Need Immediate Healthcare for my wife who came over on K-1

[rdm 0]

Good afternoon all,

 

After 5 years of being together, my wife and I were finally married after she was able to come to the US on a K-1 Visa from Egypt. We have recently submitted all the required documentation for her to change the status of her visa with the hope that she will get a green card in a decent amount of time. However, until that time, I need to find her an affordable option for health insurance. Normally, I would have put her on mine, but because of COVID, the company I worked for had massive layoffs; in short, I lost mine. Regardless, after arriving to the US my wife began having medical issues that require visits to various doctors. However, this was becoming really expensive and we have been searching for options that would allow her to continue seeing the doctor. Thus, I am here to ask for your help and to see what you all have done for your families once they arrived in the US in terms of medical insurance. I would appreciate any information you can provide or referrals towards policies that cover more than just emergency situations. 

 

Thank you all in advance.

 

Stay healthy out there

 

-T 

[Ontarkie 14,231]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from K1 P&P - as the OP is asking about health insurance.~~

[geowrian 22,337]

First option in her case would likely be her state's exchange. Start at https://healthcare.gov.

Both marriage and filing for AOS would be qualifying life events for a special enrollment period.

The only issue would be if she waited too long. Then she would need to wait for open enrollment.

 

Private insurance options are possible, although they almost never cover preexisting conditions and it sounds like that would likely be the primary issue here.

[Lemonslice 4,859]

You might still be eligible to COBRA, something to look into, as it can be retroactive. 

[rdm 0]

Thanks geowrian. 

 

Thank you for your response. I recently tried the healthcare.gov route; unfortunately, they were giving me problems. Although this is a viable route, it will take time. I plan on pursuing this route over the long run, but I am need of something private for the next month or so.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

56 minutes ago, rdm said:

Good afternoon all,

 

After 5 years of being together, my wife and I were finally married after she was able to come to the US on a K-1 Visa from Egypt. We have recently submitted all the required documentation for her to change the status of her visa with the hope that she will get a green card in a decent amount of time. However, until that time, I need to find her an affordable option for health insurance. Normally, I would have put her on mine, but because of COVID, the company I worked for had massive layoffs; in short, I lost mine. Regardless, after arriving to the US my wife began having medical issues that require visits to various doctors. However, this was becoming really expensive and we have been searching for options that would allow her to continue seeing the doctor. Thus, I am here to ask for your help and to see what you all have done for your families once they arrived in the US in terms of medical insurance. I would appreciate any information you can provide or referrals towards policies that cover more than just emergency situations. 

 

Thank you all in advance.

 

Stay healthy out there

 

-T 

is it too late for you to sign up for cobra? That would have been your best bet. 

Your other option is to go to healthcare.gov and sign up; hopefully you are still within the enrollment period for her immigration/marriage. If not you have to wait until the fall for open enrollment. Did you submit the I-944? Not having health insurance is a negative, FYI..

Some states have provided special open enrollment periods for health insurance so maybe your state did as well?

Please complete your VJ timeline so we can answer your questions more appropriately. 

[Lemonslice 4,859]

If possible, Cobra would be your best bet, their coverage can be retroactive and would help with the previous expenses.

[databit 328]

COBRA signup time now extended: 

 

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/20/892140500/rule-change-gives-laid-off-workers-more-time-to-sign-up-for-cobra-insurance