Getting Health Insurance

[username33]

Anybody have trouble getting their wife health insurance? As I wrote on my blog http://everybodyiloveyou.blogspot.com/2006/12/blue-shield-of-california.html, Blue Shield of California denied us today because they were unable to request medical information out of the United States. They'll re-evaluate our application only if we provide medical records. What kind of records, who could say? And how would they know they're complete? It's pretty ridiculous. Does anyone take foreign-born US residents? How do you do it?

Thanks. - S.

[ScottinCrimea]

It seems to me that if she is your wife and you are on any type of company plan, they shouldn't require medical records to put her on the plan.  My suggestion is that you talk to the HR department at your company and ask them to intervene.

[Admin]

Anybody have trouble getting their wife health insurance? As I wrote on my blog http://everybodyiloveyou.blogspot.com/2006/12/blue-shield-of-california.html, Blue Shield of California denied us today because they were unable to request medical information out of the United States. They'll re-evaluate our application only if we provide medical records. What kind of records, who could say? And how would they know they're complete? It's pretty ridiculous. Does anyone take foreign-born US residents? How do you do it?

Thanks. - S.

About the only way you can avoid the 'qualifying' phase is to have available an HMO in which you can enroll. If you are on an individual policy, there is not much at all you can do - sadly.

Maybe someone will jump in with a more optimistic prospect.

- Dan

[START2]

That is very odd. When I added my wife and step son, last year, all I did was fx my HR dept. a copy of the marriage license. No questions asked about health. WE had BCBS to but not the Ca. BCBS. Now we have Cigna but there were no questions with them either.
  Do you have insurance through your work or is it your own personal policy? That might make a difference. Could it be you were trying to add her to the policy with a high death benefit. Say $100,000 or more? That might have triggered a health physical.

[jb]

We also have BCBS, no problems adding the wife to the policy when she arrived.

[Admin]

We will probably need to wait to understand the particulars, but I think the difference is you guys had a Group Policy issued through your employers.

Someone who is on their own, and has no group to enroll with - is on an 'individual' policy - and the underwriting rules are MUCH tougher - and the costs are, in many instances, astronomical.

As I recall, the poster was on a stipend or subsidy to live in Ukraine and document their experiences. The blog he wrote is an EXCELLENT read, BTW. But unless he has some strong connection to the institution which commissioned his stay in Ukraine and can qualify for health insurance through their programs - he is probably on his own.

At least, that is what I infer from what I've read.

- Dan

[START2]

Yeah, if that's the case then it makes sense. Not only will they require a medical background but an astronomical premium as you say. I do have a group health plan. I pay about $260/mn but the company kicks in nearly $1000/mn. It's one of those perks you just don't see on the pay stub, and many don't consider.

[Photo Guy]

Through my job, I have group insurance- BCBS.  If the new wife has a pre-existing health condition, can she still enroll in the program?

[username33]

  Do you have insurance through your work or is it your own personal policy? 

I have health through my university, where I'm a PhD student. I have a very good health program as part of my status as a fellowship student. To get her on it, it'd cost $462 a month. We were looking for something less expensive. So we went for an individual plan, thinking it'd bridge the gap till she found work -- she's a banker, was in Russia at least. But that route was a no go, as shown above.

I spoke with a health insurance guy yesterday, an insurance agent, I should say, one I've known a while, and he recommended we get her on a six month, short-term plan, even a two or three month plan, because the questionnaire is shorter and less demanding, and by the end of the plan, you've developed an amount of "medical records" that will allow you to roll-over into a longer-term, more comprehensive plan. This is what he told me. I still have to sit down with my wife today and fill out the forms. Will post here if there's another problem, but that seems to be the way to go -- if you're looking for individual health insurance.

[BC]

google immigrant health insurance

[START2]

Through my job, I have group insurance- BCBS.  If the new wife has a pre-existing health condition, can she still enroll in the program?

 I think there are basic questions they ask concerning health history so the best thing to do of course is to tell the truth and answer yes or no. If there was something serious they would know through diagnosis anyway. The questions would be like, do you have high blood pressure.. do you have a history of...fill in the blank..there are many. Even some family history if memory serves me right. I can't remember any collegues spouse/kids not added to the policy.
  If your wife starts work soon, there's usually a 90 day probation period  after date of hire before she's eligable for her own insurance from her employer. That is if she's a full time. Sometimes a higher rate of part-time say 32 hours plus, will give her eligability at a bit of a higher rate. Some emploers even pay you not to take the insurance if you can prove you are covered on another policy like your spouse's policy. It saves them money.