Immigrant Waiting Period
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to place a length of time, such as two years, on determining eligibility for non-US citizens. One reason they like to place a long time frame on U.S. residency is because they want you to establish a medical history in the U.S. If you just moved here from another country, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for an insurance company to verify the accuracy of your health statements. Their decision to approve you for coverage on an individual/family health plan is based on your current and past health status, which they sometimes want to verify by viewing medical records. You might try contacting a local health insurance agent in your state to see if there are any other health insurance companies that have less stringent immigration qualifications. 3 CommentsLeave a comment |
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I am an immigrant staying in Florida for almost 19 months and married to an American. I am having a hard time knowing how to get a health insurance. Is there any chance to have an insurance although I have been working and my husband can’t take me with his insurance because they said that I am not yet two years in USA, Is it true or just plain excused? I am hoping that you can respond to give me some advice.
We would have no way of knowing what the immigrant requirements are for your husband’s health insurance policy, especially since you did not include the name of that insurance company. Is his coverage under a group plan, or an individual plan, and what is the name of the company? We can try to verify this for you.
My husband has insurance at his work and the company is called Blue Cross Blue Shield. The insurance lady at the company is the one that said I can’t go on his health insurance until I have two years here.
Comment by Rose — October 2, 2006 @ 1:23 pm
That does not sound quite right. It is possible that you have been given false information. You can contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida directly to verify what you have been told by the HR dept of your husband’s employer. There is a customer service number located on his membership ID card. Make sure to have the card available when you call so they can reference the group number.
If BCBS confirms this information, you will need to find an individual health insurance plan, or short term health plan in Florida that will provide you with 5 months of coverage while you are waiting to become eligible for your husband’s group insurance.
Comment by Site Advisor — October 3, 2006 @ 8:20 am
How can a new immigrant to the USA get cheap health insurance if they are over 65 years old and also have preexisting conditions? I have looked all over and it seems most health insurance companies require that the applicant is under 65 years in order to be insured and even then it is very expensive. It also seems to be very difficult to find someone that will accept the preexisting conditions at a reasonable price. I have been told to look into a discount health plan and to speak with an insurance agent, so here I am. But then again I have been told that discount health plans are really not the best choice for anyone and that it has much less coverage than even major medical coverage? In the end I must find something for my father, so maybe this is the best choice?
Comment by Bob — June 9, 2009 @ 11:09 pm