in need of advice - immigration

[dan205]

Hello,

I am in need of some direction here. I am in the midst of trying to move to the US. I am positive. I know the ban against hiv+ persons was lifted but I just discovered that my status may still be an issue if i am not covered by health insurance through my petitioner. Is this correct?

My petitioner dones not know of my status and I do not want to disclose my status. Is there any way around this?

Additionally, how does insurance work? I have been trying to research online but it is losing me confused. Is there a plan that is best for hiv+ individuals?  Is there any insurance company anyone recommend I contact for advice?

[Miss Philicia]

By petitioner should we assume you mean employer? Your employer will most likely provide private insurance as part of your benefit package. You should inquire if this is so, and if so it's safe to assume that your HIV needs will be met with such insurance.

If it's a large corporation they will have a human resources department that will provide you with such information, and will tell you what private insurance they provide, etc.

[dan205]

My petitioner is my brother. He does not know of my status.

[mecch]

Maybe 3 actions to clarify what will happen
1)  I know the ban against hiv+ persons was lifted but I just discovered that my status may still be an issue if i am not covered by health insurance through my petitioner. Is this correct?
I don't know. Why not ask the US Embassy?

2) What state will you move to? 
2a) contact an HIV/AIDS Service Organisation in that state for information and referrals.  Or contact social services of the city you will be moving to.  What options do they suggest for insuring you?
2b) look up the insurance exchange ACA - Affordable Care Act - if there is a state wide exchange. If your destination state does not have one, then you would look at the national ACA exchange to see if you can afford to buy your own insurance. 

3) Are you going to the states unemployed?  With or without funds? If no funds, return to actions 1 and 2 to see if you can do this move realistically, based on your resources.

[geezlouise]

You are not required to have health insurance until you receive your green card. Also, there should be no issue with your HIV status. Civil surgeons no longer test for it and it only becomes a problem if you're so sick that the US believes you might become a ward of the state.

http://www.uscis.gov/archive/archive-news/human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-infection-removed-cdc-list-communicable-diseases-public-health-significance