Health insurance in the United States is necessary to ensure individuals have adequate protection and coverage when facing injury, illness or medical emergencies. Unlike some countries which have a health care system managed by the government, having health insurance in America is the responsibility of each citizen and foreign traveler.
While it is illegal to turn away uninsured individuals who need life saving treatment, it is not uncommon for doctors or hospitals to refuse treatment to uninsured individuals who are not in immediate danger of losing their life. Having health insurance can mean the difference between having adequate and necessary treatment, suffering due to non-treatment or incurring thousands of dollars in medical expenses for procedures and treatment not covered by insurance. Foreign travelers to the United States should be aware that their own health insurance will not provide coverage while they are traveling. Here are a few things to consider to avoid purchasing an insurance policy that puts you at risk.
Find a reliable company- There are several companies offering visitor and travel insurance for people coming to the United States. Look for a company that has friendly, courteous and knowledgeable staff that is willing to answer all your questions and provide information that helps you find the best policy- even if it is not their own.
Understand limits- Insurance policies often have "limits" to the amount of costs they will cover for specific services. It is not enough to have insurance, you must look for a policy that can provide reasonable coverage in the event you need to seek medical attention. Policies that have a specific limit for procedures and services may not provide adequate coverage which will end up costing you more money in the long run.
Deductibles- There are few if any insurance policies that cover all expenses. Most insurance policies require the policy holder be responsible for a certain amount of expenses before coverage kicks in to pay for health costs. In many cases you may find insurance premiums that are less expensive only to discover you end up paying more out of pocket expenses before your coverage begins. Carefully review information in regards to deductibles and weigh the cost of paying these deductibles with the cost of the premium.
Benefit period- Consider the benefit period offered by each insurance policy. There are policies that limit the length of time they will cover expenses regardless of whether or not you still have coverage. In this case it is possible to have a condition which requires treatment that exceeds the "benefit period" making you responsible for expenses that occur after that period expires.
Maximums- Similar to benefit periods, some policies will only cover a predetermined dollar amount before coverage is not longer available. This is referred to as lifetime or per occurrence maximums. If you find yourself facing a major medical issue which requires expensive or lengthy treatment you may find you are out of insurance before you have received all the care needed to treat your condition.
Foreign travelers to the United States must understand that the health care system in America may vary greatly from their native country. The most affordable policy is not always the least expensive as it is possible to pay a lower premium only to find yourself paying much more in out of pocket expenses. Carefully consider all the limits, out of pocket expenses and exclusions before determining which policy will provide the best coverage.
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