individual health insurance

Very well respected company on island. However, unless something has changed recently, it is not possible (at ANY price) to get individual health insurance in the VI. I talked to Carl Gotts, and others, about it a while back. It will be available eventually, we hope!

it has to be available soon ( 2014 ) according to the new oboma health care plan

I got Blue Cross Blue Shield, using my Texas address. Have a state side address you can get mail from? Try that. It's skirting the rules, but works. My agent came up with that idea. _

I got Blue Cross Blue Shield, using my Texas address. Have a state side address you can get mail from? Try that. It's skirting the rules, but works. My agent came up with that idea. _

Of course the agent came up with the idea he/she still gets the commission. Just wait and see what happens if you have to make a big claim - it will be denied because of providing false information. I have seen that happen here.

For business owners, I noticed that the St Croix Chamber offers a group plan. Any one have experience with this?

I got Blue Cross Blue Shield, using my Texas address. Have a state side address you can get mail from? Try that. It's skirting the rules, but works. My agent came up with that idea. _

Of course the agent came up with the idea he/she still gets the commission. Just wait and see what happens if you have to make a big claim - it will be denied because of providing false information. I have seen that happen here.

It's my previous address before moving down here just months ago. And the address BCBS had in their systems from my temp coverage about a year ago (expired 6 mnths ago). I don't foresee any problems. I can clearly say I got the insurance before moving down -- no stipulations that requires me to actually live in TX at the time of claim.

I had a BCBS agent in NC tell me the same thing when I owned property there. He said as long as I have an address where my bills, etc., can go, AND I don't start filing TOO MANY claims from the VI, it would not be a problem. I opted not to take the chance. Insurance companies like to deny claims anyway. Didn't want to give them a legit reason to do so.

Amedex ( I think it's now called Bupa) had individual plans.

BUPA (British United Provident Association) and Atlantic Southern Insurance Co. were the two carriers offering individual health insurance in the US Virgin Islands. Although both carriers are renewing their existing policies, they are not accepting any new clients.
One alternative we are recommending to our clients is a small group policy with United HealthCare Insurance Co. UHC will provide coverage for businesses with as few as two employees. We can count a husband and wife as the two employees as long as both actively work in the business or are officers or partners in the business entity working at least 30 or more hours per week.
You can request a quote or further information at our website.
www.InsuranceVI.com Carl Gotts

IMO, any time you lie to an insurance company, you are begging for trouble.

Linda, do you carry health insurance? Did you get it in the VI?. Let's say you were afflicted with a chronic disease and the medication to control it costs nearly $40K per year. Would that have an influence on your opinion? What are some alternatives to maintaining a stateside policy? Just curious.

Bombi,
Not to ignore any disease or affliction anyone has, but Medical Insurance premiums are based on the area and the state you live in. If you are a registered voter and full time resident in the USVI the stateside insurance carrier can refuse to pay any charge for services you file a claim for. The insurance Company can file a fraud complaint. Be careful!

If you have a valid residence in the state that the medical insurance company insures you and you do not registered to vote or change your drivers license and leave the island every 179 days for 1 (one) day you are good to go.

Lizard I am totally aware of the law but what is one to do? Sure I could probably get SSDI but then I would be on the dole and any earnings would be limited. I'm trying to be productive and experience a satisfactory quality of life. It sounds like you must be all set in the insurance area, good for you.