It is a little bit sophisticated situation, therefore I'll price the
question $100 for the beginning but can increase up to $200 or even
add another $100 tip if we can reach a solution and find a healthcare
provider with your help. I'm a H1B employer, sponsored by a company to
become their technical manager, carrying their health and dental
insurance since 2003. My wife has the dependant H4 visa.
I'll resign on Feb 28 and they already offered and prepare the Cobra paperwork.
On the other hand we'll file our greencard petition trough EB1.
At the beginning the provider was United Healthcare than they switched
to a PPO plan, Performax(myperformax.com) with Multiplan.
We're planing to have a baby in following months and we experienced a
miscarriage 3 months ago(baby was 6 weeks). Reason was not quite clear
and doctors assured us that it's very common and there is no reason
that we can not have a baby. Especially after these 3 months we
spend...

We live in Bayonne, NJ, for the next at least 6-7 months I'll not be
able to work as I'm bound with the H1B visa and can not work for
anyone till we get the working permit from the greencard application.
We have enough savings to survive but every penny would count as we'll
have an addition to our family.
We're non-smokers, wife has 28 dental crowns just done in Europe successfully
I'm 37, wife is 39, we don't have any pre-existing conditions...
So, my question is:

Since Cobra is quite pricy, about $900 every month, we need to find
alternative solutions which would cover maternity too. Co payments can
be up to $50-$60 but maternity in the first is is a must. I on't mind
to have low coverage, higher co payment in order to get better
coverage for her...
We thaught about charity or other walfare options but it is going to
be walking on thin ice as we have to show INS that we'll not get any
walfare while waiting for the greencard. If it's not an issue, we
don't mind using charity or welfare or share the cost as we're talking
about $10K a year.
I did some research and found out that actually, with H1 or any other
non-resident alien status we can get quite competetive health/dental
insurance under the tourist or similar plans, but couldn't find any
reliable provider covering maternity in the first year.
We taught about having the baby with Cobra as soon as we can than
switch to an individual plan, but again it means at least 9K if it
happens in the next 9 months and then individual plans are not quite
cheaper too.
We need a long term or a transition plan for at least a year or
renewable every 6 months which would cover us including maternity,
preferably with dental. We have to deliver the baby in the US because
after filing the greencard petition we can not leave the country.
As I mentioned in the beginning if we can find a solution, meaning any
health insurance up to $500 covering both of us, mainly my wife, that
would be perfect...
Thanks

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 23 Feb 2005 07:58 PST

Hi orenaz,

I'm alittle confused by your statement, "for the next at least 6-7
months I'll not be able to work as I'm bound with the H1B visa and can
not work for anyone till we get the working permit from the greencard
application."

Do you mind if I ask why you are quitting your job? Are you aware that
you can keep working on your H1-B while your application to become a
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) is being processed? Also, it is
possible to transfer to another company, if that is preferred. I'd be
happy to post the details if you'd like me to.

Regards,
hummer

Hi orenaz,

Ok, here you go. Global Citizen covers maternity with no waiting period. 

"Global Citizen plans offer comprehensive benefits and a range of
deductible options that allow members to select the right amount of
insurance coverage for their budget and lifestyle. All plans cover the
following benefits (no waiting period required):

    * Inpatient and outpatient diagnostic and surgical facilities
    * Professional services
    * Maternity and well baby care
    * Mental health conditions
    * Preventive screening tests
    * Outpatient prescription drugs
    * Accidental dental
    * Acupuncture and chiropractic care 

QUOTE
Bayonne NJ 07002
Starting March 1
Your Quote:  $534.97 per mo ($3,209.82 for 6 months) 
Your Quote:  $534.97 per mo.($6,419.64 for 12 months) 
http://www.buyamericaninsurance.com/hth/globalcitizen/individualhealthinsurance.jsp

I was glad to find this for you. If you have any questions or if this
turns out to be unsuitable for you, please post a clarification
request *before* closing/rating my answer and I'll be happy to reply.

