Resident-alien Medical Insurance costs ?

[floridapete]

How do newly (and recently) arrived E2 visa holders get medical insurance cover for their new lives in Florida ? Isn't it very difficult and expensive too ?

I heard that many newbies actually go without any medical cover for themselves and family because of the horrendous costs involved. Is that true ?

Maybe you 'old-stagers' can give the new guys some hints and tips on this subject ?

[Karyn]

I tried and was told that you do have to be a resident here for 2 years before they will consider you.

[JulieC]

You used to be able to use IMG Global, and that is what I used, however they wont now cover Florida so it is problematic. Bigger businesses can get group insurance policies that cover the owners as well as the employees but that wouldnt be an option if you only had a couple of employees.

[floridapete]

So what do you all do ? Nothing ?

Do most recently arrived E2'ers have NO medical cover at all for themselves and family ? Very risky indeed !

There is a firm here in the UK who will provide annual cover for Ex-pats and their families in the US.

Also, don't you have to provide Workers Comp for any employees ?

[charliesmum]

Pete

You need workers comp if you have 4 employees or more. It is a percentage of your payroll and you can exempt yourselves if you are the owners, so you don't count as the workers.

Re medical insurance - we didn't get it for the first 18 months or so that we were here. Wrong I know and to be honest sure laziness on our part as I had friends who got it as soon as they arrived. So there are places that will do it.

We took out a policy last summer, but realised when I wanted to book an appointment that it didn't give me a lot of choice about where to go. So we have just changed to another company that is much better.When I asked about Brits just arriving, the guy said that he can give a discount programme until you have been here a year and then change you on to a policy. I can't remember the name of the company at the moment but I will post it on here later.

We were lucky. In the time of not having insurance, we only went to the doctor about 4 times between the 4 of us, so we obviously saved money there. But the consequences of one of the kids falling off a bike and the cost of a broken bone or whatever, stayed with me a lot. I feel happier now we are covered.

Zoe

[DavidL]

How do newly (and recently) arrived E2 visa holders get medical insurance cover for their new lives in Florida ? Isn't it very difficult and expensive too ?

I heard that many newbies actually go without any medical cover for themselves and family because of the horrendous costs involved. Is that true ?

Maybe you 'old-stagers' can give the new guys some hints and tips on this subject ?

There's no doubt that at first it can be a shock to start paying for medial insurance if you have never had to pay before. There are several good companies out there that are worthy of consideration. The one to choose and type of cover will be dictated by 1)current health status as many players will not underwrite an existing condition for a certain period or indefinately in some cases 2) level of cover & 3) $$. I know of several people who have gone without cover and then needed 'some work doing' which has caused them financial address. My suggestion for anyone moving out here is too budget in at least $5000 per year and upto $10000 per year. I am not aware of you needing to have lived here for a minimum time in order to qualify for coverage. It is a risky play to live out here with no coverage.

DL

[Susie]

Hi David,

Yes and what a shock it was.

But thank goodness we had it!

My son who was 19 at the time, recently had to go to the emergency room and had surgery. The treatment he receieved was second to none, the hospital was like a hotel, staff explained everything and were very kind and caring

The cost of his operation was over $20,000.00, all bills were sent direct to the insurance company but we did have to pay a deductible of $500.00

[DavidL]

Susie,

When we first moved here in Oct 2002 we had to get our daughters jabs upto date. We went into a walk in clinic and the prices we were quoted depended on whether we had ins or not.
There was a big difference. Out of interest, we found that different 'hospitals' charge varying amounts for work like x-rays, CT, MRI's. To give an example, an arm x-ray was $130, but of course then you have the other costs aswell. There's no doubt in my mind that when you start earning in $$ you find that this is not a cheap place to live as many would have you believe.

[JulieC]

I had an accident last year and broke my elbow needing a titanium plate. The cost of the operation to repair initially was over $35,000 though my insurer did negotiate it down. We had a $5000 deductible and $2000 in uninsured expenses, they covered the rest. One thing which is interesting is the principle of subrogation. Because my insurer reckoned I had cause of action against someone else regarding the accident, they would not pay out until I had signed a subrogation form stating that I would sue this other party and refund my insurer the money they have paid out.

