Health insurance for husband when unemployed.

[foofooabla 43]

Hi, maybe you guys can point me in the right direction if this has already been asked.

 

I'm the petitioner and I've never been employed because I started University immediately after high school. Therefore, I don't have the option to add my spouse to any plan. What insurance plan would be acceptable to the interviewing officer? I read that travel insurance is not okay since he is immigrating (IR-1). But I'm not sure how factual is that. Is it okay to use travel insurance? If not, please point me somewhere, cause I'm literally lost as to how he will have insurance if he can't get it through me or even use travel insurance. Thank you all. 

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 hour ago, wifidolly said:

Hi, maybe you guys can point me in the right direction if this has already been asked.

 

I'm the petitioner and I've never been employed because I started University immediately after high school. Therefore, I don't have the option to add my spouse to any plan. What insurance plan would be acceptable to the interviewing officer? I read that travel insurance is not okay since he is immigrating (IR-1). But I'm not sure how factual is that. Is it okay to use travel insurance? If not, please point me somewhere, cause I'm literally lost as to how he will have insurance if he can't get it through me or even use travel insurance. Thank you all. 

What health insurance do you yourself have?

[foofooabla 43]

Just now, Jorgedig said:

What health insurance do you yourself have?

Medicaid, which doesn't help. 

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 minute ago, wifidolly said:

Medicaid, which doesn't help. 

Best option is probably to explore the marketplace and see what you can afford.

[foofooabla 43]

1 minute ago, Jorgedig said:

Best option is probably to explore the marketplace and see what you can afford.

Could you link me somewhere? Money is not the problem. Just seems like there's no plans for people without a SSN or soon-to-be immigrants.

[SalishSea 17,829]

Just now, wifidolly said:

Could you link me somewhere? Money is not the problem. Just seems like there's no plans for people without a SSN or soon-to-be immigrants.

Start by looking at healthcare.gov.

[yuna628 9,676]

Just now, wifidolly said:

Could you link me somewhere? Money is not the problem. Just seems like there's no plans for people without a SSN or soon-to-be immigrants.

Keep the following in mind: An SSN is not required to obtain health insurance. It's helpful but it is not a barrier by law. Fiances of USC can easily obtain an SSN when they arrive to the US and so can spouses of USCs.

 

Obviously medicaid will not be an option for your husband so here are the options:

 

1) sign them up via the exchange. they will need some documentation to prove their status because you are going through a government agency. immigrants are certainly allowed either on the state (if you have one) or federal exchanges. Don't wait too long or they won't qualify under special enrollment and will have to wait until open enrollment.

 

2) sign them up with a private insurer under special enrollment much in the same way. you aren't dealing with a government agency either, so there is little to prove. again don't wait too long.

 

3)sign them up via a private insurer that offers short term, catastrophic coverage, or insurance marketed towards new immigrants. These are not ideal. They are not federally compliant under the ACA, no pre-existing, and coverage may be minimal at best.

 

4) If the spouse has a potential employer on the horizon they can certainly obtain coverage through that.

 

5) drop medicaid, purchase your own coverage through any of these options and add the spouse.

 

You have stated that money is not a problem. None of these options will be cheap but it is typical for every American and foreign spouse.

 

 

[foofooabla 43]

5 hours ago, yuna628 said:

Keep the following in mind: An SSN is not required to obtain health insurance. It's helpful but it is not a barrier by law. Fiances of USC can easily obtain an SSN when they arrive to the US and so can spouses of USCs.

 

Obviously medicaid will not be an option for your husband so here are the options:

 

1) sign them up via the exchange. they will need some documentation to prove their status because you are going through a government agency. immigrants are certainly allowed either on the state (if you have one) or federal exchanges. Don't wait too long or they won't qualify under special enrollment and will have to wait until open enrollment.

 

2) sign them up with a private insurer under special enrollment much in the same way. you aren't dealing with a government agency either, so there is little to prove. again don't wait too long.

 

3)sign them up via a private insurer that offers short term, catastrophic coverage, or insurance marketed towards new immigrants. These are not ideal. They are not federally compliant under the ACA, no pre-existing, and coverage may be minimal at best.

 

4) If the spouse has a potential employer on the horizon they can certainly obtain coverage through that.

 

5) drop medicaid, purchase your own coverage through any of these options and add the spouse.

 

You have stated that money is not a problem. None of these options will be cheap but it is typical for every American and foreign spouse.

 

 

Thanks for this! Much appreciated!

[Ryan H 3,812]

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