Thank you,
hummer

Search Strategy:
I searched every insurance company that I could find.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by orenaz-ga on 23 Feb 2005 16:00 PST

hummer-ga,
Thank you very much, I appreciate your your prompt respond, to clarify
as I mentioned in my comment below, the employer breached the contract
and all of a sudden after 8 months of employmenr decided not to pay my
salary and overtime.
Therefore after long legal battles, we settled down and they pushed me
to resign. Well in a situation like this I did not have any intention
to stay anyway, altough I had to spend half of the settlement money in
legal fees etc and remaining for EB1 petition I'm walking away on Feb
28th.
I'm aware of the transfer to another company, actually there is one
possibility but always trying to prepare for the worst.
On the other hand if after leaving my recent job, I can not transfer
within 30 days it would jeopardize my status and I would face
deportation if INS denies my EB1. I can say I'm aware af all the
remifications inside out about immigration, thanks to mentalities like
our friend below, new immigrants has 10 times worse to deal with. I
think we all have to remember that except the Native Americans, we are
all immigrants who build or still helping to build United States...
Altough a siqoux saying referring to the US Flag goes like "Hearts are
better than starts"

---

Request for Answer Clarification by orenaz-ga on 23 Feb 2005 16:08 PST

Hummer,
I'll call Global Citizen first thing in the morning...
If you can locate any user opinions I would really appreciate it.
Hopefully it would fit, if I only knew it, I would do it months ago...
Because of this nasty settlement, I paid the $900 from my pocket for 6
months. Which was the extension time I requested to stay in status (in
their payroll) while preparing for EB1.

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 23 Feb 2005 18:57 PST

Hi orenaz,

Ok, good, I'm glad to hear that you have the immigration issues well
in hand. I was a bit worried that you were leaving employment
prematurely.

I haven't been able to find any comments about Global Citizen, but the
PPO it uses is Beech Street. It looks ok.

"For healthcare services inside the U.S., Global Citizen and Global
Student Health customers have access to Provider Networks from the
Beech Street Corporation, the oldest independently owned Preferred
Provider Organization (PPO) in the United States. Established in 1951,
Beech Street has been a full-service PPO since 1984. During the past
five years, Beech Street has consistently been recognized as being one
of the top three PPOs in the United States. Its networks include more
than 380,000 providers, 3,500 hospitals and 50,000 ancillary
providers."
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/gl_health_sec/ghs_providers.cfm

Beech Street:
http://www.beechstreet.com/

Will look forward to hearing from you after your phone call - I hope all goes well.

Good luck!
hummer

---

Request for Answer Clarification by orenaz-ga on 25 Feb 2005 10:07 PST

Hummer,
I didn't forget you, had a hectic day yesterday, to make both ends
meet, I had to finalize the EB1 petition before the 28th and company
probably forward my leave to INS right away, lawyer urged me to file
the EB1 before the that day...
Anyway, I called a rep, she answered all my questions that I think of,
there is even a possibility to lower the cost as I can get a better
plan for my wife and a cheaper one for myself, she said combine or not
it does not effect the price.
I'll try to sign up today, give them a call back before initiate
online payment, it was interesting tough when I asked should I follow
the instructions at the web site and sign up or can you help me
choosing my options, she said you can proceed with the web site, it
gives you all options and explanations. Don't know good or bad, at
least interesting, as most insurers chase you for days to sign you up
and dissepears afterwards...
You should hear from me at the end of the day if not tomorrow.
Thanks again

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 25 Feb 2005 15:56 PST

Dear orenaz,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply, but I've been out all day
and have just gotten back. Thank you for the update - I wasn't worried
as I figured "no news was good news". It sounds ok so far, I just hope
it's not too good to be true.  Take your time and be careful, as in,
*read the tiny print*!

