Divorce / ROC / pregnant / no insurance

[Mumin 0]

This may not be the best place to post this question so feel free to move it to an appropriate place in the forum.

Long story short.

Was married for a year and it was in good faith (but ended badly) - I have a greencard that expires at the end of March 2017.. I was then seperated for over a year (state law) and just finally started the divorce process so I could proceed to ROC before I run out of time. As far as evidence for ROC I am confident - I had a consultation with a lawyer who said I have what it takes. As far as the divorce goes - I'm claiming nothing and neither is he - it's a kind of "both in fault divorce", no alimony or anything of that sort.

SO.. Two days ago I got the news that I was pregnant. It came out of nowhere. I've been with my current boyfriend for about 10 months and I love him deerly and he is overjoyed with the news and so idealistic, whereas I am absolutely dazed and terrified at the timing of events and sobbing in a corner.

I am trying to be productive and on the hunt for healthcare and I understand that my options are extremely limited. My current insurance is just about expired/cancelled. (we made an agreement to stay on the healthcare plan together until we divorce). - Matter of days at this point.

I understand that medicaid has the option (in some states including mine, North Carolina) to waive the 5 year waiting period for expecting mothers during pregnancy + delivery. What I don't know is if they will later still bill my sponsor (ex father in law) since it qualifies as a subsidy?

I really, really don't want any more trouble with my ex and his family, I just want everything over and no strings attached, and I really don't want to violate any laws regarding the affidavit of support. We've all hurt eachother enough. I want everyone to be happy and move forward.

If I don't qualify for medicaid or obamacare where do I turn to? My job also has no insurance for me.

I've called a bunch of independent healthcare providers today and just at the mention of being a greencard holder + in very early stages of pregnancy (3 weeks tops) left them completely clueless as to whom to refer me to.

ANY suggestions would be most helpful.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to Effects of Major Family Changes on Immigration Benefits Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

Edited September 23, 2016 by Pitaya

[yuna628 9,678]

You are certainly qualified to use Obamacare. Open enrollment is in November, but as you are about to lose coverage via divorce I would think that should be a trigger to place you into a special enrollment period. O'care is not the same as Medicare or Medicaid which has the five year limit. It's open for immigrants as long as you provide qualifying documents. https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/coverage/

In addition I see no reason why you could not also obtain health insurance from any insurer you would like, especially during open enrollment. But for the meantime if you need coverage go with the federal exchange. As long as you can afford the premium, I'd give them a call and discuss it with them. And don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor.

[Gypsy Girl 0]

you can try to apply for Obamacare under "Qualifying Life Event (QLE) A change in your situation"... see link --https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/qualifying-life-event/

Best of Luck

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

It was my understanding, and it could be incorrect, that the medicaid while you are pregnant is viewed as providing for the USC child you are carrying and won't be an issue with the I-864.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

It was my understanding, and it could be incorrect, that the medicaid while you are pregnant is viewed as providing for the USC child you are carrying and won't be an issue with the I-864.

She will qualify for emergency medicaid for child birth.

Once the USC child is born, she could obtain WIC / CHIP for the child.

Her current Boyfriend should help pay for her medical fees as well.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Received CHIP Perinatal for prenatal care twice while I was a LPR. No problems whatsoever.

[Mumin 0]

You are certainly qualified to use Obamacare. Open enrollment is in November, but as you are about to lose coverage via divorce I would think that should be a trigger to place you into a special enrollment period. O'care is not the same as Medicare or Medicaid which has the five year limit. It's open for immigrants as long as you provide qualifying documents. https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/

Made it through the application after a bunch of failed attempts.. Apparently my SSN and A# were invalid just a week ago..

Tried again today from a different computer just for the heck of it, and it worked..

Anywhom, I made it through and it appears that as far as Obamacare OR Medicaid - I am just under the minimum requirement for ''savings'' (made a little less than $11.800 last year and this year will be worse) so I have no Idea what I'll end up paying or how I'll be covered. It's now in the process of being analyzed.

[Mumin 0]

Received CHIP Perinatal for prenatal care twice while I was a LPR. No problems whatsoever.

That's very reassuring, dear Hungarian friend/neighbour. - Slovenian here

I just finally filled out the application.. had a few bumps along the way.. The income part seems scary as mine going to be pretty low this year, and I had no idea the coverage savings are cut off if you don't make OVER a certain amount a year... very confusing concept to me. My boyfriend has been more than amazing covering all my cut-back hours so we will get by just fine - but on paper it looks pretty bad.

Fingers crossed.

[Mumin 0]

Her current Boyfriend should help pay for her medical fees as well.

Oh yes he will !

Honestly, It's really about getting into a system that will ''take care of me'' for now, and then the baby - and if it wont cost us a small fortune, then that's amazing too.

I've talked to what honestly felt like a billion healthcare providers once I filled out an online quote thingy.. So aggressive. Once I begun to explain my exact situation there was just this awkward pause and wall of silence.. ''Uhmm.. ma'aam.. I don't think we can help you.'' It appears that all the super highly advertised and highly rated ''affordable'' plans won't take on a pregnant soon-to-be-divorced immigrant girl with a lousy salary. Or they offer these very lousy short-term plans with ridiculous premiums and fine prints galore.. After a few days of dealing with that and making my own calls I broke down and stopped.

So here's to hoping medicaid/CHIP/Obamacare will take me on. Application filled out and now we wait.

Edited October 6, 2016 by TBoneTX
to emend a prohibited word

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

That's very reassuring, dear Hungarian friend/neighbour. - Slovenian here

I just finally filled out the application.. had a few bumps along the way.. The income part seems scary as mine going to be pretty low this year, and I had no idea the coverage savings are cut off if you don't make OVER a certain amount a year... very confusing concept to me. My boyfriend has been more than amazing covering all my cut-back hours so we will get by just fine - but on paper it looks pretty bad.

Fingers crossed.

No, that's not so. The only thing on CHIP Perinatal that's not covered under a certain income is the hospital stay for the labor & delivery. That's because under a certain income Emergency Medicaid will cover it, which they'll want you to apply for.

[NikLR 13,227]

This varies by state. Some states provide medicaid for the unborn child, and some provide it for pregnant mothers. You need to figure out what your options are obviously, and do it sooner vs later.

Best of luck on your ROC.