[Military Momma]

We just got the verdict as to whether my husband and I can adopt via NSN from China. They will not approve us because my husband is over the 40 BMI but I am alright. Anyways, I am really not clear and will call the agency tomorrow but from the e-mail I received from them, it sounds like we could adopt from China under the SN program.

While this is not "out of the question" it amazes me that we could qualify for a more "rigourous" commitment that would be for a SN child than a NSN child?

Just bummed but look at the brighter side of it. Maybe I'm supposed to adopt a SN child from China? Just frustrated and don't know what to do.

Those that have adopted SN:

1. What were the "parameters" that you had and are currently dealing with?
2. Did your health insurance cover any surgeries they needed or did you pay "out-of-pocket"?
3. What was your wait time for processing?

I just want to make sure I'm informed about what to do. Move forward or look at another country.

Thanks for you help in advance.

[Arador]

For awhile now it seems that China is slowly moving towards SN referrals more so than NSN referrals. Maybe that is part of why the NSN wait is over 3 years now.

Hmmm...I thought the only thing they would bend the rules for SN is the number of children already in the home and maybe age of the parents (older not younger). I thought everything else you had to adhere to the May 1, 2007 rules. I know we got stuck under that with no exceptions (DH had a previous marriage and we were not married quite 5 years so we had to wait an extra year before applying). Your agency should be more clear on your situation. If they are vague in their response, then look at another agency. Maybe one that deals with different countries?

Wait time for SN depends on what your family feels comfortable with and what you are open to as far as gender and age. The most requested are infant girls with a small, correctable need and therefore are probably the longest to wait for. However, if you are open to an older child (some are even healthy they are just older) or a boy or multiple needs your time could be less.

Insurance will always be a problem - esp. in this economy - their goal is to make money not spend it. Check your insurance plan(s) now. See what deductibles you have, etc. Just assume that there will be many phone calls and fights with them (I am totally dreading this part). However, you may have a SN child with a need that doesn't require long term care or a lot of operations, so I would think insurance would be minimal.

That being said adoption is a strange and always unpredictable trip. We started NSN then switched to SN and were surprised with a young girl from the shared list in January that we are hoping to pick up in May. As we are with a large agency we were expecting at least another year. So it can happen.

Good Luck.

[MissyAmomChina]

Hi,

I could be wrong here, but I didn't think there were any different standards of parental requirements for SN vs. NSN. Meaning, I've known several people who do not qualify under the May 2007 rules and they couldn't pursue either option. The only thing I *believe* I've heard of is a deaf parent being able to adopt a deaf child.

I hope I'm wrong and a SN adoption is an option for you. Good luck.

[mdaisyq]

The weight requirements are the same for NSN as for NSN.

Please, please, please research this further with the agency before you commit to sending them any money.

The only stated difference between NSN and SN is the age of the adoptive parents, with 54 (55?) cutoff for SN, though there have been a few waivers for children about to age out of IA. There is also more flexibility for SN if you have more than 4 children living in the home.

[KarenInCa]

When we adopted our first daughter, she was covered from the first day we adopted her in China, and we were never questioned by the insurance company about her health prior to adoption.
Call your insurance company. Ours has a clause that children born to us, or adopted are covered, upon birth or date of adoption. We did have to place her on the insurance policy within the first 30 days of adoption though, or we would have had to waited till the next year to add her to the coverage.
I too would want to make sure this information that you would still qualify for SN is directly from CCAA to your agency about your own family, and not just an assumption.

[ElectricGypsy]

I agree with Melissa here. I wouldn't send the agency any money or make any commitments until you check things out further. I have heard they will make exceptions in regard to NSN vs. SN if one or both of the parents shares the SN that the child has, but I have NEVER heard of BMI being an exception. It just doesn't sound right.

My daughter is SN and from the research I did with insurance, there is no such thing as a "pre-existing" condition with an adopted child. Your child should be covered from the date of adoption. As for the "out of pocket", there are some issues that you should consider such as the deductibles and what insurance you have and I would suggest that you also do your own research for your own peace of mind.

I have Kaiser and one of the issues that I had which was a pain was that although they considered my daughter covered from the date of adoption, they would not issue her a membership number or a card until they received the letter from my company stating that she was my dependant- which would then take a certain amount of time for processing. On the other hand, my company wouldn't send me the paperwork until the adoption was finalized and we were back in the country with my daughter. Because of this, there was a delay for a couple of weeks in her coverage since I couldn't get it all taken care of while I was out of country. Granted, her paperwork was retro'd, but in the meantime, I wanted to bring her to the doctor for a check up right away for her vaccinations and just to make sure everything was ok--all of this I had to pay out of pocket. The doctor understood this and only recommended the shots that she needed immediately so that I could wait the amount of time for my insurance to get taken care of for the more everything else that we much more costly. Kaiser would not reimburse for any expenses during the processing time, but some insurances probably would...or might not even have the processing time that Kaiser had.

