Health Insurance While Filing for AOS, EAD and AP

[Abbey B 79]

My husband (through K1 Visa) is applying for his green card, EAD and AP but he needs health insurance. Obviously, he cannot work and get health benefits until he gets an EAD and my insurance through work is over $800 a month to add him on. Does he qualify for medicaid? What other kinds of (affordable) health insurance can he get? Has anyone had any experience with this? 

[Boiler 46,141]

He could look at options through the Exchange or Privately, but usually an Employer plan is best.

[Abbey B 79]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

He could look at options through the Exchange or Privately, but usually an Employer plan is best.

It just seems like $800 a month is excessive for healthcare. I know it is necessary to have it but I thought maybe we could find one more affordable and wasn't sure if he would qualify for medicaid given his immigration status. 

[Boiler 46,141]

2 minutes ago, Abbey B said:

It just seems like $800 a month is excessive for healthcare. I know it is necessary to have it but I thought maybe we could find one more affordable and wasn't sure if he would qualify for medicaid given his immigration status. 

Medicaid is not available in most places until you have been a PR for 5 years, he has not even had his interview. NJ is not one of those anyway.

 

Plus of course it would be based on Family Income and of course he would have a Sponsor.

[K1visaHopeful 2,882]

6 minutes ago, Abbey B said:

It just seems like $800 a month is excessive for healthcare. I know it is necessary to have it but I thought maybe we could find one more affordable and wasn't sure if he would qualify for medicaid given his immigration status. 

How much do you pay as single through work?

[geowrian 22,338]

Most states will not permit Medicaid for the first 5 years of a new immigrant’s stay. This starts from when they get the green card. Notable exceptions are NY and CA, as well as for certain emergency conditions, or pregnancy in some states.

 

Look at the exchange or private insurance and compare. While $800 is a lot, it’s likely your best option. Healthcare is expensive.

Edited April 21, 2019 by geowrian

[Abbey B 79]

6 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

How much do you pay as single through work?

My plan is $749 but my work covers $750 of health insurance so I'm technically not paying "anything" so we would be paying $750 for his + dental and vision which comes out to $810 to add him. 

[Abbey B 79]

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Most states will not permit Medicaid for the first 5 years of a new immigrant’s stay. This starts from when they get the green card. Notable exceptions are NY and CA, as well as for certain emergency conditions, or pregnancy in some states.

 

Look at the exchange or private insurance and compare. While $800 is a lot, it’s likely your best option. Healthcare is expensive.

Okay, we are looking at exchange now and can try to compare. I feel like we can get something for half that price. 

 

What did you guys do? Did you go on your spouses employer plan? 

[geowrian 22,338]

1 minute ago, Abbey B said:

Okay, we are looking at exchange now and can try to compare. I feel like we can get something for half that price. 

 

What did you guys do? Did you go on your spouses employer plan? 

Best wishes!

 

Yes, I added my spouse to my plan after marriage. It was basically $400/month out of pocket for each of us ($800 combined).

 

It was worth every penny, though. My medical bill 3 weeks ago was $133,000 and I paid $0.

[Boiler 46,141]

You can get cheaper no doubt, need to check coverage, 

[Abbey B 79]

25 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Best wishes!

 

Yes, I added my spouse to my plan after marriage. It was basically $400/month out of pocket for each of us ($800 combined).

 

It was worth every penny, though. My medical bill 3 weeks ago was $133,000 and I paid $0.

Holy....that's INSANE. So happy for you that you had coverage. Life is worth the money and I hope you are doing better now! 

[Abbey B 79]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

You can get cheaper no doubt, need to check coverage, 

Yeah...that's what we're doing. Checking out individual plans on the market place...looks like decent coverage so far and he really just needs it for a few doctor appointments until he gets work authorization...

[K1visaHopeful 2,882]

1 hour ago, Abbey B said:

My plan is $749 but my work covers $750 of health insurance so I'm technically not paying "anything" so we would be paying $750 for his + dental and vision which comes out to $810 to add him. 

And your employer doesn't pay for anything for your spouse?

I find that strange.

[Boiler 46,141]

15 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

And your employer doesn't pay for anything for your spouse?

I find that strange.

More and more common, otherwise the OP marrying is suddenly an extra $10k cost.

[K1visaHopeful 2,882]

41 minutes ago, Boiler said:

More and more common, otherwise the OP marrying is suddenly an extra $10k cost.

That's kind of a funny topic, hey.

The "better" the employer, the more they offer in medical benefits for their employee but less likely to support that employee when experiencing a better quality of life (marriage, dependents).

The "more run of the mill" employer will still offer medical benefits for their employees and is willing to offer benefits to their employee's dependents at a good rate even though the brunt of the cost is still on the employee in terms as meeting their deductible. 

Kind of crazy.