Obama Care Questions

[Tesco 93]

So, we leave for Florida next week, after a long process. I wanted to ask of any experiences with Obama Care enrolment.

 

I'm on an IR1 and spouse is a USC, that is 'moving from a foreign country' to the U.S.

 

We will enrol on our first full day in the county. Of course I will not have my SS Card through, so do I just leave that field blank on the application? I can fill in the Immigrant Visa and I-551 information, which I see is verified through the SAVE system. If arriving into the U.S. and then enrolling so soon, going to cause a problem, will they know about my arrival? Is the system in real time, would this have been updated at the POE the day before? Would you likely be asked to upload a photo of the visa and I-551?

 

As for my spouse, (moving from a foreign country to the U.S.). Has anyone experienced this and what evidence if any was required? Do that take you on your word? We fly together and I have the flight confirmation with both our names and seat assignments etc.

 

Thank you

[Boiler 46,770]

OCare varies by State, but it is not immediate you can apply as soon as you show State residency but there will be a lag.

 

You are going to show you qualify, are a LPR, are State resident, not sure what you mean by flights?

[Tesco 93]

  On 3/2/2025 at 9:46 PM, Boiler said:

OCare varies by State, but it is not immediate you can apply as soon as you show State residency but there will be a lag.

 

You are going to show you qualify, are a LPR, are State resident, not sure what you mean by flights?

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The flights part is for my USC Spouse who has been living with me overseas. Is proof of the flight to the U.S enough, (i.e. uploading a boarding pass)? CBP don't date stamp passports anymore, so I wonder how someone can prove they have moved and enrol in Obama care the next day.

[Boiler 46,770]

That is not how it works, all I can suggest is you go on the web site of the State concerned and see what they require and compare that with what you will have.

[Lemonslice 5,101]

  On 3/2/2025 at 10:01 PM, Tesco said:

The flights part is for my USC Spouse who has been living with me overseas. Is proof of the flight to the U.S enough, (i.e. uploading a boarding pass)? CBP don't date stamp passports anymore, so I wonder how someone can prove they have moved and enrol in Obama care the next day.

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Your spouse should make sure that CBB do stamp their visa.  This is necessary. 

[mam521 2,406]

Because any type of healthcare plan in the US isn't instantaneous, it's highly recommended you buy some sort of short term gap insurance.  It might cost a little bit but it ensures you have time to find a decent plan and get your address and social all sorted.  

 

What is your spouse doing for work?  Or perhaps you're coming to the US with a job?  In other words, is there a potential opportunity for coverage through work that will be available soon?  

[Tesco 93]

Thank you. My spouse has a job lined up, but there are no benefits. We do have several months of short term coverage to see us through, as an overlap. Speaking with ACA, coverage would begin April 1st, providing my SS card/number is received ok. I had asked for it to be sent on the DS-260.

[mam521 2,406]

  On 3/3/2025 at 4:13 PM, Tesco said:

Thank you. My spouse has a job lined up, but there are no benefits. We do have several months of short term coverage to see us through, as an overlap. Speaking with ACA, coverage would begin April 1st, providing my SS card/number is received ok. I had asked for it to be sent on the DS-260.

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If you do have short term coverage, I'd recommend finding an insurance broker that understands the plans and can shop for you. Navigating it all can be challenging and then you have relentless solicitation calls and e-mails from the companies that will continue to annoy you long past the time you've chosen a plan. A talented broker will deal with that garbage and break your choices down into something palatable.  

 

I'm sure you've seen the jokes about "we're calling about your vehicle's extended warranty" - yeah, you get the same for health insurance, too.  

[appleblossom 3,779]

We had to provide evidence of living in MA i.e. rental agreement, utility bills, so as suggested above, I’d strongly suggest you get some interim insurance to cover you until it kicks in in case your state requires similar. And do be prepared for a fairly hefty price! Ours is $2400/month.

 

Are you sure your spouse’s job won’t include health insurance? I thought it was a legal requirement for all employers, but maybe that’s just MA.

Edited March 3 by appleblossom

[mam521 2,406]

  On 3/3/2025 at 5:35 PM, appleblossom said:

Are you sure your spouse’s job won’t include health insurance?

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Perhaps self employment/contractor work?  

[SL2024 206]

  On 3/2/2025 at 8:24 PM, Tesco said:

So, we leave for Florida next week, after a long process. I wanted to ask of any experiences with Obama Care enrolment.

 

I'm on an IR1 and spouse is a USC, that is 'moving from a foreign country' to the U.S.

