Possibly moving temporarily from Europe to the USA, any advise appreciated

[alberche]

Hi there,

Due to a job offer (not yet concreted) I might be moving for 6 months up to 1 year to the States (maybe TX or FLA). Should I be hired in the US for a company there (and not expatriated but with a job contract formalized here), how could I ensure I will get healthcare and access to treatments? Is it possible suscribing an insurance being previously poz?

Tks 

[buginme2]

Most employers in the US provide health insurance.  If a company hires you, it should be a part of the job offer.

There are no pre existing condition limitations on insurance.

[BT65]

Hi Alberche,

Thanks to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions.  So, the answer is, yes, you could obtain coverage.  One of the stipulations of the law, however, is that a person must be a US citizen.  But if your employer offers insurance, you wouldn't have to worry about that.

What I would do is to get in touch immediately with the nearest Aids Service Organization and let a case manager at the agency guide you through the insurance process, and help you find the solution most appropriate for your situation.  That's one of the reasons they exist.

Good luck!

[Jmarksto]

Betty;  First of all, congratulations on your new moderator position - I have appreciated your posts and perspectives and welcome your "moderation".  Thank you for your support to the forums -- I really do appreciate it.

With regard to this thread -- while I do believe there are citizenship/legal immigrant status requirements for some elements (such as tax credits, etc.) of the Affordable Care Act, my understanding is that the basic insurance requirements (such as eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions) apply to all citizens and lawful immigrants. While this may be a fine distinction, it may be an important one for Alberche.  I will admit that I am not an expert on this topic by any means.

I would suggest the first step to clearly understand the health insurance plan being offered by the employer.  It is pretty customary for job applicants to ask about health insurance details when negotiating employment so any inquiry would not be out of the ordinary.

I wish you the best Alberche in your new endeavor,

JM

[mecch]

Please consider this: many Employer sponsored health plans are inadequate and insufficient to make HIV care and drugs affordable.  As are, they say, some of the ACA plans. So I would HIGHLY suggest you take Betty's advice and get in touch with an ASO where you are heading to.

One thing I have picked up as an expat in Europe. Europeans can be thoroughly unprepared to understand the costs and the access to two things in the USA - medical care, and higher education.  You can explain the facts, but sometimes it doesn't sink in because it is so fundamentally different.

[BT65]

Jmark, the reason I said that is because in my former position as a case manager at an ASO, I have a little experience with insurance for people w/ HIV.  Previous to my leaving, we were having to have people sign insurance apps for the new ACA insurance.  Indiana State Dept of Health is covering their costs/co-pays.  So, that applied to all clients except the ones who could not prove their citizenship.  Those clients had to stay on adap/eip.  That was not a requirement of ISDH, but a requirement of ACA.  So, if the OP is thinking about this, I would be very, very thorough in checking it out prior to moving and thinking he could transition easily.

I agree that talking to an employer about insurance is a normal part of the "interview" process.  But be sure to check out the employer's policy.  And, I don't know about the states the OP is planning on relocating to, but sometimes the state's adap will cover co-pays, premiums etc. from another insurance.

I just don't want to see the OP move here, thinking he can easily get insurance, and then be shit out of luck.  So, please thoroughly investigate the route you, (OP) are considering taking before moving. 

[Theyer]

I know off two people  working in N.Y.  , who have continued with there treatment base in London , its not perfect for them and the need for emergency care, has to be planned for but it so far has worked for them .

[alberche]

Thank you all for your useful and complete answers!!!

I will ensure and get more information on all this prior to any decision making.

We have the same doubts and issues when moving from one European country to another, due to the public healthcare systems are very different and, even though there are agreements between countries and, theoretically, your national healthcare system will cover you in the rest of EU member countries, in fact, many people living with HIV and moving to another EU country experience difficulties and bureaucracy to obtain healthcare.

I will let you know in case of any news,

Thanks again!!!!

 

[Cpt.Mauzer]

Hey alberche, going by what i read online (this website offered the most concise information) it sounds like you will be offered the same benefits as citizens in regards to your access to healthcare.

http://www.nilc.org/immigrantshcr.html

That said, the enrollment deadline is quickly approaching (if not already passed), so i am unaware if you would have to wait till enrollment opens up again (i would assume in november/december like it did this year). 

Sorry I can't be more precise 

[alberche]

Dear Cpt.Mauzer,

Thank you very much!!!!, I will check this site also!

Best regards,