Ivanov and Ivanova: how the same Russian surnames in the USA become 'different' and what problems this creates

В Facebook group “Seeking advice”, created by ForumDaily, one of the readers asked what to do if the wife in the United States refused to write in her husband's health insurance because of the different endings of the names. Here's what the subscribers replied.

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Reader Olga asked what to do if a wife was removed from her husband’s health insurance based on “different” last names. For example, the husband's last name is Ivanov, and the wife's last name is Ivanova (we changed the last names indicated by the author).

From an American point of view, these surnames are different. A woman is interested in how to prove that her wife’s surname is written according to the rules of the Russian language, if the marriage certificate is not an argument. The wife received a visa and entered the United States as a spouse - the marriage was concluded many years ago. And previously in America there were no problems with surnames.

Here's what ForumDaily readers answered.

Alexander:

• “Nowadays, many people don’t take their husband’s last name, especially in the USA. I've seen this too, unfortunately. They must accept the marriage certificate, even if it is not translated. Make a copy, fax it to them or whatever they accept. In general, you will need to get one or two managers to talk to you if they have not written down this point.”

Olga:

• "It's some kind of mistake. The wife does not have to have the same last name as her husband. A marriage certificate is also quite a document. Perhaps she was removed from the policy for another reason.”

On the subject: What to bring to relatives from the USA: serious and not very advice from ForumDaily readers

Smooth:

• “You just ran into a not very educated clerk. Demand communication with managers and stand your ground. Under pressure, they will let you talk to a normal specialist and everything will be changed in a couple of mouse clicks.”

Anna:

• “I have two children and we all have different last names - I provided a birth certificate and they are on my health insurance. Many of my employees have different surnames for husband and wife; they provide a marriage document.”

Yuliya:

• “Call the insurance company. The husband can also contact the personnel department, if there is such a department, at his place of work.”

Irina:

• “My husband and I have the same surnames, my husband adopted my child, we did not change her surname - she was fine on her husband’s insurance when she reached the age when she already needed a separate one. Either the clerk is incompetent, or there is another reason.”

Daisy flower:

• “My husband and I have completely different last names, something is wrong here, call your Health Benefit center and ask the reason why the insurance card does not work, what’s the matter?! If you bought insurance through your husband’s company as one of the benefits of his work, call the Benefit Center, if you bought directly from Insurance Career like Cigna/Aetna/BCBC, then call them directly and ask your questions.”

Anna:

• “Contact the HR department at your husband’s work and they will fix it. They don’t remove or change the insurance themselves; all the data comes from your work. Many people generally have different last names and are not married, but share the same insurance. If you are on this insurance and suddenly such a misunderstanding, they will pay retrogradely. Don't worry."

Marina:

• “The fact that my wife was removed from health insurance is wrong and illegal. You should have been asked for: a marriage certificate and proof of cohabitation; a tax return; a copy of the tenancy agreement; or a copy of the mortgage (financial information must be redacted/whitened out). Contact HR. If all of these documents are filed, you will need to write or call the office in your state. You can find your phone here (select your state)"

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Andrew:

• “My wife was recently removed from insurance, citing the fact that she had another insurance (which she never had). Call the insurance company and ask a specific question (the husband should call), what is the problem? You explain everything, and if someone doesn’t understand something, call the supervisor. I am 100000% sure that the issue is not your last name.”

Alina:

• “Write sworn Affidavit. Explain what's what. Get it certified by a notary. Send it to the insurance company."

Read also on ForumDaily:

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What to do if you illegally worked in the USA and you weren’t paid

Important actions and documents: what to do in the USA in the event of the death of a loved one

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