[jazzy_diva]

Hi Everyone,

Is it possible for someone to list possible Medical Insurance providers who will insure new expats. I am seriously considering moving to the US in 2009 and there is no way I would want to be uninsured for any period of time. At the sametime I don't want to be ripped off.

Thanks for the information

Susan

[JulieC]

IMG Global used to do this and in fact insured me for my first two years, but dont now sell in Florida so it depends where you are going. I know loads of people who are uninsured, how they sleep nights I dont know.

[Susie]

Hi

We are with Blue Cross, blue shiled

There is a deductable of $500 on any claim and we have to pay 20% of bills

If anyone has a better company could you post contact details, thanks

[NMC2002]

Hey guys,

We are in the middle of the E2 process so would be very interested to hear of any companies that any expats out there are using so I can start getting quotes.

Thanks
Neil

[JulieC]

You may be better off using a broker who has some experience in this sort of thing as he will be able to hunt around for you, save you some time and effort. Can I post details of the one I used, Susie, it is someone well known to some of us if you get my drift.

[fatbrit]

How do newly (and recently) arrived E2 visa holders get medical insurance cover for their new lives in Florida ? Isn't it very difficult and expensive too ?

I heard that many newbies actually go without any medical cover for themselves and family because of the horrendous costs involved. Is that true ?

Maybe you 'old-stagers' can give the new guys some hints and tips on this subject ?

One practical method is to ensure one spouse takes an EAD rather than comes in with the business, and then for that spouse to take a job that offers good benefits.

Many native couples also have to make the same choice on this one.

[Kriz1]

Healthcare is a problem even in a job with a greencard...my daughter is nolonger covered and has no healthcare at work or with us...if my son leaves school at 18 his cover with us goes....in MA we have Mass Health which is like our NHS....my son pays rent so he can get free healthcare...its not so easy for my daughter she lives at home...she will get cover from her work after 3 years....if she is taking ill she will only have to pay a % of what she takes home per year to the hospital...because she is on a low wage....that could be as little as $1k for any kind of treatment....

[lorraine]

Hi myself my husband and son have been here 1 year on L1 visa we have medical insurance with Multinational Underwriters tel: 317-262-2132 we pay $485 a month. I am so pleased we have the insurance we have used it for myself and recently my son had a bad scare which would have cost us around 20,000 our insurance has kicked in every time. We have excellent cover with a $250 deductible once per year. I would not be with out the insurance I dread to think how we would have paid the medical bills. Good Luck

[Bobby]

Good information Lorraine.

We don't have insurance and in the past 2 months, we've had hospital visits for a miscarriage and 2 weeks later an emergency surgery for appendicitis. The only days since I've been here that I wished I was back in the UK!! Bills aren't in yet, but I know it's going to break the bank!

I think if we get renewal through OK, then we'll definitely get insured, by giving your guy a call Lorraine. Thanks

[lorraine]

Hi Bobby I would take insurance anyway you can pay it monthly, god forbid if something really serious happened how would you pay the medical bills. Once you put in for your renewal of I94 you will be waiting a couple of months at least. Also when you take insurance you have to give previous problems, if something happened it would then be impossible to get cover for that condition that you have. The cover we have covers us in every country including the UK it is underwritten by LLoyds of London. One thing we would never be without is the medical insurance we have heard to many horror stories. Plus the stress we all under!!!!!!!!!!!! cant be doing any of us any good. Good luck sorry to hear about your health problems hopefully all behind you now.kind regards Lorraine

[Allan Oakley]

We have been great fans of Blue Cross and Blue Shield till last month. I was then introduced to this organization http://www.nase.org/nase_join.asp
This association uses the buying power of it's 500k + members to purchase health care for all its members that is ideantical and in some areas better the Blue Cross but in our case costs 15 +% less expensive. You are able to custom design your policy to your medical needs. Best of all ANYONE can buy th insurance as long as they can prove they are self employed and their business is registered here in Florida.

If anyone needs their local office managers tel. number send me a message.

