SSN requirement for medical insurance

[EricLT 29]

Hi I'm trying to have my spouse added to my employer based medical insurance. They have asked for her SSN, then the ITIN when I told she does not have one. Can she be denied coverage without a SSN? Also as I understand, ITIN can only be applied when I'm filing my tax return? 

[SalishSea 17,829]

6 minutes ago, EricLT said:

Hi I'm trying to have my spouse added to my employer based medical insurance. They have asked for her SSN, then the ITIN when I told she does not have one. Can she be denied coverage without a SSN? Also as I understand, ITIN can only be applied when I'm filing my tax return? 

She cannot be denied coverage if she otherwise qualifies to be added to your plan.   Your employer/HR dept can put in 000-00-0000 for the SSN field, with a note that it will be updated once she receives the SSN.  ITIN would not be useful here.

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

13 minutes ago, EricLT said:

Hi I'm trying to have my spouse added to my employer based medical insurance. They have asked for her SSN, then the ITIN when I told she does not have one. Can she be denied coverage without a SSN? Also as I understand, ITIN can only be applied when I'm filing my tax return? 

@EricLTCall your insurance plan and ask them how HR can add your spouse. Ask them if you can use 111-22-3333. Some insurance plans use that as a placeholder until she gets her SSN. 

She has 76 days after entering the US on k-1 visa to apply for a social security number. You may want to do that, too.

[EricLT 29]

5 minutes ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

@EricLTCall your insurance plan and ask them how HR can add your spouse. Ask them if you can use 111-22-3333. Some insurance plans use that as a placeholder until she gets her SSN. 

She has 76 days after entering the US on k-1 visa to apply for a social security number. You may want to do that, too.

Can we or should we still apply for a SSN after we are married? I haven't filed the AOS yet

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

4 minutes ago, EricLT said:

Can we or should we still apply for a SSN after we are married? I haven't filed the AOS yet

The I-94 she got upon entering the US allows her to apply for a Social Security Number. You can do it before marriage. It will have her maiden name. You can change the name later. 

She has 76 days to do it after entering the US. It's best to do it right away. it will make your life easier when adding her to insurance, opening a bank account, etc

 

[Lil bear 4,207]

Just now, EricLT said:

Can we or should we still apply for a SSN after we are married? I haven't filed the AOS yet

If she didn’t apply very early after arriving .. using her k1 90 day window ., it’s unlikely that the SSN checks would be completed in time .. they take up to 6 weeks ., if you’re passed that window then she will need to wait until she has her EAD in hand before she will have the evidence needed to be issued with a SSN. 
but the advice given about health insurance still stands .. many HR departments don’t know that she can be added without a SSN, so contact the insurer .. you may need to speak to a supervisor/ manager there .. and get the info you need to then advise the HR dept. Marriage is an qualifying  life event which allows changes to health insurance outside the usual “open period” but it is limited to 60 days ( I think ) from date of marriage 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

1 hour ago, EricLT said:

Hi I'm trying to have my spouse added to my employer based medical insurance. They have asked for her SSN, then the ITIN when I told she does not have one. Can she be denied coverage without a SSN? Also as I understand, ITIN can only be applied when I'm filing my tax return? 

She cannot.  Add her “pending receipt of SS number” and if they say they cannot ask them how they cover newborns until they get their number issued.  When they blah blah blah explain then say there’s your answer.

 

There is a limited window after marriage.  Take advantage of it.  

48 minutes ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

The I-94 she got upon entering the US allows her to apply for a Social Security Number. You can do it before marriage. It will have her maiden name. You can change the name later. 

She has 76 days to do it after entering the US. It's best to do it right away. it will make your life easier when adding her to insurance, opening a bank account, etc

 

She doesn’t need a number to be added to health insurance

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

4 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

She doesn’t need a number to be added to health insurance

I am aware. I am just saying having the SSN will make things easier. Often times HR has no clue. Same with the bank account. It's just easier.  

[Adventine 3,196]

I don't have an SSN or ITIN and I got added to my husband's Cigna health insurance without problems. You may just need to escalate to a supervisor.

[EricLT 29]

So knowing there are 30 days left on the K visa. What would happen if we apply? Will she get denied right away? Also can this be applied in person? 

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, EricLT said:

Will she get denied right away?

They'll still accept the SS-5 form if the 76th day hasn't passed. But odds are that might not be enough time and they then say "we can no longer issue the SSN; come back with EAD or GC." For example:

[HRQX 4,145]

13 minutes ago, EricLT said:

Also can this be applied in person?

You must call them first. https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

I need help with my Social Security Number (SSN)

We are prioritizing requests for in-person SSN services for:

• Individuals age 12 or older applying for their first SSN card.
• Individuals who need to update or correct their SSN information (such as your name, date of birth, or citizenship) to obtain income, resources, or medical care or coverage, or other services or benefits (for example filing a tax return, applying for housing, or seeking an Economic Impact Payment).

If you believe you qualify for an in-person appointment, call your local office. You can look up the phone number for your local office by accessing our office locator. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing.

[Lil bear 4,207]

On 7/15/2021 at 8:19 PM, EricLT said:

So knowing there are 30 days left on the K visa. What would happen if we apply? Will she get denied right away? Also can this be applied in person? 

The application will be processed by SSA but if the checks they send off to be done aren’t completed before 14 days prior to the expiry of the I90 it will effectively be denied