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Does anyone know if a fiancee would be covered by any kind of medical insurance on the K-1 visa.

I know that there is some kind of medical insurance that is purchased on a student visa but I was wondering about the K-1.

Also, how might that be affected by my recent marriage.

... in response to K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 24, 2002

Oatmeal,
Sounds like you are in the perverbial "uninsured" window. I agree with posters who recommend you do NOT sign any financial responsiblity for the bills.

Important question:

1. When you arrived in the ER, did you register her under her own name, address, etc...? Or did you register her under YOUR name?

I think this will be the key. If they do not have YOUR information, you should be fine. If they do, I think you may be on the hook. I agree with Jack that the Affadavit of Support may pose serious problems to getting her medicaid now that she's married. If she were still on the K-1 visa, I'm almost positive she could get medicaid coverage. Now, I'm not so sure.

Another thing to consider is this. I don't know your situation, sounds like you may be moving? Vacationing? Whatever, the bottom line is you don't have to pay these bills right away. THe best thing to do is to contact the hospital, Orthopedic group, and Radiology group regarding bills. I'm sure you will be receiving a bill from each entity. Each group will have a billing/collections department for outstanding bills. Inform them of your situation (or whatever situation you wish to create) and make some payment arrangements that will take the sting out of the bill.

If they already have YOUR SSN# and you have signed papers for care with her as your wife....they can destroy your credit for outstanding medical bills. However, if you contact them, make arrangements and follow through, you will be fine. SOmetimes you can also arbitrate a reduced fee with the office. It's worth a shot.

Good luck,
Mark H.

... in response to K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 24, 2002

Even though she's not a tourist you might be able to purchase it for the interim period.

... in response to K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 24, 2002

n/t

... in response to K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 24, 2002

and they added her on the day I called and then told me to update their profile on-line when they got their ssn's.
As for ssn's, my wife's was no problem, but they wouldn't give 1 to Katya. Instead they had me go next door to the IRS and file for a tax payer ID #.

... in response to I have Kaiser, posted by Stan B on Mar 24, 2002

I had a similar experience with my wife and her son.  We went to the local Social Security office at the suggestion of some people in her ESL class after waiting more than four months for her work authorization permit.  SS accepted her application, but wouldn't accept her son's application.  So, a K-1 is good, but a K-2 isn't?  I don't understand this.  

At SS they told me that I needed to file for a taxpayer ID# for him. I did this in mid-Feburary, but we haven't received either the SS# or the taxpayer ID#.  I would like to file the income tax forms ASAP - the government owes me money!

Medical insurance is an issue for us.  I have a good policy through work (state government), BUT (catch-22) they use the SS number as an identifier.  So, no SS, no medical insurance.  My wife's son got sick several months ago and we had to take him to a hospital emergency room.  The bills came to over $2,000.  They were in his name, not mine. I debated stiffing the hospital in my mind, but finally decided to pay for him. I wonder if we are legally responsible for these kinds of debts before they process the AOS. But I figure, if there are any questions about our marriage when the AOS interview comes around, I have a big stack of medical bills to wave at the INS interviewer.  Still, the INS delays in processing our paperwork cost me $2,000 plus.

... in response to Medical Insurance and SS Numbers, posted by ChuckRM on Mar 25, 2002

I can relate to your situation. We asked the same questions at the SS office.

"I could get a SS# for my 3 yo son years ago but not my new stepdaughter?"

"No, she is not work authorized. (Duh???) You will have to wait until her AOS."

"She will still not be authorized to work then will she?"

"No" (I gave up with the government logic.)

So we wait for my wife's SS so I can add her to my insurance. Two weeks, four weeks, six weeks. I have to have that # for her AOS paperwork so I call the SS office.

"Oh, her application was processed the same day and she was sent a card."

"If that's true, why have we not received it in six weeks?"

"I don't know but if you come in we will REissue her one."

"How can you reissue something that never got issued in the first place? I need that number today as we have to be at the INS at 0700 tomorrow with that # and you do not open until 0900 hr."

"Well you can come in today and do it."

"No, I work for a living and besides I cannot leave here, drive for two hours to pick up my wife, and then drive another hour and a half to get to your office. If she has been issued a SS#, just give it to me so I can put it on her paperwork."

"We can't give you her # over the phone because of the privacy laws but if she calls we can give it to her."

