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I split this topic from the original thread, to ger more responses.

In our situation, my husband has a job waiting for him in the States at the US branch of his current employer. We've made sure that we'll have medical insurance there. The plan before that, when we thought we were moving over without immediate income, was honestly to just wing it. To pay out of pocket for those things we had to have done - until he found a job with health insurance. And since everywhere he'd work would offer insurance, it would have just been a matter of time until he found a job. If he couldn't find one, I could get a job - even working at Barnes & Noble you get health insurance - - - so we weren't really worried about it.

Being ill without health insurance is a real pain in the butt, but it doesn't mean you'll go without care. When my mom first contracted cancer she didn't have medical insurance, and they managed to get it sorted out through payments and special programs etc... so it isn't the end of the world to have a short period of time without coverage.

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I'm sure a lot of people *have* lost their houses through medical fees when they didn't have insurance, but not all people. My mom's current rounds of chemotherapy cost $13,000 each treatment, and she is getting 10 of them. That's $130,000 that she doesn't have - AND they have no health insurance. Yes they pay a lot each month, but their hospital has set them up on a payment plan. They know perfectly well that they aren't going to get $130,000 out of my paretns, so they will take what they can get - and my parents are happy to give as much as they can. I'm sure a lot of people haven't been able to work out agreements in similar circumstances, but I can name an awful lot of people who have.

Also, every job I've ever had gave me health insurance immediately upon hire. Every single one. I'm sure, again, that there are jobs out there who don't offer it for the first 90 days, but saying "most" - I think - is an overstatement.

Just to balance the scales, I have never had a job that offered coverage immediately.  All but one have been 90 days as you mentioned.

Have you tried calling insurance companies in the US and getting rates on coverage, until you find a job?  You could get an emergency insurance policy and then pay for smaller stuff (regular doctor's visit, prescriptions, etc.) until one of you gets a job.  That may be your cheapest option.

Have you tried calling insurance companies in the US and getting rates on coverage, until you find a job?

We've got insurance straight away... and I think Squirrel was asking hypothetically. And I suppose I've been really lucky with all of my jobs concerning their immediate health coverage... !

We've got insurance straight away... and I think Squirrel was asking hypothetically. And I suppose I've been really lucky with all of my jobs concerning their immediate health coverage... !

You have been lucky, Sara.  And then even when I had jobs where health coverage was an option - eventually - it was priced such that I couldn't afford it, being a single (at the time) mother with 2 children to cover as well...

Ours will be a slightly different twist, and the main concern of our impending move. We don't plan on working right away as we have budgeted for awhile to be unemployed. DH wants to semi-retire as the house will be paid for in cash. So as a bridge, I will have to independently find health insurance........for a pre-existing illness- DH's diabetes. Anyone been in that circumstance? (I fear one of us will have to work at least part-time at a job that offers health insurance from the get-go in order to afford it...ugh)

That will be fun, too - finding a part-time job with benefits that include health coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Can I suggest 7-Eleven?    (I know you think I'm joking, but when I worked there 1999-2000, they had an amazing health care plan.)

Actually, given we are moving to a small casino town, I've seen classifieds for part-time jobs at a local casino that offer not only health insurance, but life and dental........its an idea (given there are no 7-Eleven's there......

As with any trip we'll have travel insurance to cover us up to a certain date and while we're covered by that we'll apply for a more comprehensive US based healthcare plan and pay the monthly premium until we're working for someone.

Makes sense, MarsBar! Thanks for the input!

There are tons of health care plans to cover all sorts of things.  You can pay 300-400USD a month for a fuller coverage plan for your family, but they do have tons of plans to cover catastrophic things like cancer. Most people don't buy these plans because most people don't think about things like that while healthy.  The one thing is that in cases of life threatening circumstances you will NOT be denied care due to not having insurance.

If you are below the poverty level there are programs to provide children with healthcare.  Also once you are nice and wrinkly and crinkly as they say.  GA for children has instituted PeachCare to help combat the numbers of uninsured children.

I for one did not have coverage from the age to 24 when I lost my military benefits to age 30.  Part of that time I was living abroad though.  Most jobs do have a 90 day benefits waiting period now and many companies are opting to not have part time benefits packages.  You can find places like the ones Marles worked for you just have to search harder. 

I for one do believe that there is a need for universal coverage of some kind in the USA and we do have it in the form of the military and the VA hospitals.  So it does prove that the USA is capable of running one.  Granted it is filled with inefficiency like many government run programs but for the most part it is effective.  My father is still alive and kicking and has the lastest and greatest in medical care thanks to the VA. 

Still that is not the point of this post to go on about what I think should be done, but to let people know that there are options in the USA, but like many things you just have to find a way around the system and be able to grasp what you can and cannot afford.

Hopefully more and more people will work to lobby Congress to assure that people who need care get it.

I do think the idea of having travel insurance would work in the short term.

health insurance policies can be customized to fit your needs; just contact one of the major companies. i know several people who have very high ($5000) deductible policies; basically for major catastrophes to be covered.  if you and hour family never go to the doctor, this may make sense, as you pay a much smaller premium. i'm not sure about pre-existing conditions, or what type of care your husband needs so this may be a moot point.......

At least for now, all that is required is a couple of doctor's visits and lab work a year, and that is just so he can continue on medication. I've been gone awhile now and was on an HMO before I left that I paid co-pay for prescriptions. I know I probably won't have that option so that will be our biggest expense, short of the premiums...although my mother gets hers through a wholesaler type (via mail) and it is significantly less (but again, since she's on Medicare, not sure if that will help us).... oh well, have months to sort this out before the big day, but it sounds like I better start some homework now!