If you’re moving to the United States on an H4 visa, health insurance is one of the most important things to figure out. Medical care can be very expensive in the US, so it’s important to choose the right insurance plan as soon as you arrive.
Health Insurance Options for H4 Visa Holders
As a H4 visa holder, your health insurance options depend on how long you’ve been in the US:
- If you’ve just arrived (0-6 months): You are not yet a resident, so you’ll need short-term visitor’s insurance.
- If you’ve been in the US for 6+ months: You may be eligible for long-term health insurance through your spouse’s employer. If that’s not an option, you can explore private insurance providers.
Short-Term Visitor Health Insurance
Right before you move to the US, you should get a short-term health insurance plan designed for visitors. This covers emergencies and doctor visits while you settle in, and until you can get long-term coverage.
You can get a short-term insurance policy online. Check insurance comparison sites like Insbuy to compare different health insurance plans and purchase directly.
Long-Term Health Insurance
After you’re considered a resident, usually after living in the country for 6 months or more, you have the following options for long-term health insurance:
- Insurance through your spouse/family member. Your family member who has an H1B visa is most likely to have health insurance through their company/employer. In most cases, you, as their spouse/partner/family member, can also be included under the same health insurance policy. This means you do not have to purchase a health insurance policy on your own.
- Insurance from the Marketplace. You can also purchase insurance from the Marketplace at Health.gov, a government-run site where you can find more affordable insurance and insurance plans that follow the Affordable Care Act guidelines.
- Insurance directly from an insurance company. If, for whatever reason, your family member does not have employer-based insurance, then you also have the option to buy any health insurance policy from a health insurance company in the US.
Is Health Insurance Mandatory for an H4 Visa?
No, health insurance is not mandatory for your visa application. However, once you move, it’s highly advisable to be insured due to the high costs of healthcare in the US. According to Healthcare.gov, the average cost of a three-day hospital stay in the US is around $30,000. With insurance, you are better prepared to cover any medical-related costs.
States Which Require Health Insurance for Tax Purposes
While health insurance is not mandatory, in certain US states, you must have a basic level of coverage or face tax penalties. As an H4 visa holder, you do not file taxes separately unless you earn income in the US, so this is not relevant to you as soon as you move. However, if your spouse (the H1B visa holder) lives in one of these states, they (and you) must be insured, or they risk penalties when filing their taxes:
- California
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
- District of Columbia
- Vermont (recommended by the State but not mandatory yet)
The penalties are calculated based on income, household size, and the length of time without coverage. They can be as high as $2,000 per household.
Does H4 Visa Health Insurance Cover Pregnancy?
Yes, in most cases, H4 visa insurance covers pregnancy and maternity care. However, if you’re pregnant or planning to be, it’s important to check your insurance options early. Most private plans do not cover pregnancy if you buy them after you are already pregnant. The best choice is to be added to your spouse’s employer insurance as soon as possible since it usually includes maternity care.
Do I Need a Social Security Number to Get Health Insurance?
Yes, typically, you need a Social Security Number (SSN) to register for a health insurance policy. However, because the H4 visa is a dependent, non-immigrant visa, you do not receive an SSN (unless you get work authorization).
Still, not having an SSN does not prevent access to health insurance. You can be enrolled in your spouse or family member’s insurance, get visitor insurance, or find an insurance company which lets you enroll with only your passport details.