Inbound Immigrant Medical Insurance

Product Review

Inbound Immigrant Insurance is not Obamacare

Unlike the policies known as Obamacare, Inbound immigrant Insurance is not based on legal immigration status. Applicants using the new Health Insurance Marketplace must provide some personal information, including immigration status, to verify identity. Although federal officials use the information only to determine if a person is eligible for coverage, those who do not have legal residence typically avoid applying for federal programs. Inbound Immigrant Insurance is not issued through the Health Insurance Marketplace so there is no need to provide immigration status to federal officials.

Coverage, Benefits and Limitations

A summary of coverage, limitations and exclusions is available from the quoting link. If you wish to submit comments to be incorporated into the review, please e-mail us. We appreciate your feedback.

Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST

Inside of the United States: 1-800-335-0477

Outside of the United States: 0-317-575-2656 (Collect)

For a Medical Emergency | 24 hours a day / 7 days a week

Inside of the United States: 1-800-690-6295

Outside of the United States: 0-317-818-2808 (Collect)

A sample certificate of coverage is available for educational and discussion purposes only; it not meant as an actual description of your issued policy.

Pros

Guaranteed issue; no medical questions.
The price is affordable; typically about $100 per month.
Includes maternity coverage benefit of $2,800. While this will not cover the full cost of maternity expenses, it is a benefit that is not included in other similar policies.
Short look-back period for pre-existing conditions.
Private insurance enables access to the U.S. health care system. Without insurance, immigrants experience major difficulties obtaining appropriate medical care, according to a June 2011 article in the Stanford Journal of Public Health.
This is a good gap insurance for those with pre-existing conditions until the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan becomes available.

Cons

Maximum coverage is $50,000 or $100,000 depending on age of the applicant.
No coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Not available to U.S. citizens who are returning to the U.S. after living in another country.
Initial enrollment must be made during the first two years in the U.S. and coverage can remain in force for up to five years (apply for one year at a time).
Coverage expires after the policy has been in force for five years.

Forms in PDF format for download

All available forms can be found by following the quote and enrollment link above.

Summary page

Sample Certificate of coverage

News

October 13, 2013 - I clarified that the estimated 68,000 undocumented immigrants in Kern County California are eligible for this coverage. This is considered a travel type insurance for recently relocated people and is not affected by Obamacare or immigration law.

April 18, 2012 - Policies are now issued for a maximum of 364 days (formerly 365) in response to new government requirements. Coverage may still be renewed to a maximum of five years total coverage. A national Preferred Provider Network is now available. Click here to find a Provider. The U.S. PPO list is web driven and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

March 21, 2012 This article on the difficulties and risks of bringing an immigrant's parents to the United States.

October 2, 2011 - This research abstract and accompanying video finds that health insurance is a critical cause of differences between immigrants and non-immigrants in access to primary care.

September 14, 2011 - The Better Business Bureau warns of scams targeting immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. The article posted at http://www.bbb.org/us/article/Immigrants-Jammed-in-a-US-Citizenship-Scam-28491 includes references to consumer protection materials written in Spanish as well as a list of reliable resources of guidance for immigrants.

July 15, 2011 - Long term coverage of immigrants is still a major problem. A July 2011 report by Rutgers Center for State Policy said that 70% of the adults not born in New Jersey had no health insurance. The trend could likely be extrapolated to the rest of the United States except Massachusetts where a special Medicaid program is  available to immigrants and health insurance is required by law.