I'll look forward to your next update,
hummer

---

Request for Answer Clarification by orenaz-ga on 25 Feb 2005 18:18 PST

Hummer,
Do you mind to help me out, I am a little suspicous as you wrote,
"Take your time and be careful, as in,*read the tiny print*!"
How about giving them a call or checking their online sign up
procedure as if you're me and purchase their insurance? You have all
the details you need here in this page, if you want I can forward you
any other detail you want, email you if private information needed.
I would prefer you to check it out because I never did such a purchase
before, we'll commit a one year term insurance, it is a big deal not
only money wise but because we'll try to have a baby too...
I would really appreciate as you are the expert and examine them in
much much deeper way that I can not even come across, I'm adding a tip
of $40 and will add another $60 if we'll go for it.
You might consider to check if it's better to sign the wife with
better coverage, less or no deductible and our of pocket but for me
take a mid range or cheaper plan. Rep said having 2 separate or 1
combined would not change the final total, meaning if we sign 2
identical plans or 1 the very same plan as husband and wife, that
would be the same price...
Also they mentioned somewhere about Tax Advantages in the U.S. and
roll over of unused funds. I didn't quite understand what it means but
if it's going to save us money or means advantages I would use it too.
Here is the text from the same link you sent to me:

Global Citizen 1000 Plan Creates Tax Advantages in the U.S.
The Global Citizen 1000 plan is designed to allow members to
contribute to a personal Healthcare Savings Account. Contributions are
used to defray costs not covered by the plan and unused funds
roll-over for future use. Please consult Internal Revenue Service
rules for HSAs. Healthcare Savings Accounts are available from HTH
Worldwide Bank and feature a debit card that can be used
internationally.


I'm sorry for adding more weight to your shoulders, but I have so many
things going on with EB1 petition, resignation, all their paperwork, I
would rather you as an expert to look into this with a clearer mind.
It's really one of those days when you forget your cell at car and
tear down the whole house for 2 hours, curse yourself when you hope in
for groceries.

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 26 Feb 2005 05:14 PST

Good morning, orenaz,

I'm sorry if I've caused you to worry unnecessarily. I only mentioned
reading the fine print as a general precaution we should all take
before we sign anything. There was nothing about Global Citizen or
their PPO which sent up alarm bells.

Once a question on GA is closed (rated), it is "signed, sealed, &
delivered", so to speak. The rating or tip cannot be adjusted, either
up or down. By closing a question, the questioner is indicating that
it has been answered and he needs no further assistance. That said,
although I have expertise in some areas, evaluating contracts is not
one of them and so even if you hadn't closed the question first, I
wouldn't have been able to perform that task for you.

Thank you very much for the tip, I appreciate it. I hope Global
Citizen works out for you because finding another provider with no
waiting period for maternity will be difficult - I was very happy when
I finally found G.C. 8-)

Here's hoping all hums along smoothly for you and you'll both soon be
American citizens with a beautiful family.

Sincerely,
hummer

---

Request for Answer Clarification by orenaz-ga on 03 Mar 2005 10:29 PST

Hummer,
I don't know what is going on but now that I tried to sign up, they
told me that this insurance is not available in New Jersey...
Well, I think we have not suffered enough that we have to go trough more.
If you have further information I would really appretiate it if not
I'm afraid I have to ask for refund from Google answers as the
information you gave is not correct.
Sorry...

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 03 Mar 2005 10:43 PST

Hi orenaz,

Do you mean you tried to sign up online or by phone?  If via online,
could you please try phoning?  As I recall, NJ is definitely included.

Please don't refund yet - let's see what we can figure out...
hummer

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 03 Mar 2005 10:52 PST

I just tried it online and now I'm getting a new message about NJ -
that definitely didn't happen last month! Ok, hang on, I'll see what I
can do - hummer

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 03 Mar 2005 11:20 PST

Have you tried NJ Family Care?  It would be worth a call to explain
your situation (legally in the U.S. since..., petition pending).

