment plan for you to pay it off... you can not get medicaid.... there may be charities around who could help but your best option is to speak to the hospital...

Hope you recover quickly..

Kez

Kez, why would she not be eligible for some sort of emergency medicaid or any insurance of that nature?

There is nothing to stop her getting insurance.... maybe they should have looked into that prior to arrival in the US... as for medicare, it is a means tested benefit. the whole reason we have to complete the Affidavit of Support is to show that we will not claim public benefits once we are in the US....

Sorry but bad planning on the part of the immigrant does not mean free heath care.. sort out a payment plan with the hospital and check out getting insurance....

Kez