Living In USA

Because medical costs are high, insurance is necessary. There are many excellent free public facilities for the poor, but they are so crowded and the waiting time so long that most people who can afford to use private doctors do so. More important, as a non-American (that is, until you have obtained permanent residence), you are not permitted to take advantage of publicly funded medical care. You will not be turned away, but there may be consequences later with your immigration status. As of yet, there is no national system of health care coverage (except for Medicare, which covers persons sixty-five years of age and over), but the issue is hotly debated.

At the present time, the great majority of American people subscribe to private insurance programs, which help to pay for hospital and doctor bills. You should join such a program also. If you work for an American company, there is quite likely a group insurance plan to which you and your family will automatically belong, but you should find out about this in detail. Payments for such plans are usually partially paid by the employer; your contribution is made through automatic payroll deductions. Find out exactly what the coverage includes, because this varies from one plan to another. Also, check the deductible (the amount you must pay before the insurance covers the cost). Many insurance programs require a "copay," which is a fixed amount you pay for each medical treatment. While these are usually modest, they can add up to a significant amount for those who have chronic conditions requiring frequent visits to a doctor.

If you are working for an organization that does not have group insurance, you should purchase private health insurance for yourself and your family. One bad accident or serious illness could cost you a great deal of money. Most insurance plans are open to international personnel after they have lived in the United States for six months; some will cover them earlier than that. Ask at your company about a good insurance adviser or ask your doctor. This should be done immediately after arrival in this country.

Foreign students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities are usually required, either by their institution or by the state it is located in, to have medical insurance (by federal regulation, J-1 students and scholars must have insurance). They also pay their college infirmary fee, which entitles them to receive full infirmary care whenever they need it. They can also purchase additional low-cost accident insurance, which is recommended and often required. The university or college catalogue will give details, and the foreign student adviser will inform new students about the insurance plan recommended by the school. Dependent family members are often not eligible for infirmary care and should be covered with outside health insurance.

Medical insurance almost never covers all expenses. Read the policy carefully and have someone explain it to you in detail. Coverage varies widely from one policy to another. Some policies include medications and basic dental care, but few cover eyeglasses. You can have these specialties added, but the cost rises sharply with each one. Be sure to think over carefully exactly what you need, balancing the cost of the policy against those services you can afford. Eyeglasses generally cost between 50 and 200 dollars, more if you do not have your written prescription from an eye doctor.

Before selecting a health insurance agent, it is a good idea to obtain advice from a colleague or friend. Most agents are reliable, but some are not; you will need help in selecting a reputable firm.

Be prepared to present your insurance card before receiving services at a hospital. If you have no insurance, be prepared to arrange for payment of all hospital bills before taking the patient home. Your corporation or your insurance may cover such matters for you; otherwise, the hospital may demand full payment — even if this requires your taking out a loan to cover it. It is advisable to talk to your employer, your doctor, or your insurance agent about this so you will know your own situation before an emergency arises. Occasionally, hospitals will agree to have payments spread over a period of time.