DS-5540 Health Insurance Recommendations

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

I agree with Paul & Mary's response. This is something I've been looking into for hubby, since I can't guarantee that I will have a job before his interview (when we get to that point). You should be able to find short term policies. I'm guessing the evidence you would have to provide is possibly a quote from the carrier and what is required to activate said policy. Biggest issue I have with this new form is that some sites say you have to provide proof that the insurance will come into effect within 30 days of arriving. But you can't schedule the insurance to start until you know when you would move, which most people won't know this until they get approved. Unfortunately, with this being a new form, I'm expecting growing pains from the embassy/DOS. 

[Just Paul 4,595]

I've had a limited amount of experience since the form came out with a few Mexican beneficaries / expats and were already DQ'd by NVC.  They had no issue with just having some quotes at the consulate.  Of course your consulate could have some different questions / interpretations.  The biggest thing that came up at the interviews were a few questions about how the petitioner was re-establishing domicile.  Nothing major.  

 

Get a few quotes and navigate the exchange it needed.  Print them out.   You can also prepare a budget for the first few months to take in showing how you intend to spend money especially if you don't have employment lined up.

 

[NMHayek 56]

19 minutes ago, Robyn-n-Kris said:

I agree with Paul & Mary's response. This is something I've been looking into for hubby, since I can't guarantee that I will have a job before his interview (when we get to that point). You should be able to find short term policies. I'm guessing the evidence you would have to provide is possibly a quote from the carrier and what is required to activate said policy. Biggest issue I have with this new form is that some sites say you have to provide proof that the insurance will come into effect within 30 days of arriving. But you can't schedule the insurance to start until you know when you would move, which most people won't know this until they get approved. Unfortunately, with this being a new form, I'm expecting growing pains from the embassy/DOS. 

I saw short term policies advertising for immigrants. But they seem to be comprehensive insurance for travelers. I will bring quotes from both short term and from healthcare.org - can’t hurt I guess. 
 

ya lots of growing pains, especially since there doesn’t seem to be a instruction page to go with this 

[NMHayek 56]

5 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

I've had a limited amount of experience since the form came out with a few Mexican beneficaries / expats and were already DQ'd by NVC.  They had no issue with just having some quotes at the consulate.  Of course your consulate could have some different questions / interpretations.  The biggest thing that came up at the interviews were a few questions about how the petitioner was re-establishing domicile.  Nothing major.  

 

Get a few quotes and navigate the exchange it needed.  Print them out.   You can also prepare a budget for the first few months to take in showing how you intend to spend money especially if you don't have employment lined up.

 

Ok great will do, I wrote a letter to go with the document stating our plans on staying with my mom to save money while we both get work and how we are both experienced and professionals in our career fields etc etc. but I’ll look into including a budget too. Which would basically just be health insurance since we stay with my mom

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

10 minutes ago, NMHayek said:

I saw short term policies advertising for immigrants. But they seem to be comprehensive insurance for travelers. I will bring quotes from both short term and from healthcare.org - can’t hurt I guess. 
 

ya lots of growing pains, especially since there doesn’t seem to be a instruction page to go with this 

There really are. We also find ourselves in the uncharted territory of the I-864W no longer available, but we aren't required to fill out the I-864 since hubby (UKC) has over 40 quarter credit with social security. But, I would expect bringing in proof you've researched and gotten quotes will be good. I like the idea of a budget as well, though we also plan to show we have assets that cover up to the 300% of the poverty level as well. 

[NMHayek 56]

3 minutes ago, Robyn-n-Kris said:

There really are. We also find ourselves in the uncharted territory of the I-864W no longer available, but we aren't required to fill out the I-864 since hubby (UKC) has over 40 quarter credit with social security. But, I would expect bringing in proof you've researched and gotten quotes will be good. I like the idea of a budget as well, though we also plan to show we have assets that cover up to the 300% of the poverty level as well. 

Thank you and good luck Hopefully soon things will start to move as well.

[databit 328]

Don't even think about buying traveler's insurance.The US is the #1 country for pandemic infection now, and this article says you won't be covered for coronavirus (which hospital treatment can easily run into 5-6 figures).

