Health Insurance Options - Alternatives that wont be marked as "Public Charge"

[Wfeliciano12 0]

Greetings Everyone,

 

We are currently doing the AOS process and like everyone else, have been listening to the changes being implemented by the current administration, specifically the "public charge/health insurance" news.

 

My now wife was visiting me here in the states with a Tourist Visa and I decided when she was here that I did not want to be apart from her any longer. Long story short, I proposed, she said yes, we got married after a couple of months (she overstayed her visa), and then we proceeded to submit the AOS paperwork. I know if it the documents filing came prior to October 15th, technically we will not have to provide proof of health insurance, yet we would like to be covered in case "something happens".

 

Now to the specifics, when we got married I thought I would be able to add her to my health insurance. Unfortunately, that proved to be a dead-end. We would need to take $700 from my paycheck (only income) every month to get healthcare through my healthcare plan. She is in good condition, no preexisting diseases, did her medical and everything was fine; basically we are looking insurance to cover a "big event" such as appendix operation, cancer, etc.

 

What options for getting her healthcare would you recommend? I have heard about short term health insurance, however, I do not know if it is even a real option. 

 

Thank you guys for your time. Best of wishes and hang in there.

 

Edited October 11, 2019 by Wfeliciano12

[payxibka 10,045]

10 minutes ago, Wfeliciano12 said:

Greetings Everyone,

 

We are currently doing the AOS process and like everyone else, have been listening to the changes being implemented by the current administration, specifically the "public charge/health insurance" news.

 

My now wife was visiting me here in the states with a Tourist Visa and I decided when she was here that I did not want to be apart from her any longer. Long story short, I proposed, she said yes, we got married after a couple of months (she overstayed her visa), and then we proceeded to submit the AOS paperwork. I know if it the documents filing came prior to October 15th, technically we will not have to provide proof of health insurance, yet we would like to be covered in case "something happens".

 

Now to the specifics, when we got married I thought I would be able to add her to my health insurance. Unfortunately, that proved to be a dead-end. We would need to take $700 from my paycheck (only income) every month to get healthcare through my healthcare plan. She is in good condition, no preexisting diseases, did her medical and everything was fine; basically we are looking insurance to cover a "big event" such as appendix operation, cancer, etc.

 

What options for getting her healthcare would you recommend? I have heard about short term health insurance, however, I do not know if it is even a real option. 

 

Thank you guys for your time. Best of wishes and hang in there.

 

We are rolling into open enrollment for purchasing market place coverage.   Sign up for a minimum essential coverage plan.   

[Wfeliciano12 0]

Isn't the market place healthcare plans considered as using government subsidies?

[payxibka 10,045]

13 minutes ago, Wfeliciano12 said:

Isn't the market place healthcare plans considered as using government subsidies?

You are not required to take advantage of any premium tax credit 

[yuna628 9,677]

1 hour ago, Wfeliciano12 said:

Greetings Everyone,

 

We are currently doing the AOS process and like everyone else, have been listening to the changes being implemented by the current administration, specifically the "public charge/health insurance" news.

 

My now wife was visiting me here in the states with a Tourist Visa and I decided when she was here that I did not want to be apart from her any longer. Long story short, I proposed, she said yes, we got married after a couple of months (she overstayed her visa), and then we proceeded to submit the AOS paperwork. I know if it the documents filing came prior to October 15th, technically we will not have to provide proof of health insurance, yet we would like to be covered in case "something happens".

 

Now to the specifics, when we got married I thought I would be able to add her to my health insurance. Unfortunately, that proved to be a dead-end. We would need to take $700 from my paycheck (only income) every month to get healthcare through my healthcare plan. She is in good condition, no preexisting diseases, did her medical and everything was fine; basically we are looking insurance to cover a "big event" such as appendix operation, cancer, etc.

 

What options for getting her healthcare would you recommend? I have heard about short term health insurance, however, I do not know if it is even a real option. 

 

Thank you guys for your time. Best of wishes and hang in there.

 

 

1 hour ago, Wfeliciano12 said:

Isn't the market place healthcare plans considered as using government subsidies?

 

To answer all of your questions: There isn't an easy answer. $700 is a lot, but you may not find many other alternatives that aren't just as expensive. The most common way to cover a spouse is via your own workplace plan.

 

Your other alternatives can be: private plan purchased via any insurer that offers in the state.

Or you can use the marketplace (state if you have one, or federal). These are not means tested benefits and immigrants are eligible to use it, many of the plans are virtually the same as you can buy privately.  The new rules coming into place demand the immigrant not utilize the ACA's premium tax credit or subsidy, however there has been no actual changes to the ACA's law to this effect. You must however follow the guidance of the new policy however, though lawsuits will begin. You however have a unique obstacle since you have AOSed from the VWP or tourist visa. I will assume that you have an NOA1 for your AOS, and that is good, however you will likely lack many of the eligibility requirements and further documents a government program, like the marketplace would require from a regular immigrant. I would assume your spouse also hasn't got an SSN, and while that isn't a problem normally (an SSN isn't required to obtain health insurance - they will want it from you eventually) or have applied for or received an EAD? Your last obstacle is the fact the ACA is not currently in open enrollment (next month). Now this typically isn't a problem for other immigrants, because of their status, if they haven't waited too long, grants them the ability to enter the marketplace under special enrollment. You may have missed that window. No harm in trying. Keep in mind you may need to speak to someone on the phone.

 

Other potential options: short term insurance or those marketed to 'new immigrants'. These are short term plans that aren't ACA compliant, dubious coverage at best, and will not cover pre-existing conditions. I understand why people tend to use them, but I often wonder if the money couldn't be better spent putting it into real plan with proper coverage.

[databit 328]

Suggest you get a second job until she can work. Read this: 

https://cache.hacontent.com/ybr/R516/06607_ybr_ybrfndt/downloads/MG.pdf

[Ontarkie 14,233]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from AOS Family K1/K3 - As the OP's question is about health Insurance.~~

[ultrasoul 51]

13 hours ago, Wfeliciano12 said:

Greetings Everyone,

 

We are currently doing the AOS process and like everyone else, have been listening to the changes being implemented by the current administration, specifically the "public charge/health insurance" news.

 

My now wife was visiting me here in the states with a Tourist Visa and I decided when she was here that I did not want to be apart from her any longer. Long story short, I proposed, she said yes, we got married after a couple of months (she overstayed her visa), and then we proceeded to submit the AOS paperwork. I know if it the documents filing came prior to October 15th, technically we will not have to provide proof of health insurance, yet we would like to be covered in case "something happens".

 

Now to the specifics, when we got married I thought I would be able to add her to my health insurance. Unfortunately, that proved to be a dead-end. We would need to take $700 from my paycheck (only income) every month to get healthcare through my healthcare plan. She is in good condition, no preexisting diseases, did her medical and everything was fine; basically we are looking insurance to cover a "big event" such as appendix operation, cancer, etc.

 

What options for getting her healthcare would you recommend? I have heard about short term health insurance, however, I do not know if it is even a real option. 

 

Thank you guys for your time. Best of wishes and hang in there.

 

Before the 2 USCIS public charge implementation injunction were given by 2 federal courts, the USCIS has already clearly stated that if you had filed for AOS prior to October 15, you don’t need to worry about the public charge rule.

 

Now that the 2 national wide injunctions were put in place by the federal courts, the USCIS cannot implement the public charge rule. At least for now.

 

To be honest, your fiancé can be enrolled in any ACA healthcare plan if it is cheaper than the $700 cost you have to pay to be on your private company sponsored insurance.