Medical Insurance for K1 Fiance

[thonati 31]

I searched but did not find a post to my specific question.

 

What insurance does everyone recommend for my K1 fiance while she is in the US but before we are married?  I do not plan to marry her until she experiences a few months of cold weather (Michigan).  She is from Philippines and has NEVER experienced snow/cold.  She claims she will be fine but I want to see her perform a snow angel, build a snowman and perhaps a few white washes and snowball fights before I am confident she will not bail on me.

 

I need to get her coverage for the entire 90 days.  Does travel insurance have good coverage?  I am not sure if Obamacare is available for short term until she gets on my insurance.

[powerpuff 6,680]

So you’re not planning to marry her within the 90 days given? You signed statements stating that you will marry within 90 days of the arrival in the US.

[thonati 31]

37 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

So you’re not planning to marry her within the 90 days given? You signed statements stating that you will marry within 90 days of the arrival in the US.

Where did I say I would not be married during the 90 days?  I did not say that.  The requirement is very clear regarding the 90 days.

[powerpuff 6,680]

 

46 minutes ago, thonati said:

while she is in the US but before we are married?

47 minutes ago, thonati said:

I need to get her coverage for the entire 90 days.  

 

49 minutes ago, thonati said:

do not plan to marry her until she experiences a few months of cold weather

These statements led me to believe that.

To answer your question, no she won’t be eligible for ACA (aka Obamacare) on a temporary basis. This is what I had when I first came but we were already married and I had to show a bunch of stuff showing I’m eligible and it was a long term insurance; it also took several weeks to kick in.

 

Travel insurance doesn’t usually have good coverage (only emergencies) and from what I’ve been reading over the years here, K1s aren’t eligible because they’re not visiting, they actually relocate here to take up residence.

 

Waiting to marry (and consequently delaying filing AOS) puts a K1 holder in a vulnerable position, including both from an immigration perspective and the health insurance aspect. I never recommend waiting, especially if it’s to test your partner to see if they’ll bail because it’s too cold.

 

[P055UM 281]

Ugh as far as I know there isn’t really a good option. It is a very niche marketplace and small set of consumers. Granted I haven’t researched it in a couple years.

 

Obamacare is out. Travel insurance is lighting money on fire. 

 

Back in 2021 I bought some short term coverage through Loomis but honestly I am extremely glad I never tried to use it because who knows if it would’ve paid. 

 

Short answer is the best way to get health insurance is to get married. If you decide to wait on getting married then that is up to you, but you at least know the risk you are taking (not to mention longer to get green card/papers etc etc)

 

Good luck! 

[thonati 31]

3 hours ago, P055UM said:

Ugh as far as I know there isn’t really a good option. It is a very niche marketplace and small set of consumers. Granted I haven’t researched it in a couple years.

 

Obamacare is out. Travel insurance is lighting money on fire. 

 

Back in 2021 I bought some short term coverage through Loomis but honestly I am extremely glad I never tried to use it because who knows if it would’ve paid. 

 

Short answer is the best way to get health insurance is to get married. If you decide to wait on getting married then that is up to you, but you at least know the risk you are taking (not to mention longer to get green card/papers etc etc)

 

Good luck! 

Thanks for the quick reply.  We could delay her arrival and keep her in Philippines until we can get married but that seems too agonizing to me.  I guess I will leave it up to her.

 

Come to think of it, my health insurance covers domestic partners too.  I will have to check into that and find out what the requirements are for someone becoming a "domestic partner".

[thonati 31]

UPDATE:  United Healthcare has an insurance policy for exactly what I am looking for.  It is targeted for K1 Visa holders.  It is active on arrival date, only covers while she is in the US, good for 90 days or marriage whatever comes first.  It has variable maximum coverage starting at $50,000, $250 deductible, $30 co-pay for urgent care.  $250 deductible for emergency room visits, waived if admitted.  PPO so have to use in-network Doctors which my doctor participates.   Premium is only $250 for the entire 90 day policy.

 

This is exactly what I am looking for.  You can buy the insurance ahead of time and when the arrival date gets closer, you can activate it to start on a specific date.  Then the 90 day clock starts. 

[TBoneTX 45,259]

12 minutes ago, thonati said:

United Healthcare has an insurance policy for exactly what I am looking for.

Somebody at UHC was on the ball regarding a truly niche market!  Really helpful of you to post this.   

 

Edited to add:  What's the precise name of the policy?

Edited July 24 by TBoneTX

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

17 hours ago, thonati said:

I need to get her coverage for the entire 90 days.

A better option, imo, is to marry asap after she enters, and start her medical coverage under a spouse plan.  I don't think a K-1 was ever meant to be a "try before you buy" visa. 

[thonati 31]

30 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

A better option, imo, is to marry asap after she enters, and start her medical coverage under a spouse plan.  I don't think a K-1 was ever meant to be a "try before you buy" visa. 

I 100% disagree.  If that were the case, the visa would only be good for 15 or 30 days.  There is a reason that the duration is 90 days.   That logic does not make any sense.  Whatever the reason, K1 visa has 90 days to get married...period. 

