[carrie2adopt]

I'm in a tight spot. I know that I have to provide health insurance for my child. But, is it necessary that I have it? I own a business so I have to provide for my own insurance and because of a minor pre-existing condition, no one will insure me (which is nothing really at all, but you know insurance companies...one little hiccup and you're out). I've tried many companies and all say no to insuring me. Will this keep me from adopting? I'm so afraid I've already reached the end of the adoption road and I haven't even begun yet. I know I can get insurance for my child...but I'm wondering if I, myself must have it? Thanks.

[Bassette]

I am also uninsurable and it didn't cause a problem at all with my homestudy. The rest of the family is insured and the SW completely understood my situation. She didn't even ask for proof of my insurance decline,...just trusted my explanation,...which I might add she didn't ask for.

[delaware1]

My first SW wanted to see my insurance card, but I'm not sure what would have happened if I didn't have one.
I work in a family company, and we only have three people in our group. When I tried to add my daughter to my insurance, my premium was going to go up over $500 a month, so I ended up buying her her own coverage at a much lower price. I found the company over the internet, and so far they've paid any claims they are supposed to pay.
good luck-
Kathleen

[Pick Me]

Your lack of health insurance should not be a problem for you getting insurance for your child. In addition, a lot of states have plans for uninsured children (i.e., in the event your child was deemed to be uninsurable, for example).

(Not directly related to your question, but a lot of states also have plans for adults who are deemed to be "uninsurable".... I did some research on this for a friend who is a THREE time cancer survivor.)

[smr67]

As part of our homestudy, we had to sign an Affidavit of Health Insurance to prove that we had family health insurance that will cover the baby when he comes home. We are self-employed as well, so we understand the burden of this. We simply bought an individual family high deductible plan which is more affordable. I am not sure if this is an agency requirement or maybe a state requirement (Pennsylvania). Hope that helps.

Suzanne

[carrie2adopt]

Thanks. My issue isn't in finding health insurance for my child...it's in whether or not I personally need to have medical insurance. My child is a given and I know I can easily get insurance for her. My problem is that I'm not "insurable", but I am looking into pools for myself. Just wondered if I could complete the adoption with health insurance for my child, but not for me.


Thanks to all who responded, I really do appreciate it!

[marie2005]

Hi, Carrie, our homestudy has a statement that we have comprehensive life, medical, dental, and disability insurance. I don't know if it was "required". As part of the I-600A application to CIS, they ask for proof that your child will be covered on your insurance when they enter the U.S. This is hard to come by even when you are insured. I took our evidence of coverage booklet and highlighted the statement that an adopted child would be covered. They took that. Though really, how do they even know if that's my actual insurance company? So, in your case, you might have to provide a letter from a prospective insurance company that they would cover your child. BTW, I am probably uninsurable too if I applied independently - luckily we are under my husband's employer's group coverage.

[annaguat]

We had to have a letter from our insurance company that the children are covered upon completion of adoption. I think you might not need to have insurance but will need to prove your child has it. Can you ask your social worker? anna

[kady2004]

No one asked us directly, we had to complete an affadavit saying that once we returned home our children would have health insurance but that's all.... sounds like everyone has a different take, but most don't seem to worry as long as the kids are covered.

[kcbailey777]

I didn't and still don't have insurance for myself.
When my daughter came home I got coverage just for her. It cost $179.00 a month.

I hope everything works out for you also.

Lisa

[PattyR]

I did not have insurance when I completed my initial home study. The social worker simply put in the report that I would obtain health insurance coverage for my child upon completion of the adoption. This seemed to satisfy the USCIS office and I received my 171h approval.

BTW----you might keep searching. I initially had trouble locating an insurance company that would insure me at a halfway reasonable rate. I finally asked some of the insurance companies that were so high if they knew of a company that offered reasonable plans for individuals not covered by group insurance. Turns out they referred me to BC/BS for our state and they offer very reasonable individual plans. So thankfully, now my children and I are all covered. And thank goodness because my youngest has been to the Emergency Room 3 times since his arrival in August. He has a tendency to run really high fevers which scare his mommy.

Patty