NJFamilyCare:
http://www.njfamilycare.org/index.html

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 03 Mar 2005 18:47 PST

Health Care Access for Immigrants and Refugees
A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH CARE IN NEW JERSEY
http://www.accessproject.org/downloads/NJ.pdf

---

Request for Answer Clarification by orenaz-ga on 03 Mar 2005 20:02 PST

Hummer,
You can not possibly imagine how frustrating and dissapointing this is...
I was so happy and planned everything accordingly, applied online the
error came, NJ N/A, called them and they said NJ is not in the plan.
Buttom line my question is not answered.
I'm aware of the links you sent, NJ family care and New Jersey
Immigration Policy Network. They don't apply to my situation, mostly
informative web sites and NJ family care is only for children under
18...
My question is specificly a heatlh care plan, covers the maternity
first year, under $600, now that the answer you gave does not cover NJ
I don't have answers, and I received the answer not "last month", just
4 days ago, after your final respond on Saturday Feb. 26th I tried to
apply online on Wednesday March 2nd it gave the error and I called
today they said NJ is not eligible...
Sorry

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 04 Mar 2005 04:42 PST

Dear orenaz,

I can well imagine how frustrated you must feel, especially since you
know that NJ was not banned when I posted my answer and when you
called them.

 - I posted my answer Feb 23:

 Answered By:  hummer-ga on 23 Feb 2005 11:02 PST 

 - At that time, I received this quote when I used the NJ zip code 07002:

QUOTE
Bayonne NJ 07002
Starting March 1
Your Quote:  $534.97 per mo ($3,209.82 for 6 months) 
Your Quote:  $534.97 per mo.($6,419.64 for 12 months)

- I checked and double-checked your eligibility as I'm sure you did
too, and NJ residents were eligible:

Eligible Participants
"To be eligible for the Global Citizen health plan, Eligible Participants must be:
    * Age 74 or younger at the time of purchase
    * Residents of the U.S (either U.S. citizens or foreign
nationals), living in one of the following approved states:
      Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado,
District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi,
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, West
Virginia, Wyoming"
http://www.1travel-insurance.com/international_health/global_citizen/eligibility.html

- You called them on 25 Feb 2005 and all was well:

"Anyway, I called a rep, she answered all my questions that I think of,
there is even a possibility to lower the cost as I can get a better
plan for my wife and a cheaper one for myself, she said combine or not
it does not effect the price."

I'm really sorry that you chose to contact IHI rather than sign up for
GCH, but  that is something you decided to do on your own, not under
my advisement.

Sincerely,
hummer

I'll give the full rank, 5 stars as soon as we reach to the result...

Wow...Somebody actually contemplating paying for their baby through
the police power of government. I love that people actually are
allowed to spend money that was taken at the point of a gun from
others by the government on themselves...on a baby nonetheless. I have
a crazy idea and it goes like this. You pay for your baby yourself
without the welfare you mentioned and let me keep the money that I
earn.  In return, I'll do the same.

I don't know what you had been trough as you should not comment
without knowing what we had been trough... The employer breached our
contract, I end up paying $15K legal fees to dispute, waited 6 months
for Labor Dept to react, paid all my taxes, education fees, did my
share of charity when I was earning my own bread. In a situation where
you loose your employment, your status, become countyless, you become
desperate looking for any kind of help. This is what we had been
trough, a miscarriage as a topping, now spending our last life savings
to survive this coming 6-7 months until we get greencard results.
Which by the way we spent 13,000 to apply. My first tax payment, as
soon as I got the H1B was flat %33 of all my income?
Don't worry I'll pay as much as I can for my baby myself, without any
welfare, it would be our last resort and you can keep your money you
earn. But also remember when you loose your job, the biggest source of
your unemployment money comes from the H1B employees. And none of them
have any social security right, no unemployment coverage or anything
even close to your coverage as a US citizen. I'm from a family with
ancestors fought in the same Korea, Yugoslavia, Iraq wars, did my
military duty in a US base, which every male in the age of 20 in my
country has to serve for at least 18 months. Now after paying all my
duties which I'll may be never able to use the priviliges like
unemployment or social security, I appretiate your humanitarian
thoughts and wish you'll have tons of money which you'll throw away or
better yet keep for yourself and show of in boards like this to
ignorantly try disgrace people who they are, you have no idea about...

