Reply to: Contract outside UK - USA and Health Insurance

[jamesbrown]

Same to you and best of luck!

[shabak]

In this case, it’s probably easier to get coverage from a UK supplier. There are short-term plans available in the US but, IIRC, they are focused on people between employers (i.e. very short term) and offer very different/more limited benefits. You could also try with one of the massive international suppliers that cover the US market, like CIGNA. I had them in the US and was always very happy with them, but I was there for much longer than a few months.

I may try CIGNA but they had bad reviews on the net for some reason, we had them in Iraq ( i got card and stuff but never had to use health care so I dont know) - there is also BUPA - from UK. I will call them and ask about - and will update the topic so we all will have knowledge just in case some other contractor would need it ! Happy New Year to everyone and good contracts in 2022.

[jamesbrown]

In this case, it’s probably easier to get coverage from a UK supplier. There are short-term plans available in the US but, IIRC, they are focused on people between employers (i.e. very short term) and offer very different/more limited benefits. You could also try with one of the massive international suppliers that cover the US market, like CIGNA. I had them in the US and was always very happy with them, but I was there for much longer than a few months.

[eek]

You are right but in this case its different, ( I cant tell client but it is defense company that had agreement with agency I work through) - so at the end I will work few months in USA and then we come back to UK - that is the reason I need cover and wanted to know what is recommended by other consultants that had this kind of situation - as someone said - there is for sure someone that had this kind of contract before so I just wanted to get advice. Nevertheless thanks for answer!

When I used to fly round Europe for Microsoft, I was covered by Microsoft's health insurance (which did include seeing a doctor at one point).

I would have thought this was the same here so have you asked your end client how the health insurance has worked for others in your situation doing similar work.

[shabak]

It’s a weird scenario because, like other classes of visa, it’s an employment visa, so there would be some entity other than YourCo listed as your employer and sponsor and they would normally handle your healthcare and payroll too.

You are right but in this case its different, ( I cant tell client but it is defense company that had agreement with agency I work through) - so at the end I will work few months in USA and then we come back to UK - that is the reason I need cover and wanted to know what is recommended by other consultants that had this kind of situation - as someone said - there is for sure someone that had this kind of contract before so I just wanted to get advice. Nevertheless thanks for answer!

[jamesbrown]

Well, I work through my own LTD so I am a contractor. They said I am responsible for my own insurance. I will work through UK agency that provides services to them.

It’s a weird scenario because, like other classes of visa, it’s an employment visa, so there would be some entity other than YourCo listed as your employer and sponsor and they would normally handle your healthcare and payroll too.

[shabak]

Then it’s kinda surprising your employer is not offering you health insurance. What did they suggest when you asked them? Also slightly odd that you introduced yourself as a contractor.

Well, I work through my own LTD so I am a contractor. They said I am responsible for my own insurance. I will work through UK agency that provides services to them.

[jamesbrown]

G visa - (Its similar to NATO visa) - when u work for international organization. G and NATO are the one you get (so it is non-immigrant visa).

Then it’s kinda surprising your employer is not offering you health insurance. What did they suggest when you asked them? Also slightly odd that you introduced yourself as a contractor.

[shabak]

What visa, specifically, that allows you to do productive work there?

G visa - (Its similar to NATO visa) - when u work for international organization. G and NATO are the one you get (so it is non-immigrant visa).

[jamesbrown]

I will not be migrant - it is non immigrant visa. (Not H1B for example).

What visa, specifically, that allows you to do productive work there?

[shabak]

What’s your immigration status?

I will not be migrant - it is non immigrant visa. (Not H1B for example).

[shabak]

Surely this is the same issue every single person from the UK has to consider when travelling to the US so should be very well documented? There were 750,000 people travelled from the UK to the US in 2020. They all seem to have been able to sort it out themselves. Why can't you?

Have you done any research at all in to your options or is this just the laziest post of 2021?

Yes I did - thanks, i did not find a lot of info here - but I searched on my own and posted above. There are few options - but was thinking maybe someone had personal experience with some insurer - look on CIGNA - lots of bad reviews and I remember when I was in Iraq we had them but then nothing really happened so I dont know how good they are (looking at the reviews they suck)...

[shabak]

Thanks for answer, I of course did research, found some insurance like BUPA and CIGNA - but CIGNA has lots of bad reviews. If anyone else is interested - BUPA offers this kind of cover in the range of 300-600 pounds (depends what you need) - anyone had any kind of experience with them?

[BlasterBates]

If you're only going to the US for a few months I would get cover from a UK based insurer.

e.g. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/

[cojak]

So, what’s your status, OP?

(And your contract may not be risky, but your car journey into work may well be…)