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

2 hours ago, thonati said:

Whatever the reason, K1 visa has 90 days to get married...period.

 I have never seen a letter of intent with the words "I might marry within 90 days".  Anyway, I hope you find a good insurance plan to fit your needs.  That is a question which comes up often.  There really is very little good information regarding temporary coverage outside travel insurance.  Please post the particulars to that policy.

Edited July 24 by Crazy Cat

[yuna628 9,671]

2 hours ago, thonati said:

I 100% disagree.  If that were the case, the visa would only be good for 15 or 30 days.  There is a reason that the duration is 90 days.   That logic does not make any sense.  Whatever the reason, K1 visa has 90 days to get married...period. 

The length of time for a K1 whether it is 15, 30, or 90 days is given, I would assume so that the couple that get affairs in order or even plan a wedding. Still, such visas are not a try before buying visas, as you write a letter of intent swearing to the fact that you WILL marry. That of course doesn't mean that things happen and you don't end up marrying... but it is strange to me that people are not intending to marry that aren't serious or committed to their relationships and hinge it on whether they like winter weather or not. It is a big thing to ask someone to upend their entire lives and move to a different country with them - thoughts of winter weather should be rather irrelevant.  For any relationship one should be marrying for love and commitment.

 

Marrying later can create issues for the long term, in regards to getting an SSN and obtaining healthcare, getting a DL/ID, and getting in line for AOS/EAD. Marrying sooner protects the immigrant and enables the process to go smoothly. But I would never recommend marrying or even doing a K1 process, if both parties are not sure to begin with. Immigration is hard. Marriage is hard.

11 hours ago, thonati said:

UPDATE:  United Healthcare has an insurance policy for exactly what I am looking for.  It is targeted for K1 Visa holders.  It is active on arrival date, only covers while she is in the US, good for 90 days or marriage whatever comes first.  It has variable maximum coverage starting at $50,000, $250 deductible, $30 co-pay for urgent care.  $250 deductible for emergency room visits, waived if admitted.  PPO so have to use in-network Doctors which my doctor participates.   Premium is only $250 for the entire 90 day policy.

 

This is exactly what I am looking for.  You can buy the insurance ahead of time and when the arrival date gets closer, you can activate it to start on a specific date.  Then the 90 day clock starts. 

 

The insurance you're referencing and that do exist though I'm not familiar with a said UH plan, is a type of ''temporary immigrant insurance" these are not ACA (Obamacare compliant) and you will find coverage dubious at best. Still, some like the ''peace of mind". What is the actual name/type of plan?

[thonati 31]

49 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Still, such visas are not a try before buying visas, as you write a letter of intent swearing to the fact that you WILL marry. That of course doesn't mean that things happen and you don't end up marrying... but it is strange to me that people are not intending to marry that aren't serious or committed to their relationships and hinge it on whether they like winter weather or not. It is a big thing to ask someone to upend their entire lives and move to a different country with them - thoughts of winter weather should be rather irrelevant.  For any relationship one should be marrying for love and commitment.

 

The logic on this board is certainly below average.  In my experience closed minded people have a rough time in life even though they do not realize it. The Letter of Intent is just that INTENT based on the facts and circumstances today.  With your simple logic, why didn't the US Congress add into 8 US Code 1201 REQUIRING marriage before you leave the airport?  Marriage on the date of arrival? Congress did not require this and allows for 90 days to get married.

 

I signed the Letter of Intent to marry my fiance within 90 days.  No question, that is my goal.  However, many circumstances change during that 90 days.  Even on this board, I have read horror stories about K1 marriages.  I remember one where the fiance arrived, cleared CBP, jumped in a car and left the airport.  She later texted her USC fiance saying "they denied me" then went dark.

 

So I am keeping my options open.  I do not have a crystal ball, I do not know of any wormhole in the space/time fabric, nor do I read minds. <DELETED> , I am always prepared for the unexpected.  What if my fiance ditches me upon arrival?  What if I find out my fiance lied to me and has 25 children?, what if my fiance is an axe murderer that was not caught in the police clearance?, what if my fiance is a horrible drug addicted prostitute?    With your logic, I would still be required to marry her because I signed the letter of intent?  You probably should take some Logic Classes at your local community college, hell I will even send you a link to my on-line logic class.  If you are a veteran, over 65 or disabled, it is free.

 

I teach all my students to keep an open mind about everything.  In the Logic 101 Class that I teach, I require my students to be nimble, collect as much data as possible before a decision is made.  Once a decision is made, always have options.  Never let others force you into a situation where you are not comfortable, just walk away. 

Edited July 24 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

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[beloved_dingo 1,976]

It would be advisable to get married on a date that leaves plenty of time to gather docs and file AOS before the 90 days are up. She will be out of status if she files AOS after that point, which is never recommended.

 

For instance, if you marry around day 60, that gives you 2 months to "see her perform a snow angel" and leave plenty of time to file AOS.