How to add my family to my employer health insurance when they arrive from out of the country?

Question

I started working in California, USA. I have employer provided health insurance. My family is joining me from out of the country. How can I add them to my employer provided health insurance.
Thanks

Answer 1

Check with your insurance provider and if you can add them I hope you have a damn good job because insurance ain't cheap.

Answer 2

Normally, you can only add dependents to your policy during the annual enrollment period (for many companies January 1st). However, there is such thing as a qualifying event. If the reason you didn't cover them last year is because they were not living with you, the fact that they have moved here and are now living with you could allow it. There are very strict rules about when you can take people off and on the policy. These rules are set by ERISA and the US gov't since most employer sponsored plans have the employee's contriubtions deducted PRETAX.

You have 30 days from the date of the 'qualifying event' which I would say is the day they move in with you.

Go immediately to your benefits administrator (or HR if you do not have a benefits dept). They should be able to help you.

Answer 3

You will want to have your family insured AS SOON AS THEY GET HERE. If technicalities keep you from adding your dependents immediately to your group plan at work, there is a very useful option - short-term medical insurance.

It is designed for people who need to bridge a short period of time before group benefits kick in. Go to http://www.wavehelp.com/short-term-medical-waiting-for-coverage.htm for some more information. You can get a no-obligation quote there and can buy on-line if you wish. You can specify that the coverage begin as soon as the day after you buy it.

You do not need to be on the short-term medical policy that insures your family. You can stay on the group plan at work and put them on the short-term plan with no problem. When they are COVERED on your group plan, just cancel the short-term plan by calling the insurer. They will send you a card that tells you how to do that.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

Ask your employer. People on line don't have the first idea about the details of your insurance.