1

Will you be working or attending a university? The first place to check is your employer or school. They may provide insurance or have a group policy you can purchase at a discount.

2

I am going to be there with my wife. She is American. I was hoping I might be able to get some kind of travellers insurance as she does not have insurance either.

3

This is a term health insurance that many long-term travellers use http://www.worldnomads.com/?gclid=CN_Vn77RiLQCFSPhQgodhT4A3w

Also, you should post your inquiry on GAP Year & Round the World Travel. This question comes up often on that thread.

Finally, is your wife going to work in the U.S.? If so, you will probably be covered under her plan.

4

If you will be living in the US for a year and will have a US address, you should be able to buy regular health insurance from a US company, if your and your wife won't be covered by an employer. You get what is called an "individual policy." These are often more expensive than a group rate you get from an employer. If you are willing ot pay a high deductible, that is, if you can afford $1,000 or even $5,000 out of your own pocket, you may be able to find a less expensive policy.

Different insurers operate in different states, so it's not possible to suggest one. You can research insurers in advance. Here's a place to start. Health Insurance Buying Guide from a consumer organization. You can ignore Medicare and Medicaid providers--they are for the elderly and the very poor, respectively. Read the "understanding health insurance" section first, so you understand the different kinds of health plans. They want to charge you to see details on the rankings. Go here to search for free.

You could get a short-term travel health policy to cover you until you get the US policy bought.

5

I would think that travel insurance that covers health for that period would cost you an arm and a leg.

Perhaps getting travel insurance while you do travel, and then paying extra to cover yourself via your wife's policy seems the way to go.

6

OP says, "I was hoping I might be able to get some kind of travellers insurance as she does not have insurance either."

7

Well then, i think that seeing she is a US citizen it would think it would be far cheaper if he could bundle his spouses heath insurance with his when he takes his out, her being a US citizen, and him being a resident surely there could be some way they can take out health cover together?