Question about purchasing Healthcare for a spouse oversea

[Starkness 0]

Hello,

 

I just received back from NVC my files and fees have been accepted and now they forwarded to the ambassader in Vietnam for an Interview Date.

 

My question is, I file my Green card and submitted all documents to NVC on Feb 20, 2020 before Feb 24, 2020 that the Public Charge Rules take in effect.  Do I still need to fill out the DS:5540?  

 

Also, there is a question on the DS:5540 that ask

4A. Will you be covered by health insurance in the United States within 30 days of your entry into the United States?

 

Yes No If you answered "yes" to Item A, identify the specific health insurance plan and date coverage will begin.

 

 

How do I go and purchased Healthcare for Spouse to have Proof that I will buy Healthcare for her because I have no ways to know when she will enter the USA yet.

[Boiler 45,733]

Assuming she will be added to your plan submit details of that.

[Starkness 0]

The Healthcare I have right now is @ Healthcarefinder.gov.

 

I think it does not let me add on another member without US Citizen or Permanent Resident Status.

[geowrian 22,337]

4 minutes ago, Starkness said:

The Healthcare I have right now is @ Healthcarefinder.gov.

 

I think it does not let me add on another member without US Citizen or Permanent Resident Status.

I think you mean healthcare.gov. Healthcarefinder.gov goes nowhere.

 

Right. Nobody says you need to add them before they are an LPR. You should show evidence of planning and being able to add them, and the cost for doing so.

[Boiler 45,733]

So you buy through the Exchange?

[Starkness 0]

Yeah Healthcarefinder.gov, I'm currently with Molina Healthcare Bronze.

 

Can I buy her Travel Health Insurance?  Will that work?

[Starkness 0]

Also, beside the Healthcare Coverage.  Is there any other Evident she need to bring to support the DS-5540 forms?  Like Tax Return and Bank Statement?

[Boiler 45,733]

3 minutes ago, Starkness said:

Yeah Healthcarefinder.gov, I'm currently with Molina Healthcare Bronze.

 

Can I buy her Travel Health Insurance?  Will that work?

That does not exist.

 

Presumably she is immigrating not travelling?

[Starkness 0]

Does anyone know if I submit my applications and documents before Public Charge take effect on Feb 24, 2020 then this won't apply to me?  All my documents ds 260 and everything was submitted on Feb 22, 2020.

Edited May 3, 2020 by Starkness

[Just Paul 4,595]

7 hours ago, Starkness said:

Does anyone know if I submit my applications and documents before Public Charge take effect on Feb 24, 2020 then this won't apply to me?  All my documents ds 260 and everything was submitted on Feb 22, 2020.

If you had a timeline you could get an answer that applies in you case.  

 

If you weren't past the NVC on Feb 24th, you can expect the NVC or the Consulate to ask for a DS-5540.  An actual insurance policy isn't need until arrival in the US.  If you are worried about public charge you can buy a policy prior to the interview.

[HalfWayMark 8]

13 hours ago, Starkness said:

 

How do I go and purchased Healthcare for Spouse to have Proof that I will buy Healthcare for her because I have no ways to know when she will enter the USA yet.

It appears you plan to buy "private insurance" (that is, not through an employer). I do know from personal experience with ACA plans that it's tough to get coverage activated within 30 days of immigrating.

 

The Catch-22: under the ACA, an immigrant has a "qualifying event" upon entering the U.S.  But the ACA states that the immigrant cannot apply until the event happens (and within 60 days). If you apply before the 15th of the month, then coverage would begin the following month. If applying after the 15th, coverage is delayed until the first of the NEXT FOLLOWING month. Add to that the time it takes to register, choose a plan, submit qualifying documents (which can take weeks) -- it's very likely that you could go 45+ days until coverage begins.

 

The effect on the immigrant isn't the ACA's fault, it's the Executive Order that imposed the "30 days" rule. I suspect the.... um... office that instated it knew full well the situation.

 

Most immigrant sponsors have employer-based insurance, I suspect. But for those of us who don't, it's maddening.

I don't know specifically about the DS-5540 and its requirements, as my wife immigrated in August 2019. But I had to wrestle with this situation; it would be unconscionable to bring an immigrant to the U.S. without some kind of health insurance. Short-term health insurance does not qualify as "ACA qualifying coverage", so it's likely that wouldn't satisfy the DS-5540 requirement (just guessing). Short-term is next to worthless, but better than nothing for the period you're waiting for ACA coverage. Every U.S. state has different rules for short-term insurance, so what's available in one state might not be in another.

 

Just my guess, but I think all you can do, and what you need to do, is demonstrate your intention and ability to pay for coverage on the ACA exchange at the earliest date possible.

 

Link to my thread on my health insurance dilemma:
   www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/709433-health-insurance-for-new-arrivals-lpr-and-usc/
 

[WandY 430]

Agree with HalfWayMark. It's not an issue because nobody is going to insure someone that does not live in the U.S.. It would be pointless because she can't use it overseas and there is no guarantee of an arrival date. Your biggest concern is the interview. Trust me, I've been through the HCMC consulate. It's a high-fraud country and denials seem to be on the rise. Our friend was denied a tourist visa, despite tight ties to VN. Have you financials ready and make sure you can prove she will be provided for. With our extreme unemployment situation, I'm betting that it's going to get harder to get a visa.

[Boiler 45,733]

Well hang on a minute, I certainly know someone who in the UK used her US Health Insurance to cover Doctor Visits, as she was paying had no issue getting an appointment, so maybe, maybe not.

[April M 28]

2 hours ago, WandY said:

Agree with HalfWayMark. It's not an issue because nobody is going to insure someone that does not live in the U.S.. It would be pointless because she can't use it overseas and there is no guarantee of an arrival date. Your biggest concern is the interview. Trust me, I've been through the HCMC consulate. It's a high-fraud country and denials seem to be on the rise. Our friend was denied a tourist visa, despite tight ties to VN. Have you financials ready and make sure you can prove she will be provided for. With our extreme unemployment situation, I'm betting that it's going to get harder to get a visa.

I have insurance on my husband and he is not here yet so it is possible. 

[geowrian 22,337]

I'm sure it's possible. It's free money for them. It's just pointless...it's not needed until they are in the US.