A potential client recently contacted me about their spouse being unable to obtain health insurance in Michigan due to her H4 dependent visa status.  The question came after being denied for coverage.  I’m often asked do I need a social security number for health insurance?  Click on the previous question to see our blog post regarding this matter.

In Michigan, BCBS of Michigan is one of the few carriers that still offer maternity coverage.  Not only that, they offer health insurance on a guaranteed basis.

Unfortunately, you must have a social security number in order to get coverage with BCBSM.

If maternity coverage is not a deal breaker, then you do have options for health insurance coverage with an H4 Visa.

Assurant Health offers coverage if you’re currently on a dependent H4 Visa.  If fact any type of visa.  Keep in mind, if the visa is due to expire in 6 months they are ineligible.

Some questions that you will need to answer:

1. How long do you plan on remaining in the country.
2. Are you able to read and speak english.
3. If medical record are are youable to provide them in english.

Give us a call at 888.320.5388 to have your questions answered.

Do you have stories about your experience obtaining health insurance with a Visa.  Please feel free to share them in the comment box below.

Originally posted 2010-10-15 11:42:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Last year BCBSM (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan) requested approval to increase rates in Michigan by more than 70 percent.  The rate hike would affect about 400,000 BCBS members.  Including around 209,000 seniors who have supplemental Medicare.

So the rate increase may or may not affect me.  Why the requested increase?

BCBS MI justified the request by claiming projected losses in the individual health insurance market would be close to $210 million.   Over three years up to $1 billion.  According to a report from BCBSM released, the loss on individual under-65 insurance plans was $94 million and $186 million on Medicare Supplemental (Medigap).  Thats a total underwriting loss of $257 million.  While overall BC/BS MI posted net income of $12 million in 2009, no company or non-profit can sustain itself long term posting large losses.

What does BCBSM have to say?

According to BCBS the reasons for the individual medical losses were familar:

The state’s broken regulatory system will continue to drag down financial performance in the individual market until a fair and balanced system is put in place. The current system allows out-of-state for-profit insurers and nonprofit HMOs to reject unhealthier and costlier-to-insure applicants in the individual insurance market. BCBSM accepts all applicants, regardless of their condition or cost. BCBSM had a $280 million underwriting loss in its individual lines of business in 2009, including $94 million in its individual under-age-65 products and $186 million in Medicare Supplemental (Medigap).

Why Health Care Reform May Help

Michigan has been unique in that we had a preview of what guaranteed issue health insurance looks like.  As a non-profit.  Blue Cross of Michigan is required to insure those with pre-existing conditions.

Health care reform will level the playing field.  Out-of-state health insurance companies will eventually be required to accept all conditions as well.  With this requirement will bring rate increase adjustments.  The increases will bring rates in line with what some Michigan residents would say are uncompetitive rates from BCSBS.

Due to name recognition and their long history of insuring Michigan residents, BCBSM stands to benefit greatly from these changes.  As well they should, considering they have had to compete in a market with one hand tied behind their back.

Please comment, we would love your feedback.  You can find us on Twitter:  MichInsurance or ask us questions related to health insurance anonymously at Formspring:  MichInsurance

Image Courtesy of bgcr.org

Unknown to many a Michigan sole proprietor, BCBS of Michigan offers One Subscriber Group health insurance (OSG).  That’s right if you are a solopreneur, you can get individual group health insurance coverage for one.

To qualify for individual coverage you must be either a sole proprietorship (One Subscriber Group) or as an employee of a company who is the only person (Group of One) that needs health insurance coverage.

What the heck is a One Subscriber Group (OSG)?

Best defined as an individual who is a sole proprietor or owner (shareholder) of a Michigan based business.  You must be a Michigan resident.  You do not have any eligible employees who work on a full time basis with a normal work week of 30 or more hours, who do not contribute towards any heath insurance coverage.

That’s fine, How about Group of One?

A GOO or group of one is an employee of a Michigan based company who works on a full time basis with a work week consisting of 30 or more hours and is the only person in the company who is seeking employer paid health insurance coverage.

What kind of stuff do I need to qualify?

Great question.  If you are a OSG / One-Subscriber Group – Sole Proprietor with only one eligible subscriber / owner you need the following:

• Group Enrollment & Coverage Agreement
• Enrollment Application
• Group Underwriting Roster
• Tax Documentation
• Copy of Proprosal
• Check for first month’s premium

For a Group of One ( GOO )

• Group Enrollment & Coverage Agreement
• Enrollment Application
• Group Underwriting Roster
• Federal Tax ID Number proof (must be printed)
• Copy of Proposal
• Check for first month’s premium
• MESC Wage Detail Report for most recent quarter (must be signed by owner)
  • If business is new – a detailed payroll is required
  • If business is new and has no payroll – W4 (s) required for everyone (including waivers)

If you have questions or require a copy of the required forms please contact us at broker[at]mymichiganhealth.com or toll free 888.320.5388

A list of carriers that we represent.  Click on the company name to read more and to get a quote from a specific carrier.

• Aetna
• Assurant Health
• BCBS of Michigan
• BCBS of Texas
• Celtic Michigan
• Cigna
• Golden Rule
• HealthPlus of Michigan
• Solo HAP
• Priority Health
• UnitedHealthOne
• UniCare