[Military Momma]

Well, I just wanted to update everyone as to what the agency said. Here's the low down. While we do not qualify for NSN because my husband is overweight and the rest of the requirements are FULLY met, CCAA has told the agency that we would have to be pre-approved before we can move forward. Since the agency has an office close to the CCAA offices, they can get answers pretty fast. Anyways, If we find a child that were are interested in via shared list or in-house list, they will send us the medical, we would then take that to a doctor to make sure we can handle the SN of the child. Then if we accept, the LOI would be sent for pre-approval for the child. If CCAA accepts, then we can move forward with payments and such. At least this is what I've been told.

While this is fine, we are also going to look at other countries that don't have a weight requirement. We meet everything else no problem but just my husband's weight. Mine is fine. What a hassle huh?

Thanks for all the responses and I will keep you informed about what we decide.

Here's to your adoption success!

[mcanvasback]

Honestly, I do not mean to be rude or flippant - but wouldn't it be easier to have your husband lose some weight?

i know how difficult that can be, believe me but for something so important..........

[Military Momma]

I hear you. I have altered his diet by giving him less on his plate and healthier foods. We've also enlisted the help of a nutritionist and personal trainer for him. He is also working with the Bodybugg program (from "The Biggest Loser" show) and it seems to be working for him. He is losing the weight but in order for him to lose the weight in a "healthy" manner, (2 lbs a week) it would be over 10 months just to get him to 200. He is big boned and has a stocky structre to begin with and he's only 5 feet tall.

If and when he loses the weight...then the process can begin. so we are looking at a possible 4 year wait to bring our DD home. Our son would be 10. That is just too much of an age span as we are looking to adopt 4 years or younger.

Anyways, just wanted to explain that we are doing something about his health. We want to be around for our kids.

[jbzanie]

I don't believe the requirements are different for SN vs NSN. We adopted prior to the rule change (switched from NSN to SN) - that said I have asked now if we could adopted again - I don't meet the weight requirements and our large agency (use to be china only) said that we could not adopt again. They have never heard of a BMI exception made and I am pretty confident that they are telling me the truth.

I'm working on the weight thing but we are really not ready to adopt again until our youngest is 4. (he is now 2)

Your paperchase includes things that are China specific (consulate authentication) that unless you are willing to loose the money I wouldn't move forward.

[mcanvasback]

Originally Posted by Military Momma

I hear you. I have altered his diet by giving him less on his plate and healthier foods. We've also enlisted the help of a nutritionist and personal trainer for him. He is also working with the Bodybugg program (from "The Biggest Loser" show) and it seems to be working for him. He is losing the weight but in order for him to lose the weight in a "healthy" manner, (2 lbs a week) it would be over 10 months just to get him to 200. He is big boned and has a stocky structre to begin with and he's only 5 feet tall.

If and when he loses the weight...then the process can begin. so we are looking at a possible 4 year wait to bring our DD home. Our son would be 10. That is just too much of an age span as we are looking to adopt 4 years or younger.

Anyways, just wanted to explain that we are doing something about his health. We want to be around for our kids.

I know it's hard. I have been trying to lose the same 30 lbs for a year. Have you thought about a low carb diet for him? (ie South Beach or Atkins)That worked so, so well for my husband (and other men - not so much for me!) I know it's not the healthiest way to go but my husband dropped 50 lbs in just over 2 months!

I wish you the very best, however it turns out.

[hoping2adopt1]

It is easier said then done isn't it to loose weight. Most of us women are still trying to loose weight from our third baby,lol. I heard its the third one that gets yah. I heard the fastest way to loose is through a colon cleanse product like Acai berry mixed with a natural colon cleanser. My parents had me when they were much older, I was their baby of 18 kids. Dad died when I was a teenager due to his weight and other health issues. It's only fair to try and be around for the child. Sounds like you two are doing all the right things, but he must do this for himself first, not just for the child or you. I pray for the best for your family. My husband and I are qualified for everything but I think our income. We have 4 kids, and he brings home around $70,000 a year, before taxes, is that enough to qualify for China?, or will I have to look somewhere else?. I wasn't sure what they meant by $80,000 net assets? could that include your home that you own?. someone please explain this to me, I am new to all of this. thanks

[KarenInCa]

Hi,
It's my understanding that agencies want you to have 10,000 per person-per year income. In your case that would be 70,000 and it is gross not net. They will ask for your past two years (or three-depending on the agency) tax returns.
As for the assets, you can use the equity in your house, cost to replace your current furnature/computers/jewelry/clothes/house accessories/collectables. For most people, it's a list worth noting, but usually attainable.
Our agency did not ask to see insurance quotes for all of the above. They went by what we wrote down on paper.

[hoping2adopt1]

I wanted to thank you for answering my question. I take that as a yes then for me. I thought this was my biggest obstacle, now I just have to figure out how to come up with the funds. I know if God wants a child to have a home He will make a way. Thanks again, and God Bless you for adopting again.