Company health insurance

[Mr&Mrs Marshie 6]

Hi everyone,

 

I am just wondering if you can share some information regarding private insurance in the US. 

 

I am from the UK and I’ve never had private insurance here, well except for £11/month that I pay extra for dental insurance as I always need a lot of work done(sweet tooth!)

 

My spouse works at a bank and apparently has really good insurance plan but he is so clueless and it takes him ages to find out when I can be added to the plan! So I thought I’d ask for some guidance here. 

 

What does company private insurance cover? Would dental work like white fillings and crowns be included? 

 

I am still at NVC stage. When can I be added to his insurance plan? What documents do you need to be added etc? 

I hope I will be able to find work within 2 months of arriving but in case something happens. I do not want to have to fly back to London for the doctors! 

 

If you have a theead thread that you are following, please share!

 

Thanks so much 

 

 

 

[Dashinka 24,517]

Company provided insurance plans are variable, so it is hard to say what they cover.  As far as adding you to the policy, that should be fairly easy, have him contact his HR Rep if he cannot figure it out.

 

Good Luck!

[erzengel 37]

We're not even at the NVC stage yet (still waiting on NOA2), but I added my husband to my employer-provider health plans (medical, dental, and vision).  It's Open Enrollment time now, which means the period when I can make changes to the health plans. The changes become effective on January 1, 2020.  We hope to complete the entire CR-1 process by Spring of 2020 (fingers crossed!).  I had to add my husband now, so that he'll have coverage when he immigrates to the US.  He has no SSN of course or ITIN, but I was still able to add him by submitting a statement explaining why he can't get a SSN at the moment, our marriage certificate, and a joint bank statement.

 

Health plans vary, so you have to review the plans and included benefits.

[geowrian 22,337]

57 minutes ago, Mr&Mrs Marshie said:

I am from the UK and I’ve never had private insurance here, well except for £11/month that I pay extra for dental insurance as I always need a lot of work done(sweet tooth!)

Get ready for US healthcare prices...

 

57 minutes ago, Mr&Mrs Marshie said:

My spouse works at a bank and apparently has really good insurance plan but he is so clueless and it takes him ages to find out when I can be added to the plan! So I thought I’d ask for some guidance here. 

 

What does company private insurance cover? Would dental work like white fillings and crowns be included? 

It should be an ACA plan, so there are certain guarantees of coverage, maximums, etc. That said, a company could offer a "bare essentials" plan that covers not too much, and even what it covers might have a large copay, co-insurance, or just a high deductible.

They also could have a great plan that covers most medical events with low copays, no deductible, a low annual maximum, etc.

It really does vary from company to company in terms of what they choose to offer their employees. One person could have a heart attack and pay almost nothing, and another could break their leg and pay several thousands or more out of pocket.

 

57 minutes ago, Mr&Mrs Marshie said:

I am still at NVC stage. When can I be added to his insurance plan? What documents do you need to be added etc? 

Whenever they permit it. haha

There is open enrollment coming up, but entry on your immigrant visa is a qualifying event to be added as well.

 

tldr: Speak with HR then do the research. Good luck!

[jimfleurieee 22]

On 9/25/2019 at 4:27 PM, erzengel said:

We're not even at the NVC stage yet (still waiting on NOA2), but I added my husband to my employer-provider health plans (medical, dental, and vision).  It's Open Enrollment time now, which means the period when I can make changes to the health plans. The changes become effective on January 1, 2020.  We hope to complete the entire CR-1 process by Spring of 2020 (fingers crossed!).  I had to add my husband now, so that he'll have coverage when he immigrates to the US.  He has no SSN of course or ITIN, but I was still able to add him by submitting a statement explaining why he can't get a SSN at the moment, our marriage certificate, and a joint bank statement.

 

Health plans vary, so you have to review the plans and included benefits.

You should of waited until your husband is actually with you. Open enrollment isn’t the only time you can add him. You can add him when he’s physical here which is called a life event change. That’s what im doing for my wife since i dont want to pay insurance she’s actually not going to use until she’s here.

[erzengel 37]

2 minutes ago, jimfleurieee said:

You should of waited until your husband is actually with you. Open enrollment isn’t the only time you can add him. You can add him when he’s physical here which is called a life event change. That’s what im doing for my wife since i dont want to pay insurance she’s actually not going to use until she’s here.

 

I considered waiting as well.  I reached out to the HR Benefits admins and explained the situation.  They didn't say that immigration is a permitting event or advise to wait.  In any case, the net change in my contributions was low enough that I am alright with paying the few months before he actually gets here.

[jimfleurieee 22]

7 minutes ago, erzengel said:

 

I considered waiting as well.  I reached out to the HR Benefits admins and explained the situation.  They didn't say that immigration is a permitting event or advise to wait.  In any case, the net change in my contributions was low enough that I am alright with paying the few months before he actually gets here.

Thats odd, it would be considered a change in residence and a change of household as your husband isn’t physically living with you. I spoke to a couple of my coworkers that went thru the same process with there spouse and they added their insurance when their spouse arrived via life of event change. Thats good to hear as mine is a drastic change 😕 which more than double my premiums.

Edited September 30, 2019 by jimfleurieee

[erzengel 37]

3 minutes ago, jimfleurieee said:

Thats odd, it would be considered a change in residence and a change of household as your husband isn’t physically living with you. I spoke to a couple of my coworkers that went thru the same process with there spouse and they added their insurance when their spouse arrived via life of event change. Thats good to hear as mine is a drastic change 😕 which more than double my premiums.

 

Yeah, I got lucky in that regard. 😊  I think I could have pressed to add him once he enters as a LPR, but I'm really hoping to get him to the states by March.  We shall see...

[jimfleurieee 22]

16 minutes ago, erzengel said:

 

Yeah, I got lucky in that regard. 😊  I think I could have pressed to add him once he enters as a LPR, but I'm really hoping to get him to the states by March.  We shall see...

Your name and picture looked so familiar... I remembered now we spoke before when mine was approved. Hopefully that March timeframe will be enough time for your husband 😂😂😂😂.

[erzengel 37]

18 minutes ago, jimfleurieee said:

Your name and picture looked so familiar... I remembered now we spoke before when mine was approved. Hopefully that March timeframe will be enough time for your husband 😂😂😂😂.

Yes!  That was me.  LOLOLOL  He's currently visiting, so he's realizing life is way more fun here in NorCal with me.  😉😄

[jimfleurieee 22]

20 minutes ago, erzengel said:

Yes!  That was me.  LOLOLOL  He's currently visiting, so he's realizing life is way more fun here in NorCal with me.  😉😄

Hahaha!!! Oh cool, have fun and enjoy your time together!