Health Insurance for Immigrating Spouse

[miha25 22]

Does anyone know the process for obtaining health insurance in the US for an incoming spouse given the lack of ITIN or SS number? With the cost of healthcare in the US, I don't want my partner stepping foot in the US without coverage. Either an ITIN or SS number are necessary to sign up for coverage, but is the SS number generated immediately at the consular interview? If you've obtained health insurance for your incoming spouse, will you share how you handled this prior to them entering the country?

[nastra30 2,349]

7 minutes ago, miha25 said:

Does anyone know the process for obtaining health insurance in the US for an incoming spouse given the lack of ITIN or SS number? - Without SSN some employers may allow you to add them to your policy and give you a grace period to supply SSN. But you'll have to call them.

 

With the cost of healthcare in the US, I don't want my partner stepping foot in the US without coverage. Either an ITIN or SS number are necessary to sign up for coverage, but is the SS number generated immediately at the consular interview? - No, SSN is generated when immigrant arrives in the US. Usually received 2+ weeks after arrival. If not received by 4 weeks you may go to your local SSA office to follow up.

 

 

[miha25 22]

Thanks so much for responding. I'm self-employed, though, so have to buy from the marketplace. On your urging, I'll give them a call (in Connecticut it's handled by the state), to see what they say. I'll post here again if anyone is in the same position.

[JeanneAdil 6,610]

To get a Social Security number (SSN) as an immigrant, you can: 

 

• Apply for your SSN when you apply for your visa 
  ds 260
• Visit a local Social Security office or Card Center 
  appointment needed
• Complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) 
  you can get the form online
• Provide documents that prove your identity and work-authorized immigration status 

    Passport with valid spouse visa and stamped I 551 will suffice /that is photo ID,,  proof of legal status in US,        and all they need.   1 SS officer told me i  needed marriage certificate and i asked to see supervisor who 

    checked the system and said "ours was in the system"  and marriage certificate wasn't needed

 

 

[pushbrk 13,076]

It's quite possible you may not be able to purchase full insurance right away, but you can soon after.  But, you CAN purchase travel insurance that will cover the needs you are concerned about.

[oldgreg 10]

We had open enrollment and I called and inquired about signing my wife up. I figured I had to get her insurance during this period but I was wrong. They said when she gets here, call them and they will be able to add her to my policy. Saves me from paying for her for a few months.

[pushbrk 13,076]

1 minute ago, oldgreg said:

We had open enrollment and I called and inquired about signing my wife up. I figured I had to get her insurance during this period but I was wrong. They said when she gets here, call them and they will be able to add her to my policy. Saves me from paying for her for a few months.

Correct procedure, but some will  not add without a SS number.  Call and explain and see what they say.  Temporary solution, if needed, is travel insurance.

[Maitremathieu 5]

I added my wife and step-daughter to my insurance right after we were married and had the window for a qualifying life event. My employer wasn't sure how to do it initially without an SSN but called our corporate HR and they were able to do it. They're still abroad as we're going through the process, but it gives me peace of mind to have them covered now, plus it was one more piece of evidence of relationship for the I-130.

[miha25 22]

On 12/19/2024 at 5:09 PM, pushbrk said:

It's quite possible you may not be able to purchase full insurance right away, but you can soon after.  But, you CAN purchase travel insurance that will cover the needs you are concerned about.

I think you're correct, that I can't add my spouse until we have the SS number. Obtaining a TIN number would take too long at this point and we're better off waiting on the SS number and buying private travel insurance with US coverage. The cost of travel health insurance can basically be broken down into two categories: 1) The entire world without US coverage and 2) The entire world with US coverage, and the cost difference between the two is outrageous, another topic altogether, sigh.

[miha25 22]

On 12/19/2024 at 6:16 PM, oldgreg said:

We had open enrollment and I called and inquired about signing my wife up. I figured I had to get her insurance during this period but I was wrong. They said when she gets here, call them and they will be able to add her to my policy. Saves me from paying for her for a few months.

This doesn't apply to me because I'm self-employed and purchase my own insurance from the marketplace, but my concern with what your enrollment person said is, what happens if your spouse has a medical emergency before they complete enrollment. Given their answer, what is the precise day he/she/they would be covered? I personally wouldn't risk my spouse being in the US for a day without coverage. A simple ER visit could cost thousands, let alone a more serious emergency.

[miha25 22]

57 minutes ago, Maitremathieu said:

I added my wife and step-daughter to my insurance right after we were married and had the window for a qualifying life event. My employer wasn't sure how to do it initially without an SSN but called our corporate HR and they were able to do it. They're still abroad as we're going through the process, but it gives me peace of mind to have them covered now, plus it was one more piece of evidence of relationship for the I-130.

That's great they were able to add your wife and stepdaughter prior to their entrance and without a SS number. It would be prudent for anyone in this situation who has coverage with their employer to do the same. Agreed on it being a positive thing for the interview. 

[oldgreg 10]

11 hours ago, miha25 said:

This doesn't apply to me because I'm self-employed and purchase my own insurance from the marketplace, but my concern with what your enrollment person said is, what happens if your spouse has a medical emergency before they complete enrollment. Given their answer, what is the precise day he/she/they would be covered? I personally wouldn't risk my spouse being in the US for a day without coverage. A simple ER visit could cost thousands, let alone a more serious emergency.

 

I went years without coverage and survived. She is 34, knock on wood, if something happened in this period, I would have to open up the check book. 

[appleblossom 2,988]

14 hours ago, oldgreg said:

 

I went years without coverage and survived. She is 34, knock on wood, if something happened in this period, I would have to open up the check book. 

 

Most people wouldn’t have enough even if they did 'open up the check book’. A friend of mine had a $295k bill because his wife woke up one morning paralysed from the waist down - a very rare neurological condition, but one that could happen to anybody. I had a 4 day stay in hospital last year, thankfully my insurance covered it, but that would have been $28k. 

 

So personally I think the OP is being very sensible in ensuring his spouse has decent medical coverage. 

Edited January 5 by appleblossom

[OldUser 7,361]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

 

Most people wouldn’t have enough even if they did 'open up the check book’. A friend of mine had a $295k bill because his wife woke up one morning paralysed from the waist down - a very rare neurological condition, but one that could happen to anybody. I had a 4 day stay in hospital last year, thankfully my insurance covered it, but that would have been $28k. 

 

So personally I think the OP is being very sensible in ensuring his spouse has decent medical coverage. 

Agreed, even simple things like broken arm / leg can cost several thousands just for X-Rays.

[Ontarkie 14,420]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, form IR1/CR1 P&P- as the questions are about health insurance and this is discussed here.~~