While
the United States offers excellent health care, navigating the system
can be a daunting and expensive task. Health care in the United States
is costly, and it is the responsibility of the patient to pay for all
care received. As a result, most people take advantage of the group
health insurance offered by their school, employer, or other
organization. By purchasing insurance with a large group of people, the
costs of care are lowered. Most colleges and universities offer health
insurance to their students. Medical Insurance
If your school does not offer health insurance, it's recommended, and sometimes required, that you purchase it. Students with J-1 status visas are required to have health insurance, and some colleges require that all students have health insurance. You can buy health insurance from most U.S. insurance companies and from student organizations, such as International Student Organization. Without insurance, a visit to a doctor can cost anywhere from $50 to more than $300. It can cost more than $2,000 to stay in a hospital for one day.
If you become ill or need to consult with a doctor while studying in the United States, you should first go to the university's student health clinic. You should go to a hospital emergency room if you need immediate medical attention or are experiencing intense pain. If the university does not have a student health clinic, you could visit a private physician.
In the Doctor's Office
When you arrive at a doctor's office for the first time, you will be asked for your insurance information. If you do not have insurance, you may have to pay for the visit before leaving. In the exam room, a nurse will likely weigh you and take your temperature and blood pressure. Next, the doctor will visit you and ask questions about your symptoms. The doctor will provide you with a treatment plan, a prescription for medicine, or will request further medical tests.
Doctors in the United States sometimes seem rushed as they often see more than 30 patients a day. During an office visit, it's important that you ask questions about anything that confuses you. You may want to take a dictionary or a friend to help you translate.
In addition to conventional forms of medicine practiced in the United States, alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, are available. Some insurance plans allow for a limited number of treatments. Check with your insurance carrier to find out if these treatments are covered in your plan.
Know the Terms
Co-pay: The amount the insurance company expects you to pay each time you visit the doctor or fill a prescription. Typically co-pays range in price from $5 to $30.
Deductible: Some insurance policies pay for expenses once you've already spent a certain amount. If you have a $500 deductible, your health insurance won't start paying expenses until you've spent that amount in medical expenses.
Exclusion: Any treatment your health insurance will not pay for.
Pre-existing Condition: A health condition you had prior to purchasing a new health insurance policy. Some insurance policies will not provide coverage for or pay expenses related to pre-existing conditions.
Premium: The amount you pay monthly or annually for the insurance policy.
