H1B Health Insurance

While not federally required, health insurance is strongly recommended due to the high cost of healthcare in the US. Additionally, some states (like California and Massachusetts) require residents to have insurance or face tax penalties.

Your work will likely offer health insurance as part of your benefits package. The way enrollment works is different for each company, but it is usually handled by the HR department. You may be offered different options to choose from, or the company may pre-select the plan for all employees. To enroll you in health insurance, HR or a benefits administrator usually needs:

• Your full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number (SSN) (or temporary placeholder if pending)
• Visa type and start date
• Home address in the U.S.
• Dependent info (if you want to cover spouse/kids)

This is often the most affordable and comprehensive option since the cost of the premium is divided between the employer and the employee.

The one downside to this type of insurance is that if you lose your job, your insurance will end.

If your work does not offer health insurance, you can enroll in a plan yourself through the ACA Marketplace (the online platform run by the government where you can compare and enroll in health insurance plans). In the Marketplace, the available insurance plans are approved by the Affordable Care Act.

Note: You can only enroll in the Marketplace during the Open Enrollment Period (November-January).

Plans sold in the Marketplace are also referred to as “on exchange”.

You also have the option to purchase health insurance directly from private insurance companies or through licensed brokers. These plans are often referred to as “off-exchange” plans because they’re sold outside the official ACA Marketplace.

One of the main benefits of off-exchange plans is greater flexibility. You can find a wider variety of plan types, including those that offer dental and vision coverage. You can also customize the coverage level and premium to better fit your budget.

Some off-exchange plans are ACA-compliant, meaning they meet the same coverage standards, but not all of them do, so make sure to check the details carefully.

• Plan pays 80%, 70% or 50% until out-of-pocket max is satisfied, then 100%.
• Available up to age 64.
• Two options available – Secure STM and Secure Lite.
• For Secure STM: Plan pays 80%, 70% or 50% until out-of-pocket amount is satisfied, then 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
• For Secure Lite: Plan pays 80% or 50% until out-of-pocket amount is satisfied, then 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
• 10 day free look back period, cancellation request must be sent 15 days prior to next monthly payment.
• A $25 application fee applies.
• Not Available to Residents of: California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

• Available up to age 64.
• Two options available – Connect STM and Connect Lite.
• For Connect STM: Pays up to 80%, 70% or 50% up to out of pocket maximum, then covers 100% up to Policy Maximum.
• For Connect Lite: Pays 80% or 50% up to out of pocket maximum and then 100% up to the policy maximum.
• 10 day free look back period, cancellation request must be sent 15 days prior to next monthly payment.
• A $25 application fee applies.
• Not Available to Residents of: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington.

• Available up to age 64.
• Plan pays fixed benefit amounts for these covered situations.
• Covers for only defined Critical Illness, Hospitalization & Surgery.
• 10 day look-back period, no refund available after that.
• Optional Coverage for preventive wellness, diagnostic testing and physician office visits.
• A $25 application fee applies.
• Not Available to Residents of: Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.

If your spouse and children are coming with you to the US, you can include them in your health insurance plan as dependents. See more information on health insurance for H4 visa dependents.

That depends on the insurance policy. It may begin on the official start date or after a waiting period (typically 30 to 60 days). Certain benefits, such as maternity care, may begin after a waiting period, even if the rest of the benefits are covered immediately.

If your health insurance is tied to your employment, if you lose your job, the insurance typically ends. You can look into Marketplace options or even short-term plans if you’re still staying in the US.

Yes, if your health plan doesn’t include dental or vision, you can buy them as standalone plans. Most Marketplace plans won’t cover vision and dental for adults, so you will have to look into private insurers or brokers.