Health Insurance while waiting for a green card

[Kevosnow 0]

I’m new to this forum, and haven’t had the time to thoroughly search all of the threads yet.

 

I’m a U.S. citizen who married my wife, a Japanese citizen, while she was on a tourist visa at the beginning of October 2017. We submitted all of the paperwork for her adjustment of status, and are currently waiting to hear further information from USCIS after she went through the step of giving her fingerprints and pictures in early November.

 

I am a 30 year old who is currently disabled and on Medicare and Medicaid. My question is: How far along through the green card process can my wife apply for health insurance? How and through what route would she apply for health insurance? Would it be through Medicare or Medicaid since I’m disabled and use those programs, or? She’s having tooth ache problems and obviously can’t just fly back and forth to Japan to see her dentist currently.

 

Sorry if this has already been answered. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  She will not qualify for medicare until she is 65 and may have to buy into it if she doesn't have the work history. Medicaid is a state run thing , and eligibility can run from soonish to 5 years as an LPR.  

[azblk 338]

1 hour ago, Kevosnow said:

I’m new to this forum, and haven’t had the time to thoroughly search all of the threads yet.

 

I’m a U.S. citizen who married my wife, a Japanese citizen, while she was on a tourist visa at the beginning of October 2017. We submitted all of the paperwork for her adjustment of status, and are currently waiting to hear further information from USCIS after she went through the step of giving her fingerprints and pictures in early November.

 

I am a 30 year old who is currently disabled and on Medicare and Medicaid. My question is: How far along through the green card process can my wife apply for health insurance? How and through what route would she apply for health insurance? Would it be through Medicare or Medicaid since I’m disabled and use those programs, or? She’s having tooth ache problems and obviously can’t just fly back and forth to Japan to see her dentist currently.

 

Sorry if this has already been answered. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Obamacare should help

[yuna628 9,747]

1 hour ago, Kevosnow said:

I’m new to this forum, and haven’t had the time to thoroughly search all of the threads yet.

 

I’m a U.S. citizen who married my wife, a Japanese citizen, while she was on a tourist visa at the beginning of October 2017. We submitted all of the paperwork for her adjustment of status, and are currently waiting to hear further information from USCIS after she went through the step of giving her fingerprints and pictures in early November.

 

I am a 30 year old who is currently disabled and on Medicare and Medicaid. My question is: How far along through the green card process can my wife apply for health insurance? How and through what route would she apply for health insurance? Would it be through Medicare or Medicaid since I’m disabled and use those programs, or? She’s having tooth ache problems and obviously can’t just fly back and forth to Japan to see her dentist currently.

 

Sorry if this has already been answered. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there, your wife will not be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, as immigrants have no access to these programs, but she does have some options.

 

1) Sign her up for the federal exchange (Ocare) or state exchange if you have one. However, since she came here on a tourist visa and adjusted, she will lack a few document protections required to use the exchange faster than others who came here using a fiancé or spousal visa for instance. There is also a limited timeframe for her to apply for this, as open enrollment will end soon. By the time she has the documents she will also likely miss the timeframe required to qualify under special enrollment as well. To know how soon she could try to enroll, would be important to know what documents she has - for instance did you apply for an EAD+AP with the AOS? The earliest document she could try with is the EAD, and if not the green card. You may also be able to try with the NOA1 for the AOS, however I can't guarantee how successful you'd be considering the way she has adjusted, and I would assume she also doesn't have an SSN yet (it's not a requirement but it does make things a lot easier to argue). There is a cost here, don't expect any big savings if successful.

 

2) You can purchase insurance for her right now, via any insurer available in your state. There are some insurances that offer dental plans tacked on, but typically insurance covers only medical aspects - not dental aspects. If it is dental specific, you can explore dental insurers if the cost is a concern. Remember everyone must purchase health insurance or pay a fine come tax time. It's not a requirement, and the cost of the fine is far cheaper than a years worth of monthly premiums. You need to weigh what best works for you financially. Obviously she cannot go back to Japan with her current status yet.

 

Those are your best bets right now: from personal experience I have never had dental insurance until recently. I've paid everything out of pocket, and yes it is expensive. Dental insurance can be mediocre at best, unless you are lucky to have a good one. I personally recommend Delta, however it very much depends on if the dentist you choose participates. However, bear in mind, if the problem is related to just one tooth in your spouse's mouth, you may find that the cost of xray+repair a local dentist will charge is comparable to a month or two month's worth of health insurance premiums to begin with. In addition a lot of dentists also use CareCredit, which can be used pay charges off slowly. Whatever you choose, I hope you find something that works for you.

[Kevosnow 0]

22 hours ago, yuna628 said:

Hi there, your wife will not be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, as immigrants have no access to these programs, but she does have some options.

 

1) Sign her up for the federal exchange (Ocare) or state exchange if you have one. However, since she came here on a tourist visa and adjusted, she will lack a few document protections required to use the exchange faster than others who came here using a fiancé or spousal visa for instance. There is also a limited timeframe for her to apply for this, as open enrollment will end soon. By the time she has the documents she will also likely miss the timeframe required to qualify under special enrollment as well. To know how soon she could try to enroll, would be important to know what documents she has - for instance did you apply for an EAD+AP with the AOS? The earliest document she could try with is the EAD, and if not the green card. You may also be able to try with the NOA1 for the AOS, however I can't guarantee how successful you'd be considering the way she has adjusted, and I would assume she also doesn't have an SSN yet (it's not a requirement but it does make things a lot easier to argue). There is a cost here, don't expect any big savings if successful.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

Yes, she has applied for EAD. I don’t think we submitted anything for “Adance parole.” What is that exactly?