 

https://khn.org/news/tourists-beware-foreign-visitors-travel-health-insurance-might-exclude-pandemics/

[Ryan H 3,830]

**Moved from DCF Discussion to IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures.  Hijack posts removed.**

[B&C2017 123]

We're pretty much in the same situation and we were recommended https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/ by the experienced VJ members.

[NMHayek 56]

2 hours ago, B&C2017 said:

We're pretty much in the same situation and we were recommended https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/ by the experienced VJ members.

Did you choose a plan by chance? If so which did you choose? This is very confusing for me, up until this year I always had health insurance from an employer, USA and abroad, so choosing our own is mind boggling!   Thank you!

[NMHayek 56]

7 hours ago, Ryan H said:

**Moved from DCF Discussion to IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures.  Hijack posts removed.**

Sorry, I would like to ask was this a good move? Because I am asking specifically about health insurance for expats. I had posted originally in the IR-1/CR-1 forum and people complained I put posted in the wrong forum and that post moved from that forum to another forum, where I dont know.  But if its a mistake where I posted this than thank you for moving.

[NMHayek 56]

13 hours ago, databit said:

Don't even think about buying traveler's insurance.The US is the #1 country for pandemic infection now, and this article says you won't be covered for coronavirus (which hospital treatment can easily run into 5-6 figures).

 

https://khn.org/news/tourists-beware-foreign-visitors-travel-health-insurance-might-exclude-pandemics/

I will keep this in mind, thank you!

[B&C2017 123]

1 hour ago, NMHayek said:

Sorry, I would like to ask was this a good move? Because I am asking specifically about health insurance for expats. I had posted originally in the IR-1/CR-1 forum and people complained I put posted in the wrong forum and that post moved from that forum to another forum, where I dont know.  But if its a mistake where I posted this than thank you for moving.

I was looking at expat insurances as well, but since the expat insurances are usually internation health insurances, you just pay an insane amount of money to be insured anywhere in the world (when you're really just looking for a US based insurance) which probably would have to comply with the ACA in order to not get fined. So for your foreign spouse, a private plan would be good. You as a US citizen might even comply with Medicaid or whatever it is called (not sure though how that works with the public charge rule or if this only applies to the immigrant).

 

[B&C2017 123]

1 hour ago, NMHayek said:

Did you choose a plan by chance? If so which did you choose? This is very confusing for me, up until this year I always had health insurance from an employer, USA and abroad, so choosing our own is mind boggling!   Thank you!

No, I didn't choose anything yet. We're still in the process. I'd probably get something with a low deductible and out-of pocket payment for me (since we might want to have another baby soon-ish and most short term insurances don't cover pregnancy the first year). For the rest of the family we'll probably just get a "standard" policy since we're all young and healthy 🙂

[NMHayek 56]

2 hours ago, B&C2017 said:

I was looking at expat insurances as well, but since the expat insurances are usually internation health insurances, you just pay an insane amount of money to be insured anywhere in the world (when you're really just looking for a US based insurance) which probably would have to comply with the ACA in order to not get fined. So for your foreign spouse, a private plan would be good. You as a US citizen might even comply with Medicaid or whatever it is called (not sure though how that works with the public charge rule or if this only applies to the immigrant).

 

 

2 hours ago, B&C2017 said:

I was looking at expat insurances as well, but since the expat insurances are usually internation health insurances, you just pay an insane amount of money to be insured anywhere in the world (when you're really just looking for a US based insurance) which probably would have to comply with the ACA in order to not get fined. So for your foreign spouse, a private plan would be good. You as a US citizen might even comply with Medicaid or whatever it is called (not sure though how that works with the public charge rule or if this only applies to the immigrant).

 

Ok thank you, I actually did an application on healthcare.gov today to at least start. I have to submit his immigration information in order to proceed to application. But least I have documentation now that I am working on it. I also searched for plans on the page and picked ones that would be good options. So at least I can show I am doing homework on it. But there really isn't anything you can do until you have that immigration number. 30 Days seems like a short period since this is so complicated, so you would think comprehensive temporary/travel insurance would count. Yes it is expensive and covers nothing but accident and emergencies it seems. 

Only so much I can do without clear instructions