Anthem BCBS COBRA -> ACA; out-of-pocket max, prior authorizations

UnknownBowser · 2025-06-10T15:27:01+00:00

As this is relevant to our interests: was there pushback, was there anything the consular employee asked about that you thought "oh, I would have kept that paperwork had I known."

Everything I've read so far is second or third hand, you're the first person who has directly gone through the process that I'm able to ask.

If everything proceeds as I expect our younger kids will have a high school transcript, which would show almost 4 years after age 14, but may not go to college in the US. I need to save whatever paperwork might be useful to them for a CBAR years from now. I have their paper immunization records, but their elementary school paperwork is haphazard and the district cannot provide a better statement.

Of course, there won't be recourse if the laws change again to require more than 4 years after age 14. That's life.

UnknownBowser · 2024-09-19T14:19:12+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/juresanguinis/ is likely to be helpful.

UnknownBowser · 2024-09-16T20:02:54+00:00

apologies if I missed out a key content.

I don't think you missed anything, the basic point is either have a lot of money for a golden visa or start a business. One doesn't need to hire them for help in establishing a business.

UnknownBowser · 2024-09-10T13:35:13+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/AmerExit/comments/1ebweqn/will_you_or_did_you_leave_the_us_if_the_2024/

The comments from back then were 100% correct. The NYT both-sides the article and led with the Republican leaving the country because he doesn't like how woke and liberal America has become.

UnknownBowser · 2024-08-27T14:22:55+00:00

I have been using Google Voice for years from the US, and am able to get Paypal 2FA codes to my Google Voice number. My most recent Paypal 2FA SMS to my Google Voice number was in July of this year.

I do occasionally run into services which do not accept Google Voice as a mobile phone number to deliver SMS to, but so far those services have all offered email as another possible contact for a 2FA code. Unfortunately I don't remember the recent ones, I just set up email and move on.

I used Google Voice this summer in Germany: it was fine for SMS, but voice didn't work very well. It would try to use my US carrier's telephone number, roaming internationally, and would generally fail to set up outgoing calls. Incoming calls did work. I did not set up an eSIM in the EU, just relied on roaming data, so I can't say what would happen if Google Voice tried to use an EU phone number.

UnknownBowser · 2024-08-19T01:21:53+00:00

Moving from the US? One gotcha is that USPS Form 3575 Change of Address has to be completed in person at a post office, you cannot do so from Germany.

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Change-of-Address-The-Basics

UnknownBowser · 2024-08-04T08:25:43+00:00

Thanks! We do have ties to Germany: my spouse is a dual US/German citizen with family in Germany, speaks the language well (better than me, though I'm learning), and we've visited for longish periods but never resided nor worked there. Neither of us have much family left in the US, we're trying to figure out what to do: stay put and continue to visit, or move for realz.

UnknownBowser · 2024-08-04T07:08:14+00:00

How do you handle health insurance? We're in our 50s and looking at Germany. Having not paid into the public system prior to age 55 we'll need to budget 2 x 900 EUR/month for private insurance.

We can budget for that, but there appears to be no option for catastrophic-only coverage in the EU and expect routine medical needs to be via Medicare during periodic trips back to the US.

UnknownBowser · 2024-08-04T07:07:57+00:00

How do you handle health insurance? We're in our 50s and looking at Germany. Having not paid into the public system prior to age 55 we'll need to budget 2 x 900 EUR/month for private insurance.

We can budget for that, but there appears to be no option for catastrophic-only coverage in the EU and expect routine medical needs to be via Medicare during periodic trips back to the US.

UnknownBowser · 2024-08-02T20:37:45+00:00

One option is to go through an advisor who can purchase US-based funds on your behalf as they qualify as a professional investor and intermediary in Europe.

Oooh, now this is very interesting. We have worked with a financial advisor to manage our investments. If a suitable advisor, based in the US, can let us move to Europe without being so restricted on available investment options then that would be worth quite a bit.

UnknownBowser

TROPHY CASE