Health insurance- need some advice

[asUK 0]

I am a UK citizen married to a USA citizen applying for K3. Although I am not in USA now (and wont be for at least 5 months) I am very concerned about health insurance. I am disabled with spina bifida so insurance is very important to me. I've been told that insurance companies might deny me coverage for having a pre-existing condition if I have a lapse in coverage. I plan on getting on my wife's insurance policy when I get to the USA. My problem is, it takes a while to apply and get EAD and social security number so I will have a lapse in insurance coverage while waiting for this. Is it possible for me to get on her insurance before I get a social security number, or even before I get to the USA?

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Your wife should check with her HR department or the insurance company directly.... some will allow for a spouse to be added at the time of immigrating as this is a life changing event... but only the insurance company or HR can answer that... your NHS card or a letter from your GP stating that you were covered under the NHS plan ,will help in making sure you are covered for pre-existing conditions as it shows prior insurance coverage...

Kez

[Dakine 26]

I am a UK citizen married to a USA citizen applying for K3. Although I am not in USA now (and wont be for at least 5 months) I am very concerned about health insurance. I am disabled with spina bifida so insurance is very important to me. I've been told that insurance companies might deny me coverage for having a pre-existing condition if I have a lapse in coverage. I plan on getting on my wife's insurance policy when I get to the USA. My problem is, it takes a while to apply and get EAD and social security number so I will have a lapse in insurance coverage while waiting for this. Is it possible for me to get on her insurance before I get a social security number, or even before I get to the USA?

Check on going with the CR visa as it may take a LONG time to get a SSN with the K3.

Most insurance companies require a SSN. Have your wife check and see if her's does.

[Lansbury 19]

your NHS card or a letter from your GP stating that you were covered under the NHS plan ,will help in making sure you are covered for pre-existing conditions as it shows prior insurance coverage...

Kez

Like all things on here that doesn't apply in all States certainly not Oregon. While Blue Cross/Blue Shield accept the NHS card in some other States they don't in Oregon. So it is something which needs to be checked State by State and possibly company by company as well.

My wife (USC) is diabetic and no medical insurance company that operates in Oregon would take her even though we could show 10 years of NHS cover and countless years before that of US cover all without a break. That wasn't just for pre-existing conditions it was a total refusal to offer any cover at all, she had to go into the Oregon Medical Pool.

[Lansbury 19]

your NHS card or a letter from your GP stating that you were covered under the NHS plan ,will help in making sure you are covered for pre-existing conditions as it shows prior insurance coverage...

Kez

Like all things on here that doesn't apply in all States certainly not Oregon. While Blue Cross/Blue Shield accept the NHS card in some other States they don't in Oregon. So it is something which needs to be checked State by State and possibly company by company as well.

My wife (USC) is diabetic and no medical insurance company that operates in Oregon would take her even though we could show 10 years of NHS cover and countless years before that of US cover all without a break. That wasn't just for pre-existing conditions it was a total refusal to offer any cover at all, she had to go into the Oregon Medical Pool.

[Lansbury 19]

removed posted three times

Edited October 2, 2007 by Lansbury

[Lansbury 19]

Haven't a clue what happened there it only appeared to post once. Sorry for the identical postings I could only edit one out.

[Lansbury 19]

I am a UK citizen married to a USA citizen applying for K3. Although I am not in USA now (and wont be for at least 5 months) I am very concerned about health insurance. I am disabled with spina bifida so insurance is very important to me. I've been told that insurance companies might deny me coverage for having a pre-existing condition if I have a lapse in coverage. I plan on getting on my wife's insurance policy when I get to the USA. My problem is, it takes a while to apply and get EAD and social security number so I will have a lapse in insurance coverage while waiting for this. Is it possible for me to get on her insurance before I get a social security number, or even before I get to the USA?

I think you or your wife need to look into this right away. Do not assume that you will get cover and take steps now to see what will be available to you.

My wife is diabetic and we had real problems getting her any cover at all.

[cshell 0]

This post is a little old but seeing that you aren't coming to the US for a few months - I thought I'd give you my 2 cents. If your fiance has health coverage and is able to change it to a family plan upon marriage then you can get coverage on the day that you marry. You just set everthing up before hand and then call to the insurance the day you marry and say that you are now married.

I did that with my late husband who had cancer. He was covered the day we got married for hospital expenses. If he was in the hospital before we married as well as the day we married then they would start coverage when he got out. Because he was a spouse and my work offers family coverage pre-existing doesn't apply - only in the aspect as above. They covered his expenses due to cancer for 2 years - until he passed away.

As I reread your post - I see that you are coming on a K-3 - you are already married. Have your spouse add you to the policy before you get here and you should be covered upon arrival

I hope that your spose has the option of family coverage!

Edited October 20, 2007 by cshell