How to get health insurance for non-US spouse while abroad (Public Charge)

[MexicoExpat 18]

Hi,

 

As I'm sure many of you know, the public charge rule is now in effect for all, including applicants outside the US as well, as DOS has aligned themselves with the DHS ruling. 

 

This is really unfortunate timing for my wife and I, as it's coming into sudden effect just 5 weeks before her visa interview. 

 

What we are confused about, is how to actually get health insurance for her. 

 

I am a US citizen, but have been living abroad for 12 years now, and have not had US health insurance during this time. I am pretty unfamiliar with the US system as a whole, only ever had insurance of my own through an employer for a brief period of time before moving abroad. 

 

Are there any guidelines for doing this? 

 

My wife doesn't have a social security number and I don't have a plan to add her to. 

 

We also want to b sure we don't' add her to a plan that's subsidized and would make her a public charge. 

 

It's been very frustrating seeing the rules change so fast, right before our interview and need to ensure we have everything squared away in time. 

[Boiler 45,467]

How do you intend to cover yourself? Could you not add her to whatever that is?

 

Sounds like you may have domicile issues.

[Mike E 11,739]

She doesn’t need a SSN to get health care but certainly the lack of an SSN makes it much more difficult due to online systems not working well.  
 

Do you have a job In the USA lined up?

 

If not, are your assets sufficient for you to to live on?

 

If you do have a job, does the job have employer provided health insurance for employee and their spouses? What does it cost? Will your employer generate a letter stating that it honors federal law and considers an spouse of an employer moving to the USA to be a qualifying  event that makes her eligible to enroll in The company health care plan outside of open enrollment?

 

If not, can you afford $24,000 a year for each of you for private health care (which it want it costs due to the Affordable Health Care Act eliminating low cost plans)?

Edited February 24, 2020 by Mike E

[MexicoExpat 18]

I will need to insure myself too, however with the recent public charge laws, my wife's coverage is the immediate concern. 

 

I own a business which I have been operating from abroad and the income from which will continue once we arrive in the US, so should not have domicile issues. We are using a joint sponsor though just in case they don't accept my foreign earned income (which become US income once moving to the US), which I've heard is hit or miss. 

 

We are just at a loss for where to start for getting her covered in the next 5 weeks. 

[Boiler 45,467]

Must admit I thought Mexico had an Employer funded system as well, presumably the Business will be providing cover for you and your spouse after you relocation?

 

Your income will show on your US returns so should be acceptable and you are keeping that employment.

[MexicoExpat 18]

Neither of us are Mexican and my company is not Mexican either. 

 

My business does not provide insurance to me - I have been living abroad for 12 years now and have not had coverage in the US. 

 

We are still at a complete loss though for where to start with getting her insured before we arrive in the US and would appreciate any tips. 

[SalishSea 17,818]

4 minutes ago, MexicoExpat said:

Neither of us are Mexican and my company is not Mexican either. 

 

My business does not provide insurance to me - I have been living abroad for 12 years now and have not had coverage in the US. 

 

We are still at a complete loss though for where to start with getting her insured before we arrive in the US and would appreciate any tips. 

Have you looked into purchasing private insurance coverage for her?  Looked at the exchange?

[MexicoExpat 18]

Just now, Jorgedig said:

Have you looked into purchasing private insurance coverage for her?  Looked at the exchange?

Slightly, but this is exactly what I'm asking. What is the exchange? Where is the right place to start?

 

I've been contacting some brokers, but I also want to be 100% sure we don't end up with some subsidized plan, that will work against us for the public charge ruling once we reach the interview next month. 

 

 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Each state has their own exchange- what state will you be residing?

[SalishSea 17,818]

8 minutes ago, MexicoExpat said:

Slightly, but this is exactly what I'm asking. What is the exchange? Where is the right place to start?

 

I've been contacting some brokers, but I also want to be 100% sure we don't end up with some subsidized plan, that will work against us for the public charge ruling once we reach the interview next month. 

 

 

healthcare.gov would be a place to start.....

[Boiler 45,467]

I did not think Employer provided cover could obtain subsidies However just make sure the Brokers know your situation and requirements..

[Ontarkie 14,218]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from DCF - the OP is asking about obtaining health insurance.~~

[geowrian 22,337]

Agreed. Check healthcare.gov. Find a suitable plan for her and have the details printed for the interview (the main ones being the deductible + premium). She will qualify for those plans as a new immigrant once she comes to the US.

There is no requirement to have insurance to get the visa. One can show ability to obtain it within 30 days from entry + the ability to afford it.

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

54 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Agreed. Check healthcare.gov. Find a suitable plan for her and have the details printed for the interview (the main ones being the deductible + premium). She will qualify for those plans as a new immigrant once she comes to the US.

There is no requirement to have insurance to get the visa. One can show ability to obtain it within 30 days from entry + the ability to afford it.

This bolded part is very important. They are not expecting every person with an interview to already have insurance. But you need to show the IO that either a) you plan to purchase insurance for her as soon as she qualifies (+ show that you have the financial means to pay for said plan) or b) that you have high enough income/assets that you'd be able to pay for her medical needs even without insurance. 

 

Basically, not having insurance for her (or a concrete plan to obtain it quickly after she arrives) is not grounds for a denial on its own, but it is a "negative factor" relative to the public charge concern. If there are literally no other public charge "red flags" and your income is high enough, I doubt they'd deny you based on health insurance alone. 

 

@geowrian 's advice is spot on, imo.

Edited February 24, 2020 by beloved_dingo

[stech786 236]

5 hours ago, beloved_dingo said:

This bolded part is very important. They are not expecting every person with an interview to already have insurance. But you need to show the IO that either a) you plan to purchase insurance for her as soon as she qualifies (+ show that you have the financial means to pay for said plan) or b) that you have high enough income/assets that you'd be able to pay for her medical needs even without insurance. 

 

Basically, not having insurance for her (or a concrete plan to obtain it quickly after she arrives) is not grounds for a denial on its own, but it is a "negative factor" relative to the public charge concern. If there are literally no other public charge "red flags" and your income is high enough, I doubt they'd deny you based on health insurance alone. 

 

@geowrian 's advice is spot on, imo.

How does one show ability to have insurance after 30 days. My income is high enough and my insurance is from my job, 100% sure I can add anyone.

 

Do I need letter from insurance saying I have an ability to add anyone.

 

@geowrian

Edited February 25, 2020 by stech786