The United States of America is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. Whether you are traveling for business or tourism, millions of visitors come to the United States each year for stays ranging from one week to a few months. If we can say with certainty that the visitor will find a welcoming country upon arrival, it is necessary that he inquire about certain aspects of everyday life in the United States which may be very different from his country of origin, origin.
One of them is certainly the national health system. This fact is recognized as one of the best in the world, with absolute points of medical excellence. But unlike many countries in the rest of the world, the burden of medical care costs falls on the citizen / patient. In other words, the majority of US citizens take out medical insurance to protect themselves in case of medical treatment. If the income is below the poverty line, the federal government intervenes to help the citizen to subscribe to this insurance policy.
Considering the above, it is clear that foreign visitors are not covered by the US national health system. The need for medical care while you are in the United States can result in significant costs. However, it is possible to receive medical care in a public hospital without medical insurance, the costs of which are entirely borne by the patient.
What to do in case of a medical emergency?
In general, if you need medical attention, you have several options, depending on the severity of the problem. If the problem is in fact not very urgent, it is best to call the hospital and ask for a recommendation from a specific doctor for your problem. A visit to a doctor is less costly than an emergency room.
The second option is to contact private health centers, which are cheaper than hospitals. However, it is important to remember that these tend to perform a series of tests on the patient that can increase the final cost. Even in cases of minor medical necessity. Always pay attention to the proposed exams, not all are necessary for you in specific circumstances, use your common sense.
In an emergency, the best thing is surely that you contact the nearest hospital and see a doctor in the emergency room.
It is advisable to be covered by health insurance
As noted above, the United States has a health care system where the patient pays for medical care. US citizens protect themselves with medical insurance, why not do it yourself as a visitor?
Insurance companies generally exist to protect and save. If you suffer from an ankle sprain, or are suffering from dysentery abroad, insurance can help you and not leave you alone. Especially when your medical bill comes in, you’ll be glad you’re not alone. It is therefore very useful to consider the most appropriate coverage for your trip. In addition to medical coverage, many insurance also includes theft or loss of baggage, delays and cancellations of flights, repatriation for reasons of force majeure, etc.
How to evaluate and choose insurance?
Some terms and conditions of the contract will guide you through the assessment and selection of the most appropriate coverage for you. We suggest you consider:
- Maximum expenditure covered by insurance. It is recommended that this threshold be higher than € 500 000.
- If the medical expenses are considerable, it is recommended that the coverage provide for the payment of these expenses directly to the hospital. We do not recommend the refund option after you have paid.
- Pay attention to the deductible. The lower part is the payment that will be returned to you in the event of an accident.
- We suggest that you always choose to cover the cost of repatriation in case of emergency (natural disasters, unexpected wars, terrorist attacks, etc.)
- Choose coverage that includes ambulance transportation.
- Ensure that the emergency phone number is always active and reliable.
- Check and evaluate optional coverage such as loss or theft luggage, insurance in case you rent a car, etc.