Difficult situation - health insurance

[FluffyBalls 52]

My fiance (girlfriend at the time she entered) arrived to visit me from China mid-October on a B2 visa and we recently decided we'll marry early February 2018 and AOS. Yesterday, we found out she's pregnant. 

 

I'm obviously happy for this, but worried about medical expenses. I have a decent plan at work and always figured I could add her immediately after we marry, but I just read in several places that a spouse cannot be added w/o an SSN. If we file the AOS package in Feb 2018, she wouldn't have an SSN until June, but we'd be out of the enrollment period anyways at that point (30 days after marriage IIRC). AFAIK she doesn't qualify for Obamacare private plan on a B2 visa. 

 

I could realistically pay for the entire birth process in cash w/o too much hassle, but would prefer not to. And even though having the baby in China would be cheaper, we'd definitely prefer to avoid that route as well.

 

Has anyone gone through this process that can offer any advice? It would be much appreciated.

[payxibka 10,045]

4 minutes ago, FluffyBalls said:

My fiance (girlfriend at the time she entered) arrived to visit me from China mid-October on a B2 visa and we recently decided we'll marry early February 2018 and AOS. Yesterday, we found out she's pregnant. 

 

I'm obviously happy for this, but worried about medical expenses. I have a decent plan at work and always figured I could add her immediately after we marry, but I just read in several places that a spouse cannot be added w/o an SSN. If we file the AOS package in Feb 2018, she wouldn't have an SSN until June, but we'd be out of the enrollment period anyways at that point (30 days after marriage IIRC). AFAIK she doesn't qualify for Obamacare private plan on a B2 visa. 

 

I could realistically pay for the entire birth process in cash w/o too much hassle, but would prefer not to. And even though having the baby in China would be cheaper, we'd definitely prefer to avoid that route as well.

 

Has anyone gone through this process that can offer any advice? It would be much appreciated.

Get her an ITIN in lieu of a SSN until such time she gets it

Edited January 7, 2018 by payxibka

[Lemonslice 4,853]

Q5: If I do not have a social security number (SSN) or other tax identifying number (TIN) for myself or other covered individuals, such as my spouse or dependents, should I contact the IRS to obtain  a social security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) so that I can give it to my health coverage provider?

A5: No, it is not necessary for you to contact the IRS if you do not have an SSN or a TIN.  You should advise your coverage provider that you do not have an SSN or TIN and give them the date of birth for each covered individual.

 

https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/questions-and-answers-about-reporting-social-security-numbers-to-your-health-insurance-company

[azblk 338]

28 minutes ago, FluffyBalls said:

My fiance (girlfriend at the time she entered) arrived to visit me from China mid-October on a B2 visa and we recently decided we'll marry early February 2018 and AOS. Yesterday, we found out she's pregnant. 

 

I'm obviously happy for this, but worried about medical expenses. I have a decent plan at work and always figured I could add her immediately after we marry, but I just read in several places that a spouse cannot be added w/o an SSN. If we file the AOS package in Feb 2018, she wouldn't have an SSN until June, but we'd be out of the enrollment period anyways at that point (30 days after marriage IIRC). AFAIK she doesn't qualify for Obamacare private plan on a B2 visa. 

 

I could realistically pay for the entire birth process in cash w/o too much hassle, but would prefer not to. And even though having the baby in China would be cheaper, we'd definitely prefer to avoid that route as well.

 

Has anyone gone through this process that can offer any advice? It would be much appreciated.

you do NOT need ssn to get health coverage especially employer based coverage.

[Redheadguy03 505]

You don't need a SSN. Lots of HR departments don't know this, so if they say you do show them content posted previously. 

[Boiler 45,535]

Not needed

[payxibka 10,045]

New for 2018 is that insurers are required to report SSNs/ITINs of covered individuals.  Many have interpreted this that SSN's are now required when in fact they are not

[FluffyBalls 52]

Awesome, thanks so much everyone for the advice. I'll go in tomorrow armed with this information. 

[DavideT 10]

5 hours ago, FluffyBalls said:

My fiance (girlfriend at the time she entered) arrived to visit me from China mid-October on a B2 visa and we recently decided we'll marry early February 2018 and AOS. Yesterday, we found out she's pregnant. 

 

I'm obviously happy for this, but worried about medical expenses. I have a decent plan at work and always figured I could add her immediately after we marry, but I just read in several places that a spouse cannot be added w/o an SSN. If we file the AOS package in Feb 2018, she wouldn't have an SSN until June, but we'd be out of the enrollment period anyways at that point (30 days after marriage IIRC). AFAIK she doesn't qualify for Obamacare private plan on a B2 visa. 

 

I could realistically pay for the entire birth process in cash w/o too much hassle, but would prefer not to. And even though having the baby in China would be cheaper, we'd definitely prefer to avoid that route as well.

 

Has anyone gone through this process that can offer any advice? It would be much appreciated.

You don't need a SSN or anything specific for an Employer Health Coverage, got mine with my husband's without much hassle!

You might just need to be on the phone for a while, but that's about it really!