[Allan Oakley]

Forgot to mention the medical insurance is provided by Mega Health
http://www.mega-health-insurance.com/index.html

[JulieC]

It isnt easy to get cover for the first two years when you have no US medical history unless it is group cover for the business. We used IMG but they no longer sell in Fliorida. The unfortunate fact is that those who dont get cover for the first two years then forget about it and dont get any at all, after all nothing happened for two years did it and think of all the money saved. This is a short sighted view. A broken elbow cost $25,000 and that is after my insurer got the bills reduced.

[TANNER]

We are LPRs living here since 1996.We got medical insurance as soon as we arrived and had to wait a few weeks for coverage to apply.Managed to gash my heel during that time which cost $900 to sew up.Have been with various companies since then and now have group coverage with Blue Cross through the business.Premiums have risen steadily over the years from $350pm per couple to over $1200pm now.I am 58 and my wife 51.She recently had to undergo major sugery as a pre-emptive measure against breast cancer and the expense of the premiums suddenly seemed very good value for money.The treatment and care she received were first class and we are able to concentrate on her recovery without the stress of financial disaster hanging over us.To anyone putting off obtaining good coverage my advice is do it now.Life is full of surprises so be prepared.

[Dette]

We are with Golden Rule. DH's employers got rid of staff and cancelled our cover with Aetna which was excellent. We had to take a $3000 deductible this time which we thought we would never get close to and DH can't get cover as he is overweight - who isn't?
In March our son broke his shoulder requiring a visit to the ER - total cost to us for a sling, an Xray and a 5 minute consultation is almost $1000.
In April I broke my nose, another visit to ER, an xray, 3 stitches and another quick consultation and we are up at the $1500 mark! I love the fact that it costs $45 to take a pulse! I am in the wrong profession that's for sure.
The follow up visits cost $120 each to be told we were fine, didn't know that already.
I am due to have surgery to fix the broken nose, so we should finally break the $3000 deductible barrier. We are thrilled!

[floridapete]

We are LPRs living here since 1996.We got medical insurance as soon as we arrived and had to wait a few weeks for coverage to apply.Managed to gash my heel during that time which cost $900 to sew up.Have been with various companies since then and now have group coverage with Blue Cross through the business.Premiums have risen steadily over the years from $350pm per couple to over $1200pm now.I am 58 and my wife 51.She recently had to undergo major sugery as a pre-emptive measure against breast cancer and the expense of the premiums suddenly seemed very good value for money.The treatment and care she received were first class and we are able to concentrate on her recovery without the stress of financial disaster hanging over us.To anyone putting off obtaining good coverage my advice is do it now. Life is full of surprises so be prepared.

Well, welcome Tanner ! You "took a while to get here but" (to paraphrase Bonnie Raitt) "you're right on time !"

I am sure that your wealth of experiences will benefit many people on this site if you feel able to contribute.

Sorry to hear about Phalcons problems but please give her our love.

[Richard]

I have been with various companies since we arrived in 1993, but I am looking to change again. I see Blue Cross Blue Shield mentioned several times here, but I have heard that they do not cover you for accidents at work. Does anybody know anything about this?

[Kriz1]

We were on Aetna..now blue cross blue shield...which is a lot cheaper in co-payments...not that I've seen a Doctor for nearly 7 years....just my kids ...we don't pay for follow up visits...and if our Doctor has pill on site they are free...he runs a small cottage hospital...

If you have an accident at work you may have to sue the company..or they may have cover for that...I know our company did...not sure now...

[TANNER]

Well, welcome Tanner ! You "took a while to get here but" (to paraphrase Bonnie Raitt) "you're right on time !"

I am sure that your wealth of experiences will benefit many people on this site if you feel able to contribute.

Sorry to hear about Phalcons problems but please give her our love.