"What is the difference, me or her?" (same response)

"How will you know that it's actually her?"

"We'll ask special questions that only she knows."

"I did all the paperwork that you have so I have all the information that you have. In addition, I have the reciept that your office gave us. She doesn't have that." (same "privacy laws" BS)

"So you are saying that you can't give it to me but you can give it to her based on the fact that her voice is higher pitched than mine?" (More of the same BS, I give up and call V and ask her to call the office.)

V calls and they tell her that she HAS to come in person to the office to get her #.

I call back really pissed. Nice lady answers, I explain everything that has transpired and she says "no problem, her # is..."

On the bright side, Blue Cross accepted her and her daughter without a SS#.

... in response to Medical Insurance and SS Numbers, posted by ChuckRM on Mar 25, 2002

our SSN in about 10 days, just like they said. But like you I think I need our daughters tax ID # so I can get back some $$$.

... in response to I have Kaiser, posted by Stan B on Mar 24, 2002

Yo Stan, did you get her TIN yet? I filed a W-7 for Dasha 1/20/02 and haven't heard a thing back. According to the W-7, it can only be submitted to Philly. Is that what you did? What did you send along with the W-7? I sent a photocopy of her K-1 and I-94 with a notarized statement that it was a copy of her original (no way was I going to send off her passport as we needed that for the AOS).

Man, I sure would like to have that number so I can file my return before the big deadline rush. You would think that I would be used to waiting on the Government by now. NYET!!!

... in response to Re: TIN, posted by Rags on Mar 25, 2002

I filed with our local INS office and all they had me do was fill out some paperwork, checked her passport and we showed her our marriage cert. and they said they would send it to Philly and that it would be 6 weeks. That was almost 5 weeks ago, so who knows how much longer.

... in response to Re: TIN, posted by Rags on Mar 25, 2002

I too applied for a TIN for my wife's son on 2/20 at Philly to claim him as a dependent and still haven't heard back. I included notorized copies of about 5 different documents and I sent it certified mail. The IRS says to wait 4-6 weeks so I am not sweating yet. Let me know if you get yours.
Peter

... in response to K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 24, 2002

You should add them as dependents on your existing health policy as soon as you can get a SSN for them.  Unfortunately, there is usually a waiting period before the insurance coverage kicks in.  In that gap period, should something serious happen, don't sign anything at the hospital saying you are responsible for the bill.  The hospital will try to get her qualified for public assistance.

... in response to Re: K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by Charles on Mar 24, 2002

Charles, I was going to write Oatmeal here and tell him I thought your advice to not sign anything making him responsible for the bill was good advice.
I had actually wrote such then erased it as I realized he had just married her and as such, and with the affidavit of support he had signed where he promised that she would not be a burden on the state (or country), wouldn't he now be responsible for her debt and she not able to get public assistance, as outlined by the affidavit of support?

... in response to Question Charles, posted by Jack on Mar 25, 2002

Once you're married, you can put them on your insurance.  Remember, the "Affidavit of Support" executed in connection with the K-1 visa is probably not enforceable.  The I-864 Affidavit of Support that is filed with the I-485 application is enforceable and you would have to reimburse the government for any payments.  The problem period is the time between when she arrives and you marry or are able to put them on your insurance.  What you need to do is when they are getting ready to come to make sure you have dependent coverage on your policy and then you can add them as dependents when they get their SSN's or taxpayer ID's.  You need to close that gap period as soon as possible, but, if something happens during the gap period, I would not sign anything saying you're responsible and would let the government pay for it.  After all, they're the ones that make it so difficult anyway.

... in response to Re: Question Charles, posted by Charles on Mar 25, 2002

If the Gov makes it so complicated then let them carry the burden. If at anytime this creates a problem and the Gov choses to come after you then deal with them. Typically Gov agencies such as the IRS and whatever have programs where you can make arrangments for monthly payments within your means. As for any medical bills that are sent to you, you can make payment arrangments. I once heard that you only need to send 10 dolars a month and they can't do anything, and I also heard that most people and companies don't hold medical bills against you when it comes to future credit needs.
Mike

... in response to Re: Question Charles, posted by Charles on Mar 25, 2002

You are making the assumption that the American spouse *has* insurance, that the new spouse can be add to once the marriage occurs.  While I don’t know how prevalent Oatmeal’s situation is, I know from experience, he is not unique.

