Health insurance options after entering the US on a K1 Visa

[cherrypeanut 8]

I am heading to the US on a K1 visa at the end of April and in light of recent events surrounding COVID-19, I want to make sure that I have insurance to cover me in case I get sick. What options are available for me? Would I be able to purchase travel insurance from Canada?

 

Thanks!

[Lil bear 4,205]

2 minutes ago, cherrypeanut said:

I am heading to the US on a K1 visa at the end of April and in light of recent events surrounding COVID-19, I want to make sure that I have insurance to cover me in case I get sick. What options are available for me? Would I be able to purchase travel insurance from Canada?

 

Thanks!

You won’t get travel insurance but you can get short term insurance once here. It is limited in its coverage ... no preexisting conditions etc.. but covers major catastrophic events. Best solution until you are married and added to your spouses employer plan 

[Boiler 45,510]

Yep marry asap and get added to your Spouses cover.  Las Vegas?

[cherrypeanut 8]

I should mention that my spouse fiance is currently a student so no employer plan unfortunately!

Edited March 14, 2020 by cherrypeanut

[Boiler 45,510]

1 minute ago, cherrypeanut said:

I should mention that my spouse is currently a student so no employer plan unfortunately!

OK , add to whatever Insurance she currently has. The Corona thingy does not really change the need, what is your plan?

[Mike E 11,739]

Travel insurance won’t cover Corona.  
 

If your future spouse doesn’t have employer provided health insurance then you will have to purchase private insurance. Private insurance is available and is very expensive: about $1000 a month and about a $12,000 annual deductible.  
 

There is also the issue that while legally you are not required to have a social security number to get health insurance, practically, since these plans are sold online and the software on the websites is out of compliance with the law, getting insurance will be hard without an SSN.  
 

The good news is that it is possible to get an SSN within 3 weeks of entering the USA. The bad news is that many K-1 visa holders mess up the steps and their window to get an SSN is lost until they get an EAD card.  
 

If you are interested in getting an SSN and willing to follow instructions I can tell you. Let me know. 
 

With all these considerations you might want to reconsider moving to the USA at this time.  

[Boiler 45,510]

I just went and applied for a SSN, not complicated, they told me the number, card arrived a few weeks later. YMMV

 

The K1 SSN issues arise where people do not apply.

 

Buying through the Exchange, the normal option here requires a NOA 1, basically to show you are qualified to do so..