 

We will enrol on our first full day in the county. Of course I will not have my SS Card through, so do I just leave that field blank on the application? I can fill in the Immigrant Visa and I-551 information, which I see is verified through the SAVE system. If arriving into the U.S. and then enrolling so soon, going to cause a problem, will they know about my arrival? Is the system in real time, would this have been updated at the POE the day before? Would you likely be asked to upload a photo of the visa and I-551?

 

As for my spouse, (moving from a foreign country to the U.S.). Has anyone experienced this and what evidence if any was required? Do that take you on your word? We fly together and I have the flight confirmation with both our names and seat assignments etc.

 

Thank you

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Glad that you are finally travelling over to Florida next week. I know from a few posts on this forum since I joined and through our discussions on some posts that it has been a very long and difficult process for you.

[Tesco 93]

So we were able to sign up to ACA ok and picked a plan to start April 1st. The problem that I have is that Healthcare.gov are unable to verify my income, (which will likely be a few hundred dollars this year). I suspect that as the application asked for a SSN, and I didn't have one yet, (I left this blank). I do have an ITIN, which we use as we file jointly for 2024 and previously. I did a note and uploaded, with regards income, but until I get my SSN through, they say that unless they can verify income, the Premium Tax credits could change or end? This means we'd pay $1,900 a month. Ok, would get this back come tax submission time next year, but it's an awful lot to pay up front. 

 

Has anyone had this?

 

Thank you

 

We need to confirm: Annual Income (for me only, not USC Spouse)

Send documents by: June xx

If you don't: Your financial help will change or end

Edited March 21 by Tesco

[SnowyDays 8]

  On 3/3/2025 at 3:25 PM, mam521 said:

Because any type of healthcare plan in the US isn't instantaneous, it's highly recommended you buy some sort of short term gap insurance.  It might cost a little bit but it ensures you have time to find a decent plan and get your address and social all sorted.  

 

What is your spouse doing for work?  Or perhaps you're coming to the US with a job?  In other words, is there a potential opportunity for coverage through work that will be available soon?  

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For reference for anyone else reading, in our case (buying coverage inside the US while in AOS) we were asked when we wanted coverage to begin (retroactively).  So coverage bought mid March (when we filed for AOS, had been on travel insurance before) but applied from Jan 1.  We had nothing to claim for that period, I am not sure if they would have complained for that period if we had claims - but that is what we were offered on application
 

  On 3/21/2025 at 5:17 PM, Tesco said:

So we were able to sign up to ACA ok and picked a plan to start April 1st. The problem that I have is that Healthcare.gov are unable to verify my income, (which will likely be a few hundred dollars this year). I suspect that as the application asked for a SSN, and I didn't have one yet, (I left this blank). I do have an ITIN, which we use as we file jointly for 2024 and previously. I did a note and uploaded, with regards income, but until I get my SSN through, they say that unless they can verify income, the Premium Tax credits could change or end? This means we'd pay $1,900 a month. Ok, would get this back come tax submission time next year, but it's an awful lot to pay up front. 

 

Has anyone had this?

 

Thank you

 

We need to confirm: Annual Income (for me only, not USC Spouse)

Send documents by: June xx

If you don't: Your financial help will change or end

Expand  

 

I'd call the healthcare.gov people - there are options to report a change in status (ie income) which would impact your eligibility. 

[Tesco 93]

  On 3/30/2025 at 7:26 PM, SnowyDays said:

For reference for anyone else reading, in our case (buying coverage inside the US while in AOS) we were asked when we wanted coverage to begin (retroactively).  So coverage bought mid March (when we filed for AOS, had been on travel insurance before) but applied from Jan 1.  We had nothing to claim for that period, I am not sure if they would have complained for that period if we had claims - but that is what we were offered on application
 

 

I'd call the healthcare.gov people - there are options to report a change in status (ie income) which would impact your eligibility. 

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Thankfully all sorted out with Healthcare.gov. Spouse had to upload a job offer letter, which did the trick. Without this, we would still had coverage, but would have paid $1,900 a month, (no financial help).

[TBoneTX 46,829]

  On 3/30/2025 at 8:02 PM, Tesco said:

Thankfully all sorted out with Healthcare.gov

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That's great news!  What a relief for you.

 

If you would like for this thread to be locked because the issue is resolved (and this is 100% your decision), hit the "report" choice among the 3 dots at upper right, explain what you want, and it'll be taken care of for you.

Edited March 31 by TBoneTX