The question, then, is how does one get insurance for our fiancé during which they are not eligible for our insurance or when we don’t have insurance.

I don’t have an answer because I haven’t reached the point where I need to buy the insurance.

Does anyone who has already gone down this path have any suggestions?

... in response to Re: Re: Question Charles, posted by Richard on Mar 25, 2002

This is a pretty crappy situation.  

I can afford to pay the medical expenses out of my own pocket but it sure puts a crimp in my budget and all the money I received as gifts for my wedding is used to pay this medical expense.  

Man this sure stinks!!!!:-(((

... in response to Re: True, True....crappy for just a simp..., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 25, 2002

I can appreciate what you have been through.  

I was downsized by a money center bank last fall after the bank merged.  Not only did I have to pay for my medical coverage, but their contractor was slow in processing my payments so that some of visits were refused as though I didn't coverage.  I still haven't been reimbursed for all of my out of pocket expenses.

I also have some friends who carry little or no medical coverage due to the cost of the insurance. That's how I knew you aren't the only one in this situation.

I wish you and Anna all the best.

... in response to Re: Re: Question Charles, posted by Richard on Mar 25, 2002

If you are financially responsible for the support of your fiancee (and any children), I would think that you SHOULD be able to add them to your insurance as "dependants" as soon as they enter the US. However the insurance companies probably don't see it this way, I'm sure.

When I went to add my wife/child to my insurance I was told by the Personel Dept. that they would use the marriage date (12/29) as the effective date however when I got the paperwork from Blue Cross it was listed as the 1st of the month after I filed to add them (2/1). I guess that, until you pay the increased premium, they aren't covered.

... in response to Re:"Dependants" - double stand..., posted by Rags on Mar 25, 2002

That's the same thing I've been told.

... in response to Re: K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by Charles on Mar 24, 2002

But, should she accept public assistance (medi-caid which is half state dollars and half federal dollars) you are now liable as her "sponser" and the forms you signed to prove your income to suppoert her I believe entitles the government to seek repayment of those medical bills from you to Uncle Sam!  Check with an attorney.  Therefore, if you go that route, I think she better consider carefully what name she chooses to register under.  Best solution is get that SSN and get 'em covered under your health plan ASAP.  Most policies will add effective date of marriage as that is usually considered the "event" qualifying them to be added outside of open enrollment times.  Add them to your coverage immediately and give them her SSN as soon as you get it.

... in response to Re: Re: K-1 visa medical insurance., posted by DE on Mar 24, 2002

Unfortunately, I don't even have any health insurance myself.  The current job I have pays only $8.00 per hour and the health insurance they offer is so minimal that it is almost like having none at all.  I think it must be some pathetic attempt to just fullfill some governmental requirement.

I was really more interested in seeing if she would qualify under a K-1 visa.

It is also unfortunate that I have already signed papers accepting financial responsibility.  I did not realize I had a choice of signing or not signing them in order to get treatment.  I was under the impression that if I did not sign them, she would not recieve treatment.

My primary concern was getting her taken care of.

... in response to Re: It is unfortunate, posted by Oatmeal on Mar 25, 2002

Getting her medical treatment when it happened.

You might try and ask the INS if their are any programs offered by companies/sponsor for K1 insurance, etc...  For instance the student visa, I had a polish friend who was visiting the states got a tourist insurance (6 month worth).

... in response to Re: It is unfortunate, posted by Oatmeal on Mar 25, 2002

Some Embassies don't require the sponsership papers and there may be a reason for this. I've read that if you are not married then you can't be held accountable for her ( it is possible for them to come here and never see you ), and the I-134 wont hold up in court because you are not in control of anyones actions but your own. I'm not sure how they would bill her for medical treatment, but if you're not married and she is just here on a visa ??? I would think if it is an emergancy then they would have to treat her. Isn't that some kind of law ???
Mike

... in response to Re: Re: It is unfortunate, posted by Mike on Mar 25, 2002

I remember back in '93 or '94 I was injured and in the hospital for surgery and there was this illegal mexican in the bed next to me and he was recieving free medical treatment.  

Guess who was picking up the tab on that one.  You guessed it....The American taxpayer.  That is what was so terrible that here I was struggling with 2 jobs just to make ends meet and they totally denied me any assistance or help whatsoever (Me, an American taxpayer) and then they just give him (an illegal immigrant) free medical care.  

