Health insurance

[Newbie2016 0]

Hi everyone,

I just applied for my green card and I'm waiting for it. I wanted to get health insurance, but it's proving to be a little more complicated than I thought. I called an insurance broker and they were only able to find one plan that works for me given that I don't have a SSN. The premium was very high and the coverage was not great. Do I get a SSN when my work authorization (I-765) gets approved? Any tips for health coverage in the meantime?

Additional info: my husband can't add me on to his health plan since he's in a family plan and I don't qualify for it.

Thank you!

[yuna628 9,747]

Hi everyone,

I just applied for my green card and I'm waiting for it. I wanted to get health insurance, but it's proving to be a little more complicated than I thought. I called an insurance broker and they were only able to find one plan that works for me given that I don't have a SSN. The premium was very high and the coverage was not great. Do I get a SSN when my work authorization (I-765) gets approved? Any tips for health coverage in the meantime?

Additional info: my husband can't add me on to his health plan since he's in a family plan and I don't qualify for it.

Thank you!

Hi there,

You having an SSN or not does not do the following:

Prevent you from obtaining health insurance.

Give you a plan with a cheaper rate.

I don't know what visa you entered the US on, but obtaining an SSN has nothing much to do with immigration process but it is something the immigrant should try and get as soon as they are able. If you entered on a fiancé visa, for instance, you could go to the SSA and obtain an SSN a few days after you set foot in the country. For some people though there can be some issues obtaining one, usually remedied by the time they receive their EAD.

By law, if you are here legally, your immigration status doesn't bar you from obtaining health insurance, and in most cases giving your SSN out to an insurer is not legally required. You have the right to seek insurance privately, you have the right to obtain it via work, you have the right to obtain it if your spouse has insurance via their workplace, and you have the right to obtain it via the federal or state exchange (Obamacare). You qualify for Obamacare right now in the same way you qualify for buying private insurance. Private brokers, and even federal employees working for the exchanges often haven't a clue, so you may need to seek out more than one individual. There are also persons that are health care advisors that can help you apply for the exchanges.

And i'll be honest here: most insurances are going to be expensive and will only have better coverage the more of a premium you shell out.

So can you tell me what you entered on? Why you did not obtain an SSN from the get-go? What do you mean by the 'husband's family plan'?

[teeak 224]

Yep, once you get your EAD/AP combo card, you can apply for a SSN.

If there is still more than 2 weeks left on your I-94, then you may still be able to obtain an SSN. It'll just say something along the lines of "not authorized for work". But, you'd be able to get the phrase removed once you receive your EAD card.

[Newbie2016 0]

Thanks for the info! I entered as a visitor and applied for AOS from visitor status (we originally came for a visit but later decided to stay). So right now I'm still just a visitor. I don't even have an I-94 because I'm Canadian and apparently they don't really issue them to Canadian visitors. I thought I wouldn't even be able to get an SSN right now. Is that correct?

Also, Obamacare is not considered a form of "financial aid", right? Since we had to fill an I-864 saying I'm not able to receive "financial aid", I just wanted to be extra sure I'm fine.

My husband is part of his family's health plan, but it's a plan I can't be a part of since I'm over 26 years old.

Thanks!

[yuna628 9,747]

Thanks for the info! I entered as a visitor and applied for AOS from visitor status (we originally came for a visit but later decided to stay). So right now I'm still just a visitor. I don't even have an I-94 because I'm Canadian and apparently they don't really issue them to Canadian visitors. I thought I wouldn't even be able to get an SSN right now. Is that correct?

Also, Obamacare is not considered a form of "financial aid", right? Since we had to fill an I-864 saying I'm not able to receive "financial aid", I just wanted to be extra sure I'm fine.

My husband is part of his family's health plan, but it's a plan I can't be a part of since I'm over 26 years old.

Thanks!

At this point you will most likely need to wait for an SSN until you receive an EAD.

Obamacare is not financial aid. Think of it.. like this: The federal exchange is like a glorified google search bar for health insurances available for you to use. Most of the insurances on the federal website are literally nearly the same plans you can buy privately. The subsidies are only available to certain individuals, and many don't qualify; you most likely won't qualify for a cheaper rate with a subsidy. But your immigration status also does not exclude you for qualifying for a subsidy either. So either way if you use Obamacare, you'll either be offered plans available without a subsidy or if you qualify with a subsidy.

Obamacare website has a huge section for determining what status qualifies you and what documents you need. See the link in my signature.

As I said if you feel more comfortable just using a private plan, rather than deal with the federal/state process, an insurance company in general should not require an SSN from you by law and it has no effect on how cheap that plan is. Or you could try and wait til you receive your EAD and then apply for one if you run into problems. I purchased a private joint plan for my husband, and no SSN was required. Plans are usually divided into levels: bronze = high deductible but lower premium (that's to be debated because I don't find my premium so low, ha!), silver = lower deductible but mid range to high premium, and gold = a glorious amazing barely there deductible but scary high premium.

All persons residing in the US must have health insurance or pay a penalty in taxes. Keep in mind plenty of people feel that the cost is worth the risk. The penalty for this fiscal year is $600+, which is far cheaper than a year's worth of premiums if you feel the risk is small and there are plenty of clinics in town that can provide care. It's all really in how much you want to pay and what your options are. Has the husband considered other insurance options that would work better in covering both of you jointly?