Thanks for your goodwishes,she is on the mend now although it will be some time before she is fully recovered.
I know those who know us have been waiting for us to post as we are apparently a rare species who arrived on an E2 and gained a green card.At the time we were blissfully unaware that this was an unusual route and the whole process was handled by our attorney.We were approved following an application for labor certification-followed instructions-and after a couple of setbacks from technicalities were granted residency.The proceedure was straightforward although protracted-about 4 years from start to finish.I will be pleased to provide our attorney's contact details to anyone who is interested although I would rather not field questions on the minutia of our application as to be quite honest I have forgotten much of the sequence of events over the years and never did have an excellent grasp of detail.Incidentley I am not the only person I know who went from E2 to LPR but these doors may well have now closed.
I wish anyone going through the immigration process all the luck as I know how frustrating and worrying it can be.However if you are successful the rewards are well worth the struggle and we would not swap our life here,our good friends or the opportunties available to us for anything.

[lorraine]

Hi everyone I posted on here a few days ago about Multinational Underwriters. I have just sent my renewal papers in for the next year of cover. I recieved an e mail today saying they will not be renewing my policy. To say I went mad is an understatement. After many phone calls screaming shouting. I still got no where. Originally I took the insurance out through a broker on the FABB site which I joined in Uk before coming here. One of my questions when taking the insurance was what happens in a year, if you have pre existing will it be renewed(as he had told me that you could only have the insurance for a year then you need to go to a Domestic insurance , which we couldnt get a year ago. I was told if you have pre existing you will be able to stay with the company). I have quoted this conversation, (BUT OBVIOUSLY I HAD IT WITH MYSELF AND IT FELL ON DEAF EARS AS NOW THERE IS NO RECOLECTION OF THAT CONVERSATION) My son now has pre existing conditions which he is being treated for and I have no idea how I will now get cover for this. So I strongly do not recomend this company. Kind regards Lorraine

[JulieC]

I dont think sponsoring yourself from your own E2 company is now an easy route. Tanner if at all viable. Many of the things you could do 4 years ago have had the doors shut since. Sorry to hear about Phalcon, she sure does look good for 51 though!

[lorraine]

Hi we have just found out about someone who has just got green card from E2 I shall try to find out how it was done.

[JulieC]

Most common way is sponsorship from someone elses company and then labor certification, or raising enough money for EB5 which converts to greencard. These are the only routes. Self sponsorship by your own company used to be possible.

[lorraine]

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_06_16/us/e2_business_visa.htm check this out it says on here you can eventually go from E2 to green card and this was updated June 2006. (however I have no idea) it says it at the bottom of the article

[Kriz1]

If it were that easy..then no-one would be worrying about being sent home...they would all be sitting at home with their greencards in their hot little hands...

[lorraine]

I didnt see anywhere that is was EASY where did you see that?:)

[Kriz1]

Easy as in could be done without changing visa...are people getting a greencard straight from E2 and not changing to something else...:)

[floridapete]

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_06_16/us/e2_business_visa.htm check this out it says on here you can eventually go from E2 to green card and this was updated June 2006. (however I have no idea) it says it at the bottom of the article

Have you checked out who 'workpermit.com' are ? What are they selling ?

How do you know that THEIR word is gospel ? I don't think it is !

There seems to be a whole load of journalistic B.S. in that article for my money. Now journalists we might excuse due to their ignorance of such a specialist subject - but 'immigration consultants' to whom this information forms the foundatyion of their business relationship with applicants ?

Why would you excuse their inaccuracy on something so important ?

[Richard]

I have to agree with Peter. There seems to be a few flaws in their editorial.

IMHO immigration is one instance of when one should actually use an attorney who specializes in immigration law in a specific country as the immigration laws change so frequently.

Looking at this web site, it seems like these people do not specialize in any particular country. I just believe that getting a visa approved is too critical to entrust it to a non-specialist!

[lorraine]

I did not say there word is gospel ( I did say however that I did not know). You get so many conflicting stories from so many people. My attorney has told me she has never had a client turned down in London when returning from here to have visa stamped..... however others say that people have been turned down.... all hear say from different people. I have just contacted an attorney here (which people have told me has never had a client turned down for green card:confused: ) and he tells me to apply from L1 to green card we need 3 employees one with a batchelors degree??? is this written in stone???? WHO KNOWS:confused: NOT ME thats for sure!!! If I speak with another attorney he will probably say something completely different. I have one friend who got L1 renewal and has no staff, I have another friend who has staff and didnt get the renewal , so who knows anything not me Kind regards Lorraine

[floridapete]

As this thread is now straying off medical insurance and onto visa/green card matters I am going to post another thread headed "Relocation Agencies".