What's wrong with this picture.  I made just enough money to be just above the poverty line and because I did not have any children or wife or was not a minority, I was refused any assistance.  What a load of crap.

One of the biggest problems with this scene is that medical insurance is so high that the average working man cannot think about buying his own decent medical insurance and must rely on companies or businesses to provide this insurance yet many companies offer sub-standard coverage because in general insurance is just too dang high.

And this all comes back to the cost of medical treatment and why such things as the cost of a simple asprin in the hospital is astronomical.  

My father in the past has saved literally thousands of dollars in medical costs just becuase he argued about the cost of such items.  He was often even charged for services he never received.

My recommendation is that if you should ever have any medical treatment on you or your wife/fiancee, don't be afraid to question or even complain if a cost seems unreasonable or even if you are not sure of a particular item.

... in response to Re: You are right about that., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 25, 2002

If I get severly sick... I know I can go to the VA for a fix-up.

If your still young enough, you should join the reserves and atleast work towards some sort of a retirement system.

As a American, we have the highest standard of living in the world....and with that label, the cost factor is in there also.

You have to live like a Ukrainean to make it in this world.

I personally feel the Capitalistical way of life is flawed and every day we are venturing closer and closer to a socialism, where mamonth companies buy up the competition and hence you really don't have much of a choice.

Watch when the HP and Compaq merger goes through, how many Compaq employees will be laid off and how the director will get a pat on the back and another bonus.

... in response to Re: This is why I am a veteran... VA, posted by wsbill on Mar 25, 2002

I joined back in 1982 did my 3 years ( wasn't so easy, had to serve in Beirut and grenada ) and now I'm good to go if anything bad happens to me, and I've used the VA here in the past and I have no complaints about the service.
Mike

... in response to joining the Marines sure was worth it!, posted by Mike on Mar 25, 2002

But now their service is on par with the rest of the medical community.

Though, I wouldn't recommend anyone join the Marines just to get the benefits.  But you do have to serve on active duty some 180 days.

They've got a pill program that rocks, just $2 a bottle, reguardless what pill you take.

... in response to Re: I agree they use to be the butt of j..., posted by wsbill on Mar 25, 2002

I agree the Marines would be the last place to go to if your just wanting the security of health benifits for the rest of your life! I joined as a young man because I liked the uniform and knew nothing about the military. Boy was I in for a shock! I will say having this now behind me was something I would never change if I could do it over. The fact that I was a Marine still brings me pride to this day, and what I learned about myself was priceless.
Mike

... in response to Re: I agree they use to be the butt of j..., posted by wsbill on Mar 25, 2002

one of the stupidest things, in my mind, that I ever saw, was some women B!tching that he husband got called up to active duty and sent to Dessert Storm.  She claimed that when her husband joined the reserves, he just wanted a second job, that he did not want to join the Military and go to war!

I'm criticizing the woman, not the military.

... in response to And you may be sent overseas, posted by Richard on Mar 25, 2002

It was alot of fun turning a wrench on the FA-18's in Key West (March 10-23, doin my 2 weeks).  Though, I was actually handing another guy a wrench which he was a turning it.   My shop supervisor had been to Croatia and knew about Russian Women... (small world), ha.

The shop workers told us... Don't get this guy talking about Russian women or he'll never shut-up... ha ha. Then, my buddy chimed in and said a word or two about me going off to Ukraine last year and that did it.

For all you taxpayers out there I did get some training on how to start the F-18, which we did turn.  Really simple to start, thank god for those digital read-outs on watching the EGT, RPM and Oil pres.   Pretty slick airplane...

You'd be surprised if you visited Key West.  There is a large Czech community and a small russian one.  Just go to any resturant (TGI Fridays, Dairy Queen, etc...) and you'll hear those sweet accents.

... in response to Re: You are right about that., posted by Oatmeal on Mar 25, 2002

that the employers who buy the insurance think it is better than the employees who use the insurance do.

I was once employee number 4 of 5 max at a company. During the interview I asked about the medical coverage.  One of tgeh owners told me it was excellent insurance, he had just used it to cover a hospital stay.  Well, when it was my turn to go into the hospital, the insurance company denied my claim based on a preexisting condition clause.  (They could do that at that time.) For the record, I had no lapse in medical coverage between jobs.