Cheap healthcare plans for (unemployed) immigrant?

[serret 55]

Hi! I'm writing on behalf of a friend who is an immigrant in the US and lost their federal contractor job due to the layoffs recently.

 

They live in DC and were in the middle of the green card process through their federal employer but since they lost their job, the process stopped. They are exploring other options now like a self-sponsored green card (EB1 or EB2).

 

In the meantime, they have to find a cheap healthcare plan while they are unemployed (and they cannot apply for unemployment). I'm thinking of a plan that's better for serious health issues (like hospitalization) but may not be as good for routine check-ups or visits to the doctor. As far as I know, she has no serious health issues.

 

We are both immigrants from a country that has universal public healthcare so we're a bit lost in all these endless options. We'd be very grateful if people could share their experience and knowledge with affordable health plans. Thanks in advance!

[appleblossom 3,610]

59 minutes ago, serret said:

Hi! I'm writing on behalf of a friend who is an immigrant in the US and lost their federal contractor job due to the layoffs recently.

 

They live in DC and were in the middle of the green card process through their federal employer but since they lost their job, the process stopped. They are exploring other options now like a self-sponsored green card (EB1 or EB2).

 

In the meantime, they have to find a cheap healthcare plan while they are unemployed (and they cannot apply for unemployment). I'm thinking of a plan that's better for serious health issues (like hospitalization) but may not be as good for routine check-ups or visits to the doctor. As far as I know, she has no serious health issues.

 

We are both immigrants from a country that has universal public healthcare so we're a bit lost in all these endless options. We'd be very grateful if people could share their experience and knowledge with affordable health plans. Thanks in advance!

 

What was their visa/status until they lost their jobs? How do they intend to stay if that has ended?

 

They can look at COBRA, which would continue their previous employment based coverage if they lost their job through no fault of their own. 

[serret 55]

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

 

What was their visa/status until they lost their jobs? How do they intend to stay if that has ended?

 

They can look at COBRA, which would continue their previous employment based coverage if they lost their job through no fault of their own. 

 

They were working on a J1. They were subject to the 2-year rule but if I'm not mistaken they got a waiver and were in the middle of the green card process. 

 

Now they're trying for EB1 or EB2. They got some recognition for their work so this is what their immigration attorney suggested. Hopefully it'll work.

[appleblossom 3,610]

13 minutes ago, serret said:

 

They were working on a J1. They were subject to the 2-year rule but if I'm not mistaken they got a waiver and were in the middle of the green card process. 

 

Now they're trying for EB1 or EB2. They got some recognition for their work so this is what their immigration attorney suggested. Hopefully it'll work.

 

So they have to leave the US within 30 days - get them to check as their healthcare from employment should remain until the end of the month that they were laid off in. So that may cover them.  

 

A HRR waiver normally takes quite some time, are you sure they’ve got it? I’d suggest they join VJ themselves so they can get more info. 

[serret 55]

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

 

So they have to leave the US within 30 days - get them to check as their healthcare from employment should remain until the end of the month that they were laid off in. So that may cover them.  

 

A HRR waiver normally takes quite some time, are you sure they’ve got it? I’d suggest they join VJ themselves so they can get more info. 

I do not know the specifics but they applied for a green card back in 2021 and I vaguely remember them getting the waiver. But now that path is closed because it was employer-sponsored and they got laid off. Their immigration attorney now is preparing to apply asap for EB1 and EB2. 

As I said, I don't know the specifics and this question is not what they should for immigration. Their immigration attorney (who is also a university professor) is looking into that already. It's to learn if there are any cheap healthcare plans they can purchase without making them a public charge.

Edited March 20 by serret

[appleblossom 3,610]

33 minutes ago, serret said:

I do not know the specifics but they applied for a green card back in 2021 and I vaguely remember them getting the waiver. But now that path is closed because it was employer-sponsored and they got laid off. Their immigration attorney now is preparing to apply asap for EB1 and EB2. 

As I said, I don't know the specifics and this question is not what they should for immigration. Their immigration attorney (who is also a university professor) is looking into that already. It's to learn if there are any cheap healthcare plans they can purchase without making them a public charge.

 

And I suggested they check their existing healthcare, which may well run past the end date of their employment. Failing that, COBRA. That’s the easiest option, there’s really no point in them going through all the hassle of signing up to a new healthcare plan when they only need something very short term. 

 

Do suggest that they join VJ, there are lots of us that have been through the EB process so it’s a great place for info. Good luck to them. 

 

 

Edited March 20 by appleblossom