No health insurance??

[tito 1]

I have been trying to secure health insurance for my now wife (who arrived on a K-1 Visa) while our AOS application is pending, but I am told by the insurance salespeople that they won't insure unless and until the alien is a permanent resident. Cannot get credit because no job, no job because no work permit, work permit application is pending. Can't get auto insurance because wife doesn't drive; can't drive because DMV will not issue license OR EVEN A MERE ID CARD because K-1 has now expired, even though the AOS application is pending. This is all one big circuitous chasing of a tail.

So...what's the deal with health insurance for aliens who are not permanent residents? They want all this evidence to issue a green card, but the evidence they want requires a green card. Any comments or thoughts?

[tiberonsuave 0]

My work insurance covered my wife. All that was needed was marraige license. She did have out of network charges for services in Colombia. However, they were cheaper than copays for services in network in the US. Most work insurances give you thirty days from a qualifing event.

t

I have been trying to secure health insurance for my now wife (who arrived on a K-1 Visa) while our AOS application is pending, but I am told by the insurance salespeople that they won't insure unless and until the alien is a permanent resident. Cannot get credit because no job, no job because no work permit, work permit application is pending. Can't get auto insurance because wife doesn't drive; can't drive because DMV will not issue license OR EVEN A MERE ID CARD because K-1 has now expired, even though the AOS application is pending. This is all one big circuitous chasing of a tail.

So...what's the deal with health insurance for aliens who are not permanent residents? They want all this evidence to issue a green card, but the evidence they want requires a green card. Any comments or thoughts?

[jmurray 0]

i couldn't get health insurance for my husband when we got married because they wouldn't issue him a social security card until after he got his work permit... i only had a 30 day window to add him to mine and since he didn't get his ead until like 4 months later he had to go without any insurance... extremely frustrating i know

good luck to you, sorry i can't be of more help

[Allie&Leo 0]

I just got my husband a short term (3 month) health insurance thru Blue Cross Blue Shield. It can't be renewed but not too many questions asked. Just had to fax them the K1 Visa and gave them SS#. Around $120 for 3 months with $500 ded. Pretty much just a good policy if something really severe happened but I feel better that he has something. Quick to get while we have time to decide on better coverage either thru his future employment, my work plan, or individual plans. Good Luck.

[ridejewel 0]

I got my wife on LifeWise, she has no SSN yet. All they wanted was her alien number. As for the ID card, we never had to show her I-94 for that, just 3 pieces of ID: e.g. Birth cert., foreign drivers license and passport...I think we also showed her high school diploma for additional evidence. You need a SSN for a drivers license or permit.

[*JG* 2]

I have been trying to secure health insurance for my now wife (who arrived on a K-1 Visa) while our AOS application is pending, but I am told by the insurance salespeople that they won't insure unless and until the alien is a permanent resident. Cannot get credit because no job, no job because no work permit, work permit application is pending. Can't get auto insurance because wife doesn't drive; can't drive because DMV will not issue license OR EVEN A MERE ID CARD because K-1 has now expired, even though the AOS application is pending. This is all one big circuitous chasing of a tail.

So...what's the deal with health insurance for aliens who are not permanent residents? They want all this evidence to issue a green card, but the evidence they want requires a green card. Any comments or thoughts?

My work insurance covered my husband. All we need was his Alien number and a copy of our marriage certificate.

The rest of what you mentioned........yah, that is all a waiting game that eventually works itself out.

[~ Karima ~ 0]

I have been trying to secure health insurance for my now wife (who arrived on a K-1 Visa) while our AOS application is pending, but I am told by the insurance salespeople that they won't insure unless and until the alien is a permanent resident. Cannot get credit because no job, no job because no work permit, work permit application is pending. Can't get auto insurance because wife doesn't drive; can't drive because DMV will not issue license OR EVEN A MERE ID CARD because K-1 has now expired, even though the AOS application is pending. This is all one big circuitous chasing of a tail.

So...what's the deal with health insurance for aliens who are not permanent residents? They want all this evidence to issue a green card, but the evidence they want requires a green card. Any comments or thoughts?

I added my husband to my insurance through work with no problems and his AOS is still pending as well. All they wanted was his name, SS#, DOB and the date we were married. They also changed my last name and sent me a new card. We are with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Are you going through an employer or taking out a personal policy? I suggest trying a different carrier.

As far as the DL goes, that is normal. My husband was able to get a DL, but it expired once his I-94 expired. He was able to renew it once he received his EAD with no problems.

Do you have any credit cards of your own that you can add your wife as an authorized user? Doing so will help her to establish some credit until she can work and get one on her own.

[Krikit 1,164]

Blue Cross/Blue Shield added me to my husband's insurance from the moment I entered the country. They said we didn't have to wait until we were married because I came in on a K1 Visa.

[pnd629 0]

I was able to add my husband to my employer paid insurance right after we were married. We didn't have to wait for "Open Enrollment" (the time in which employees can make changes to their coverage).

At our AOS interview, we were told that a person with a pending AOS application is eligible for a driver's license. Our interviewer told us there is a program called "SAVE" that the DMV can use to verify the pending application--he said it takes about two weeks. We didn't have to use that program because my husband's EAD card arrived.

I also added my husband to a couple credit cards as an authorized user--no SSN or driver's license number was required.

[JT4/25 38]

I have Aetna Insurance at work...and they added my husband the day we got married. Just needed a copy of the marriage certificate. The other thing you can do is just get short term health insurance (the kind you would get when you go on vacation). good luck.

[MariaEric 0]

I kept my private health insurance in Spain until we got married and got my military ID and health insurance. That being said, it only covered up to $8500 if something happened to me outside Spain, but at least it was something. Sorry i cannot be of any help either, I understand it is very frustrating i feel the same way at times

Good luck

[cellarlily 0]

I wish I had added my husband to my insurance right away because now it seems I'll never be able to add him. He had to be added within 31 days of a "lifestyle" event change...meaning 31 days from marriage or his entry into the United States. :\ We didn't add him right away because I figured once he started working he would get better benefits through his company, but we changed our minds and decided to add him to my plan.

Oh well, at least he'll be able to get health insurance through his future employer.

[*JG* 2]

I wish I had added my husband to my insurance right away because now it seems I'll never be able to add him. He had to be added within 31 days of a "lifestyle" event change...meaning 31 days from marriage or his entry into the United States. :\ We didn't add him right away because I figured once he started working he would get better benefits through his company, but we changed our minds and decided to add him to my plan.

Oh well, at least he'll be able to get health insurance through his future employer.

Sucks. We added Andre in August when he had to go to the ER. My insurer made it retroactive till June 29th, our wedding date, without us even having inquired before. We just had to back pay the premiums. It was heaven sent.

[~ Karima ~ 0]

I wish I had added my husband to my insurance right away because now it seems I'll never be able to add him. He had to be added within 31 days of a "lifestyle" event change...meaning 31 days from marriage or his entry into the United States. :\ We didn't add him right away because I figured once he started working he would get better benefits through his company, but we changed our minds and decided to add him to my plan.

Oh well, at least he'll be able to get health insurance through his future employer.

That must be something specific with your insurance carrier. I just added my husband about 2-1/2 weeks ago and he'd already been here for almost 4 months. I too did not add him right away because I was hoping he would get his own through his employer, but when we found out he wouldn't, I added him to mine. Never once did they say anything about any special requirements to add him.

[cellarlily 0]

Must be. :\ I asked her specifically if this means he can never be added to my insurance and she hasn't replied. It seems from her previous responses that is the case.

I'm just a worrier and don't like the fact that he won't have insurance for so long. *knock on wood* but neither of us has been sick in a long time.