Very Uncommon Situation

[jrigbra 4]

Hey guys,

Somewhat of a odd situation here. Not sure how to proceed. I am Dutch and on F1 status, graduated with MBA this last may, in wait for OPT card ( Ive been working a CPT job for the past year and will continue there under OPT). Wife, is Brazilian, graduated this past December and is currently on OPT at the same place I am going to work. It is a church, and as soon as my OPT card comes out will be filing for R1 (religious visa) for us. Lo and Behold we find out yesterday that she is pregnant. I am at a loss as I have no idea what to do. We have no insurance and are not making much money to cover the likely astronomical bills we have been hearing about. Staying in the country has never been a goal for us but we were able to make deep roots here over the course of the past few years and I definitely see us staying a few more years in service of the Church we work at. So again real fast:

1. I am F1 waiting for OPT card

2. Wife is F1 Already on OPT

3. Wife pregnant

4. No insurance

5. Scared lol

Any ideas and/or advice would be greatly appreciated...

Edited June 23, 2016 by jrigbra

[Merrytooth 5,748]

How about buying your own insurance now?

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

You guys are barely surviving here and you are bringing a child into the mix? The childbirth alone will cost y'all at least $10,000 on a lucky day.

Are you guys looking for other jobs? It is cool and awesome for work for the church, but you guys need to try to earn a living outside of the church.

You have health insurance penalties coming up.

You say you don't intend to stay here for good but is this the life you want for yourself, your child and your family? Are things that bad in your home country?

You have to make smart choices and not let things happen.

[jrigbra 4]

"You guys are barely surviving here and you are bringing a child into the mix?" ... Really Ice couple? No, the baby was not planned. We were not intentionally trying to have a baby. Things like this happen when people are married. This is my first day exploring options and looking into what I can and can`t do. This came out of left field. Was hoping to find someone that has been through a similar situation, or that knows someone who has. From the info that I`ve found it seems that pre-natal insurance isn't even an option? Or that one must first have a policy for 12 months or more before we`d be able to actually use it.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Maternity coverage is one of the 10 essential health benefits that must be covered by all health insurance plans offered to individuals, families, and small groups.Health insurance for pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn baby care became mandatory in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act.

You should be able to get health insurance to cover the pregnancy and childbirth.

Read here:

https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/maternity-insurance-coverage

If you ever use emergency medicaid or similar benefits, you can forget about coming back to US on any visa till you repay the bills.

example:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/336118-i-got-denied-to-re-entry-to-us-because-i-took-medicaid-for-my-son-what-to-do/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/507841-refusal-of-spouse-f-1-visa-on-account-of-child-birth-in-us/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/598691-moms-visa-process-is-on-hold/

[jrigbra 4]

Thanks merry Tooth. Some good info there. I was not even thinking about medicaid. I dont even think we`d be eligible for that. We are in no means trying to sneak our way into this country. A lot of the scenario`s in the links you sent really are of cases of individuals giving birth in the US as a way to "get in" to the country. That is not the case with us per-se. We`ve been married for almost 6 years, have a great marriage and have found a deep sense of purpose at our place of employment. Kids were nowhere in our plans ( hence us not purchasing pre-natal insurance). Anyway, I know that intentions have nothing to do with this. Are there insurance companies that will allow one to purchase pregancy insurance WHILE being pregnant?>

[squareleg 69]

I'm not certain how your graduate degrees...MBAs etc. are qualified under OPT and CPT to work for church. Depends on what your goals as a couple are...abortion is also an option that would solve all of your questions. Kids are expensive and time consuming....also the OPT/CPT would require both of you to be employed....so you have additional daycare expenses....

You have to be both emotionally and financially prepared to raise a child.

Also, going back to your country can solve your problems, if you want to give birth and not abort. You can return to US in future if you feel the need.

[jrigbra 4]

I'm not certain how your graduate degrees...MBAs etc. are qualified under OPT and CPT to work for church. Depends on what your goals as a couple are...abortion is also an option that would solve all of your questions. Kids are expensive and time consuming....also the OPT/CPT would require both of you to be employed....so you have additional daycare expenses....

You have to be both emotionally and financially prepared to raise a child.

Also, going back to your country can solve your problems, if you want to give birth and not abort. You can return to US in future if you feel the need.

No... that is not an option.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Are there insurance companies that will allow one to purchase pregancy insurance WHILE being pregnant?>

Check this website:

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/

Immigrants with the following statuses qualify to use the Marketplace:

• Individual with Non-immigrant Status, includes worker visas (such as H1, H-2A, H-2B), student visas, U-visa, T-visa, and other visas, and citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau

You have to do the legwork, call up the insurance companies and ask.

[newacct 688]

Some states have Medicaid for low-income pregnant women regardless of status

[ManCharsey 254]

You guys are barely surviving here and you are bringing a child into the mix? The childbirth alone will cost y'all at least $10,000 on a lucky day.

Are you guys looking for other jobs? It is cool and awesome for work for the church, but you guys need to try to earn a living outside of the church.

You have health insurance penalties coming up.

You say you don't intend to stay here for good but is this the life you want for yourself, your child and your family? Are things that bad in your home country?

You have to make smart choices and not let things happen.

Here comes the judgmental posts again! smh.

OP is already aware of their situation hence the post..no need making them feel worse.

They can resolve the insurance issue by buying their own insurance albeit it won't be cheap.

[ManCharsey 254]

I'm not certain how your graduate degrees...MBAs etc. are qualified under OPT and CPT to work for church. Depends on what your goals as a couple are...abortion is also an option that would solve all of your questions. Kids are expensive and time consuming....also the OPT/CPT would require both of you to be employed....so you have additional daycare expenses....

You have to be both emotionally and financially prepared to raise a child.

Also, going back to your country can solve your problems, if you want to give birth and not abort. You can return to US in future if you feel the need.

I can't believe you will suggest an abortion but hey, you're entitled to your opinions.

Buying their own insurance will take care of this.

[Rc123rc 528]

+1 on obtaining their own insurance. You also might look into low income services that your own church provides.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Here comes the judgmental posts again! smh.

OP is already aware of their situation hence the post..no need making them feel worse.

They can resolve the insurance issue by buying their own insurance albeit it won't be cheap.

^^Oh here, another judge. Don't lose your head or lock your neck in the "smh"

OP's problem is more than a mere health insurance. If you paid attention to the original post, you would have known that I offered solutions despite my "judgmental".

He asked for opinions and I gave him mine. I didn't call him a bad name or anything. My opinion might be harsh but OP needs a wake up call to do something other than what he is doing now. His job at the church doesn't seem to be bringing in much and with a baby on the way, a health insurance alone is not the only advice he needs.

If I were in his shoes, I would use my own advice.

So don't let the gavel hit your thumb.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I can't believe you will suggest an abortion but hey, you're entitled to your opinions.

Buying their own insurance will take care of this.

You seriously lack comprehension skills. Do you READ to UNDERSTAND?

Edited June 23, 2016 by IcezMan_IcezLady