Insurance benefits for infant with L2 visa

[bikashmohanty]

Hi,
I have recently moved into US with L1 A visa. I have a 11 month old kid who was born in India. She also moved to US along with her mother with a L2 visa.
I would like to know if the infant can avail insurance benefits without a SSN number.
I would appreciate a response.

Thanks in advance

[immihelp]

Contact your employer to enroll the whole family in their group health insurance.

[kabkaba]

SSN is generally required. But you can apply for ITIN for the child and use that.

[immihelp]

ITIN can only be applied at the time of filing tax return which will be next year for him.

[mickey_mouse]

ITIN can only be applied at the time of filing tax return which will be next year for him.

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/General-ITIN-Information

You can apply for an ITIN any time during the year. However, if the tax return you attach to Form W-7 is filed after the return's due date, you may owe interest and/or penalties. You should file your current year return by the prescribed due date to avoid this situation.

But it's a moot point:

IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for a SSN who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty needs an ITIN.

Insurance uses SSNs as a way to track & coordinate benefits. The healthcare provider CANNOT deny coverage just because the wife (or kids) of a temporary worker doesn't have an SSN - just call them and tell them your kids are foreign-born and don't qualify for an SSN.

And every time you go to a new doctor you will have an interesting conversation with the admin, about why you cannot complete the SSN field . . .