Health Insurance (for pregnancy too)

[asaeljethro 162]

Hey guys,

 

My wife and I are waiting for our Marriage Certificate to come in the mail before we process the AOS Stuff. Just had a question though about health insurance. 

 

I'm still a full time student with a part time job but make at least $18,000 a year. I dont have health insurance with my work as I have student health insurance still.

 

Before my wife gets pregnant, obviously health insurance would be best to have first. I've been researching about health insurance for her but have not found any specific answers especially coming from a K1 Visa.

 

Do any of you guys have experience/suggestions as to what health insurance we should get, and also the cost too.

 

We live in Los Angeles, California btw.

 

Thanks in Advance.

[Boiler 45,522]

Add her to yours?

[asaeljethro 162]

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Add her to yours?

I have a "default" limited student health insurance through my school, in which they force their students to have and we students pay for it before a semester starts.

 

I dont think I can add her there.

[Boiler 45,522]

2 minutes ago, asaeljethro said:

I have a "default" limited student health insurance through my school, in which they force their students to have and we students pay for it before a semester starts.

 

I dont think I can add her there.

Certainly some Student arrangements allow it.

[databit 328]

It will be better to wait and file your taxes jointly in January. For ACA in California they will want to see proof of income in the form of paystubs and taxes.  But if you only made $18k in 2017, and that is what you will continue to earn in 2018 and the wife will earn zero, that income for 2 people is below the poverty level and she will NOT qualify for ACA and will need to apply for Medi-Cal.  But if she plans on working, or you make more in 2018 the cutoff for Medi-Cal is only $22,170!!! So any additional income in 2018 of a few thousand dollars and you will be immediately cut-off from Medi-Cal and have to apply to ACA! There may be insurance gaps and a lot of paperwork.

 

You will need to really figure out your money situation for 2018 FIRST.

 

In the meantime, use birth control!

Edited December 27, 2017 by databit

[yuna628 9,676]

1 hour ago, databit said:

It will be better to wait and file your taxes jointly in January. For ACA in California they will want to see proof of income in the form of paystubs and taxes.  But if you only made $18k in 2017, and that is what you will continue to earn in 2018 and the wife will earn zero, that income for 2 people is below the poverty level and she will NOT qualify for ACA and will need to apply for Medi-Cal.  But if she plans on working, or you make more in 2018 the cutoff for Medi-Cal is only $22,170!!! So any additional income in 2018 of a few thousand dollars and you will be immediately cut-off from Medi-Cal and have to apply to ACA! There may be insurance gaps and a lot of paperwork.

 

You will need to really figure out your money situation for 2018 FIRST.

 

In the meantime, use birth control!

Why do you think his wife won't qualify to use Covered California (ACA/O'care)?

 

The OP could certainly have signed up for Covered California himself, and added his wife. Insurance premiums will cost him, but it costs pretty much everyone. Making below a certain level and they may qualify for subsidy, which is fine, because legal immigrants are allowed. The OP could also buy any insurance plan privately offered in his state and add his wife for coverage. Again it will cost him, but that's the way insurance goes.

 

[asaeljethro 162]

I am currently on MediCal as well. but of course I know my wife will not qualify for that. I mean...I'm willing to have options and look for alternatives such as having private insurance.

[databit 328]

1 hour ago, yuna628 said:

Why do you think his wife won't qualify to use Covered California (ACA/O'care)?

 

The OP could certainly have signed up for Covered California himself, and added his wife. Insurance premiums will cost him, but it costs pretty much everyone. Making below a certain level and they may qualify for subsidy, which is fine, because legal immigrants are allowed. The OP could also buy any insurance plan privately offered in his state and add his wife for coverage. Again it will cost him, but that's the way insurance goes.

 

Because OP makes too little for 2 people to qualify for ACA.

 

In California, if a household of two earn under the "household modified adjusted gross income" (not gross income) and it is below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) he and his wife will be determined eligible for Medi-Cal (and enrollment into a Medi-Cal plan in Los Angeles County).

For this past year (2017) 138%  of the FPL for 2 people was $22,412 (and will be HIGHER for 2018). And if he or they make any more money than that, they will be dropped from Medi-Cal and then they will qualify for ACA. 
 

[milimelo 4,481]

Wife gets a job with insurance before getting pregnant? 

[AshMarty 360]

Once you have a child you will need to provide health insurance for three people. Yourself, you, and the baby.

 

How much longer are you in school? Would it be worth it waiting a little longer to find a job that provides health insurance for you and your family members?

Edited December 28, 2017 by AshMarty