Should I be upfront about my brain tumor?

[Selenicereus56 1]

44 minutes ago, jle2234 said:

I did IR-1, not AOS, but I seriously doubt the issue will come up at your interview.

 

While my IR-1 application was being processed (not yet approved), I found out that I needed surgery. The wait in Canada would have been 6-8 months, but a surgeon in the U.S. could do the surgery in just two weeks... So I had the surgery done in the U.S., where my husband was living -- and where I now live.

 

The surgery never even came up during my interview. I disclosed my condition at my medical exam and the doctor advised me to have surgery ASAP... when I told him I had already had it, he was actually relieved. Nothing ever came up about how I paid for it. In fact, no one even asked me where I had the surgery done.

 

As far as medical reasons for denial, they are really only concerned with conditions that may pose a threat to the public (contagious illnesses, etc.). Your condition should not be a reason for denial. Furthermore, you are within your rights to receive funding from charities who serve that purpose. There is nothing to say that, had you not received such funding, you wouldn't have worked out a payment plan with the hospital or a third party creditor. Hospitals in the U.S. are private corporations, so I can't see financial transactions between you and them being a big concern to the government.

Thank you, hearing the experience of someone who has gone through something similar helps.
I was worried that if it had to come up during the interview (would explain some things that happened this year), that I could possibly get in trouble some way.

Will bring some of the documentation for it just in case, but unless it's neccesary I probably won't bring it up then.

Also, I hear you on the surgery. It took literally 2 weeks from my diagnosis to getting the surgery.
Where I am from it would have taken many months...

[TNJ17 1,329]

1 hour ago, Selenicereus56 said:

I was worried I might have trouble in regards to them seeing me as a liability because of medical expenses I am going to be having in the future. Like followup MRI and such.
Also if I should just say it openly, or if I should keep it to myself unless they ask..?

How is that an issue for the government? All of your expenses, yes ALL, including medical, are the responsibility of your sponsor whoever that might be. When you applied for this type of visa, your sponsor vouched to cover you financially for life. The government doesn’t care. You’re not their responsibility. 

[Selenicereus56 1]

1 minute ago, TNJ17 said:

How is that an issue for the government? All of your expenses, yes ALL, including medical, are the responsibility of your sponsor whoever that might be. When you applied for this type of visa, your sponsor vouched to cover you financially for life. The government doesn’t care. You’re not their responsibility. 

Yes, but MRI's are 4000 dollars at a go. It would be their problem if we went broke from this.
If they think we're at a fair chance of becoming broke and relying on food stamps that is their problem.
I know they're not gonna pay for my medical stuff no matter what, obviously.

I've already come across some really mean people in USA, working with immigration related things.
I would preferably not want to be stung again.

Maybe they don't see it that way, maybe they do.
I was hoping someone who had to go through something similar could answer how they dealt with this (and someone did) and what I could expect if it did come up.

[Lemonslice 4,961]

When are you planning to get insurance? Insurance should cover your treatments.

Just now, Selenicereus56 said:

Yes, but MRI's are 4000 dollars at a go. It would be their problem if we went broke from this.
If they think we're at a fair chance of becoming broke and relying on food stamps that is their problem.
I know they're not gonna pay for my medical stuff no matter what, obviously.

I've already come across some really mean people in USA, working with immigration related things.
I would preferably not want to be stung again.

Maybe they don't see it that way, maybe they do.
I was hoping someone who had to go through something similar could answer how they dealt with this (and someone did) and what I could expect if it did come up.

 

[TNJ17 1,329]

Dude I’m sorry you’re sick, but really that’s not an issue where immigration is concerned. Not that part of immigration anyways. There is a lot to be done in healthcare in this country there’s no question about it, but USCIS holds no responsibility in your health. You need to get health insurance. That’s gonna cost way less than your medical bills. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

You are required BY LAW to have medical insurance.  Under the circumstances I would sign up immediately.

[Ontarkie 14,420]

~~Folks stick to answering the OP's questions. She did not come here to be lectured. She has also ran out of posts for today and will not able to reply until tomorrow.~~ 

[yuna628 9,700]

3 hours ago, Selenicereus56 said:

Yes, but most insurances will not cover medical expenses caused by pre-existing conditions.
The fact that we got everything covered by charity might also be a reason for concern.