Also, if absolutely necessary, is there a way to get granted permission for her to travel back to Japan for a short period in order to see her dentist? Almost feel like a round-trip ticket would be cheaper than buying into our terrible healthcare system right now.

 

Thanks again.

[yuna628 9,747]

27 minutes ago, Kevosnow said:

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

Yes, she has applied for EAD. I don’t think we submitted anything for “Adance parole.” What is that exactly?

Also, if absolutely necessary, is there a way to get granted permission for her to travel back to Japan for a short period in order to see her dentist? Almost feel like a round-trip ticket would be cheaper than buying into our terrible healthcare system right now.

 

Thanks again.

No. She can leave, but without AP (it gives her the ability to travel) or a Green Card in hand she cannot come back in. Furthermore you would forfeit the adjustment of status process and would have to start all over with a spousal visa.

 

There are dental schools out there that may offer cheaper treatments if money is tight... but as I said, the reality is if you can't afford insurance at the moment (even dental insurance by itself) the cost of dental treatment to a single tooth will likely be cheaper or on par with one or two months worth of premiums.

[Kevosnow 0]

16 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

No. She can leave, but without AP (it gives her the ability to travel) or a Green Card in hand she cannot come back in. Furthermore you would forfeit the adjustment of status process and would have to start all over with a spousal visa.

 

Okay. Does anyone know how long it *typically* takes for an I-131(travel authorization) to be processed and granted?

[Kevosnow 0]

Also, I’m guessing since we did apply for EAD, that when she gets her EAD card, that will serve as Advance Parole and allow her to travel in and out? Would applying for the I-131 be worthless, or would it be processed quicker than her EAD?

 

Thanks again.

Edited December 6, 2017 by Kevosnow

[lms 50]

I am pretty sure; all other issues aside, that a dentist visit and paying cash for that is cheaper than a flight to Japan. Luckily with a painful tooth she has the time to go price shopping. 

 

Aside from that: what I got for next year is a catastrophic plan (I am a healthy under 30 therefore eligible for it; was the cheapest option but still covers my ### if something super horrible (god forbid) would happen). I pay out of pocket until I reach 7500$ (I usually spend about 500-800$ a year for OB-GYN and Dentist yearly check-ups). 

 

Hope that helps. 

 

AP & EAD are two different forms ;). Did you apply for both? If not, her EAD will not automatically also be an Advance Parole. 

[yuna628 9,747]

1 hour ago, Kevosnow said:

Also, I’m guessing since we did apply for EAD, that when she gets her EAD card, that will serve as Advance Parole and allow her to travel in and out? Would applying for the I-131 be worthless, or would it be processed quicker than her EAD?

 

Thanks again.

Both forms have to be applied for. Apply for the EAD and you only receive the EAD - that is simply a temporary work document. When you apply for both with AOS, they wave the fees for the two additional forms. You could attempt to apply for it now, however I'm unsure if the fee for the form would then apply (which also would be a big expense). Someone should be able to answer that question for you. AP is approved in the same time frame as the EAD typically (when applied together it is a combo card), so somewhere around 90-120 days. No guarantee. There have been instances of persons already filing for the EAD+AP and then requesting an expedite in an emergency situation, not sure if it would work now at such a delayed timeframe. Your time for receiving an EAD should be soon, there really would be no point... additional waste of time, money, and effort meanwhile your wife's tooth still needs looking at you know?

 

Needing to find an insurance option that works for you is going to be a long term issue. She can't buy a ticket every time she needs medical care.

Edited December 6, 2017 by yuna628

[Kevosnow 0]

3 hours ago, lms said:

I am pretty sure; all other issues aside, that a dentist visit and paying cash for that is cheaper than a flight to Japan. Luckily with a painful tooth she has the time to go price shopping. 

 

Aside from that: what I got for next year is a catastrophic plan (I am a healthy under 30 therefore eligible for it; was the cheapest option but still covers my ### if something super horrible (god forbid) would happen). I pay out of pocket until I reach 7500$ (I usually spend about 500-800$ a year for OB-GYN and Dentist yearly check-ups). 

 

Hope that helps. 

 

AP & EAD are two different forms ;). Did you apply for both? If not, her EAD will not automatically also be an Advance Parole. 

We didn't apply for the AP form(I-131) as it wasn't a requirement and would cost significantly more $$$$.

 

I'm coming to the conclusion that you're correct: Taking her to my(or a different) dentist in the U.S. and paying out of pocket now would be cheaper, and a wise long-term solution than having her go to Japan to see the dentist.

 

Thanks again for the replies and insight.

[Kevosnow 0]

1 hour ago, Dee elle said:

AP when applied at the same time as AOS is free... it is not required but an option... 

Ah, thanks. Well, then I may see if my wife wants to fill it out and if USCIS will still take it? Either way, we are making a call to the dentist tomorrow to see if they’ll see her and price options.