Maybe that will allow this thread to get back to medical insurance matters where it started and which is so valuable to people who need that information..

[DavidL]

We have Golden Rule (part of United Healthcare) and United American as our providers. Can't vouch for their service as so far we have not needed them!

[Bobby]

If anyone reading this thread needs a reason to call a healthcare provider today, let me start you on your way........

We received the bill for the recent 2 day stay in the hospital and appendix removal (without insurance) yesterday.

$34,000

We've already paid the surgeon, the lab and the anesthetist, so this is just the cost of the use of the hospital bed and equipment.

"What price health", we said when it happened.........

What price indeed!

Bobby

[lorraine]

Hi Bobby what a nightmare..... I am just doing new insurance at the moment I have been with company for a year and they now dropped us. We apparently after 1 year have to be with a domestic carrier this apparently is the law in Florida. I had a insurance guy out for 4 hours the other day and he told me that you can negotiate with hospitals even after the bill is sent (not sure if you already know this) he said if you paying lump sum you can get up to 50% off or more. Good luck, we may moan at home about the National Health but at the moment I am thinking it is a fantastic system. We had private health in Uk as a back up to the National Health and it cost us ninety pounds a month. Good luck kind regards Lorraine

[Kriz1]

We have free healthcare for low income families in MA..everyone in work pays in...its doing so well all the benifits have gone up for everyone and even the dentist is fully covered now...the care people get here under it is first class..a lot better than private...

[DavidL]

We have free healthcare for low income families in MA..everyone in work pays in...its doing so well all the benifits have gone up for everyone and even the dentist is fully covered now...the care people get here under it is first class..a lot better than private...

No offence Kriz1, I would rather not qualify for free healthcare if it meant being on a low income. What clasifies as low income? $40k a year?

[DavidL]

If anyone reading this thread needs a reason to call a healthcare provider today, let me start you on your way........

We received the bill for the recent 2 day stay in the hospital and appendix removal (without insurance) yesterday.

$34,000

We've already paid the surgeon, the lab and the anesthetist, so this is just the cost of the use of the hospital bed and equipment.
"What price health", we said when it happened.........
What price indeed!

Bobby

Bobby,

I am truly sorry to hear about this event. I trust that your wife has made a safe recovery?

We pay just under $6k a year in premiums and now and again I think what I can do with that extra money! Your posting does serve as a startling 'wake up' call for anyone that doesn't have any coverage and if this doesn't prompt any readers who do not have any coverage into doing something, then they only have themselves to blame should things go wrong in the future.

[Bobby]

Exactly David!

We are one of those "healthy families" who haven't spent a day in hospital in our lives, and thought we'd take the chance without medical insurance.

Of course some of you reading this without insurance will still take the chance, but I thought I should post how wrong it can go, just in case it has been one of those jobs on your list and you haven't gotten round to it yet.

It was always on our list of things to do, and obviously going through this, our eyes are now WIDE open! and wish we'd been sensible in the first place.

...and Thanks David, she's doing great. She's so healthy in general that she bounced back after a few days, ...so, no need for medical insurance any more eh!! ?? ;) :P

[lorraine]

Hi everyone we are just sorting health insurance out again due to bei;) ng cancelled by our previous insurance after one year as you need to change to american company....... My question is this (friends who are American with their own company have told us to do our own company group plan) has anyone started a group plan for their business and employees???? I have been talking with loads of different companies and getting conflicting stories (obviously) all the time..... Blueshield I have spoken with them direct and 2 different agents who all tell me different criteria etc.... My friends (American) have said that once you have a group plan all pre existing conditions have to be taken on by the policy???? any one know anything about this, has anyone got such a plan for themselves and their staff...... Hope to hear from someone soon as trying to speak with American representatives not easy and getting no where...... Thankyou kind regards Lorraine

[Bobby]

Hi Lorraine,

I have a meeting with a healthcare representative at 10am this morning to ask those very questions.

I'll let you know what she says, and what path we take.

If you can think of anything else in between, I'll gladly ask the question for you.

Regards,

Bobby