My main point is still if I should shut up about it or not.

OP: Sorry to hear what happened to you.

 

I'd like to put your mind at ease - all insurers are required by federal law to cover pre-existing conditions. You were eligible to obtain health insurance as soon as you married. Because you did not seem to know this, it became to the point you thankfully managed to receive proper treatment and I'm glad those charities helped you. However you need to look to your future - you still remain eligible for health insurance right now. If your spouse is covered by someone else's insurance, I would suggest that they do everything within their power to obtain their own insurance and add you as a spouse. They could also purchase a plan for you privately via any insurer in your state. It is unfortunate that so many do come here and don't seem to know that they have real options for insurance, even if it does cost money... and their spouses do not seem to know either. USC spouses have a responsibility to inform and protect their new foreign spouse.

 

[yuna628 9,700]

33 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

You are required BY LAW to have medical insurance.  Under the circumstances I would sign up immediately.

There is no requirement by law to have medical insurance. A person does not have to have insurance if they do not want it, and certainly if they cannot afford it many millions of persons do choose to go without. If you do not have insurance then, by law, you must pay a penalty in taxes. This penalty is much cheaper than a few months worth of premiums, making it a reluctant option for many persons. Even this aspect will soon be changing under the administration.

 

The question for the OP is merely that they had no awareness they were eligible for insurance and wasted a significant important period of time when they could have obtained it. The real problem is, can they sign up? Well the open enrollment window has passed under O'care. If they can apply under special enrollment would be determined under their specific circumstances. They could obtain it privately... but they/the spouse would need to be willing to afford it. In either case it will cost them. It certainly would make sense for them to explore their options immediately.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

1 minute ago, yuna628 said:

There is no requirement by law to have medical insurance. A person does not have to have insurance if they do not want it, and certainly if they cannot afford it many millions of persons do choose to go without. 1.) If you do not have insurance then, by law, you must pay a penalty in taxes. This penalty is much cheaper than a few months worth of premiums, making it a reluctant option for many persons. Even this aspect will soon be changing under the administration.

 

The question for the OP is merely that they had no awareness they were eligible for insurance and wasted a significant important period of time when they could have obtained it. The real problem is, can they sign up? Well the open enrollment window has passed under O'care. If they can apply under special enrollment would be determined under their specific circumstances. They could obtain it privately... but they/the spouse would need to be willing to afford it. In either case it will cost them. It certainly would make sense for them to explore their options immediately.

1.)  You mean a fine?  

2.)  She mentions she needs follow-up MRI's at 4,000 dollars each.  That's a lot more than the fine.

 

Don't get me wrong.  I hope she recovers and never has another issue.  Praying for her healing now.  David

[yuna628 9,700]

12 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

1.)  You mean a fine?  

2.)  She mentions she needs follow-up MRI's at 4,000 dollars each.  That's a lot more than the fine.

 

Don't get me wrong.  I hope she recovers and never has another issue.  Praying for her healing now.  David

It's a penalty, not a fine. The Supreme Court went over that. It's all the same difference to me. They ultimately ruled it is not against the law to not buy insurance so long as the 'individual responsibility payment/penalty' is made... and a long argument was made as to why they do not call it a fine.

 

We both agree the OP needs insurance... she needed it long ago sadly. I hope a solution is found.

[Cathi 5,783]

7 hours ago, Selenicereus56 said:

Yes, but most insurances will not cover medical expenses caused by pre-existing conditions.
The fact that we got everything covered by charity might also be a reason for concern.

My main point is still if I should shut up about it or not.

Not true. I have several autoimmune diseases, one of them being Multiple Sclerosis and I have had many insurance companies in my 52 years. Never have any of my medical expenses been denied. 

[Boiler 45,972]

Seems OP needs guidance on Emergency Medicaid and O Care, not Immigration.

 

I thought the tax penalties were done away with.

[geowrian 22,338]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I thought the tax penalties were done away with

2018 taxes

Edited January 4, 2018 by geowrian

[Boiler 45,972]

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

2018 taxes, not 2017.

That does make sense, shame though.