Hi orenaz,

I sympathize with you, being in your present situation. 

I have discovered this web site that may be of some benefir to you.

http://better-health-insurance.com 

Here you will find the best books about better Health Insurance
quotes, direct links to Health Care sites and many links to
information centers where you will be able to compare health Insurance
quotes.

Regards 

ozepro

Thanks for your nice toughts and assistance ozepro,
I visited the site, I'm sorry to critisize but such a crowded page,
one can loose even what he is looking for, it has over 25 links to
other web sites, and in the second page where it directs you "World's
best resources on getting better Health Insurance quotes" it gets
worse as I gave up at that instant when saw all over 60 size 6 font
links squeezed in one page.
I'm really sorry, I don't have a clear mind at the moment to go over
with each and every page to compare and find one who covers maternity
immediately, has no or minimum deductible and less than 1000 out of
pocket ability...
That is wahy posted this question and I'm hopeful with the answers
we're getting there.
I really appreciate your semphaty...
Sincerely,
orenaz

expats only, www.ihi.com , i had 2 babies in u.s. with it, my husband
had stones taken care of in jakarta with it, never a problem, about
$1400 a year per adult, children free, only pay for general checkups,
sounds too good - but it is.

patri99,
It really sounds to good to be true...
I'll check it, do you still have the same insurance?
If so which plan was it?
Thank you so much!

we still have it.  i haven't worked for a company since my 1st baby 5
years ago, & my husband has his own company, so this is the best
option for us.  just do the math, so that the deductible & the annual
payment are the least out of pocket. (i.e. a lower deductible doesn't
mean you pay less.)  we have the "gold" or 'silver", whichever is the
best.  you can't skimp out on your health coverage when its just
couple hundred or so more.  good luck.  i hope it works out for you. 
the reps in the u.s. provide excellent service.  but if/when i don't
get a quick response, i'll contact the main office in denmark.

patri99,
What can I possibly say!
You'll be in our prayers, hopefully it will work with us, we're not US
Citizen as explained in the post above, but from what I read in their
web site, it doesn't quite matter, I send them a quotation request.
5 years is a long time and since you had 2 babies, I think that is
enough for us to proceed. Actually an Europian provider may be a
better choise for us as we're from Europe too, it may mean coverage
when we decide to return indefinitly or visiting...
God bless you, I'll post an update as soon as I hear from them.

patri99-ga,
I received an answer from ihi, they are not covering for maternity,
have a 1 year waiting period.

Sorry it didn't work out for the pregnancy.  It is, otherwise, great
insurance, to date.  And especially for travelers.  Can I be in your
prayers anyway??? Good luck & I'll continue to ask around.  Another
option -- a friend of mine had her pregnancy at home, with a mid-wife.
 Hospital care was never needed (although she had herself covered just
in case.), so the bill was incredibly low!  Also, you should not be
considered "hi-risk" pregnancy.  (i.e. over 40 yrs old, other factors
a mid-wife would go over.)  Considering I had a completely natural
birth, both times, (no medication), the bills were astronomical!  If I
didn't have insurance, I think I would have gone that route, and
continue to take sonograms (those aren't solely for
hospitals/doctors!) to track the pregnancy with the experienced,
well-researched & well-recommended mid-wife.  Otherwise, expect
sometimes seemingly uncaring nurses, rushed drs, & a $6k-$10k bill,
which is nothing compared to the miracle in your arms!