Traveling to the United States can definitely be an exciting adventure, but unexpected medical emergencies can quickly turn the trip of a lifetime into a financial headache.
Since the United States does not have universal healthcare, visitors to the United States will be left paying out-of-pocket for medical expenses if they don’t have travel medical insurance or have additional expenses that aren’t eligible for coverage to pay for.
Understanding how the healthcare system in the U.S. works and what your options are for paying medical bills as a visitor can relieve your stress and prepare you to handle your medical bills with confidence.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
- Why U.S. healthcare costs are so high for visitors and what common medical services actually cost
- The types of insurance available to international visitors and how to choose the right coverage
- What travel medical insurance covers and what it doesn’t
- Step-by-step guidance on what to do if you receive a medical bill
- How to negotiate medical bills and access financial assistance programs
What Type of Insurance Do Visitors Need in the United States?
First and foremost, having health insurance coverage during your visit to the United States is crucial to avoid the heavy burden that expensive medical bills can be if you need to seek medical care during your trip.
The United States has some of the most expensive medical costs in the world, so traveling to the U.S. without coverage can be extremely risky.
Visitors to the U.S. can opt for travel medical insurance, often referred to as visitors insurance, which can provide coverage for emergency medical expenses for new illnesses or injuries that occur while you are in the U.S.
While no one wants to think the worst will happen during their travels, having protection just in case the unexpected occurs is an absolute vital safeguard for visitors to avoid hefty medical bills.
Best Affordable Travel Insurance Plan for Visitors to the US: Cover America-Gold
Best Travel Medical Insurance with High Coverage Limits: Atlas America Premium
Best Pre-Existing Condition Coverage for Visitors to the US: INF Elite X
Will Travel Insurance Cover All of Your U.S. Medical Bills?
Travel medical insurance is designed to cover eligible medical bills associated with emergency medical care that you need to receive during your stay in the U.S. for any new illnesses or injuries.
Whether or not travel insurance will cover all of your medical bills will depend on your injury or illness, possible exclusions in your plan, and the type of plan you choose.
A comprehensive travel medical insurance plan is highly recommended for visitors to the U.S., as opposed to a limited travel medical insurance plan, as it offers percentage-based coverage and minimizes out-of-pocket costs. Most comprehensive travel medical insurance plans can cover up to 100% of eligible medical expenses.
As you browse travel medical insurance plans, be sure to look through policy documents and brochures to understand coverage details, any possible exclusions, and what your medical coverage will look like.
What to Do If You Have U.S. Medical Bills as a Visitor
If you find yourself having to pay out-of-pocket for medical care in the United States as a visitor, it is important to know that you have options.
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind that will help you better navigate your medical bills in the U.S., especially if they are hefty.
Always Ask for an Itemized Bill
Hospitals occasionally overcharge for standard items like aspirin or Tylenol. Always request an itemized bill to confirm that you are only paying for services you received and are not being charged for services that should be free. If you find an unfamiliar charge on your bill, you should speak with the healthcare provider to have it removed or reduced.
You Can Try to Negotiate Your Bills
While not necessarily disclosed by healthcare providers, most will be open to communication with patients in order to negotiate down medical bills for payment.
Patients can contact a hospital or healthcare provider’s finance department or customer service line to receive assistance with discussing bill options.
Public, or non-profit healthcare providers, may be more willing to negotiate medical bills versus a private or for-profit provider. Regardless, however, you can still attempt to discuss your bill amount with the provider to try and lower your costs to something more affordable.
Communication Is Key
The most important thing to remember when it comes to your medical bills is communication with the healthcare provider. Good communication can go a long way when it comes to discussing your payment options.
With your permission, you can also bring your sponsor or trusted family member or friend in the United States to assist you with negotiating or discussing payment options. This can make the situation more comfortable for you, and can also solve any potential language barriers.
By being honest with the healthcare provider and communicating in a calm and respectful manner, you can get a better opportunity to reduce your bills or come to a payment agreement.
You Can Ask For Your Bill to be Waived
After opening up a conversation with a healthcare provider, you can ask if it is possible to waive your medical bill altogether if you have no means of paying anything towards it.
Typically, in this situation, you could be asked for proof that you are not able to pay for your bill. Honesty is the best policy, so it is crucial to fulfill any requests by the healthcare provider to improve your chances of a completely or partially waived bill in the face of financial hardship.
If the bill cannot be completely waived, you may be eligible to waive a portion of your bill. The best course of action is to be straightforward about your financial situation and what you can afford, so that you and the healthcare provider can work together on a realistic solution.
Are Payment Plans Available for International Visitors?
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to having medical bills as a visitor in the United States is that typically, non-U.S. residents will not be eligible for payment plans.
This means that you will have to pay for your medical bills in one lump sum, which makes having health coverage even more crucial for visitors.
However, negotiating your bills, if possible, can help reduce the lump sum amount to remove some of the financial stress that comes with medical costs.
Why Payment Plans Usually Aren’t an Option For Visitors
U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers are generally hesitant to offer payment plans to international visitors because:
- There’s no way to enforce payment after you leave the country
- They have no legal recourse if you stop making payments
- Credit reporting and collection agencies typically don’t operate internationally
- The administrative burden of tracking international payments is high
This means you’ll likely need to pay your medical bill in a lump sum rather than making monthly payments over time.
How Can Having Travel Health Insurance Help?
To hopefully avoid going through this process altogether, consider getting travel medical insurance for your trip to the United States.
A comprehensive travel medical insurance plan can provide you with the emergency medical coverage you need to be protected in the event of an unexpected ailment. Furthermore, many of them will allow direct billing, meaning your insurance will help with the bill without you having to pay out-of-pocket.
Ready to get insured for your U.S. trip? Browse our travel medical insurance plans or contact our Customer Success Team for friendly assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bills with Travel Insurance
How much does a typical emergency room visit cost in the US without insurance?
An emergency room visit without insurance typically costs between $500 and $3,000, depending on the severity of your condition and the treatment required. This is just for the ER facility fee and basic examination. If you need X-rays ($200-$500), lab work ($100-$1,000), medications, or procedures, the costs increase substantially. A moderate emergency requiring some testing and treatment can easily reach $2,000-$5,000, while serious emergencies requiring extensive care can exceed $10,000.
Can I use my home country health insurance for medical care in the USA?
Not really. Most domestic policies do not cover international travel, especially in a country with high medical costs like the United States. Getting U.S. visitors insurance provides better protection because it’s specifically designed for the American healthcare system and its costs. Additionally, many home country policies require you to pay upfront and then file for reimbursement, which can be challenging with high U.S. medical costs.
Do I need travel insurance if I’m only visiting the US for a week?
Yes, travel medical insurance is recommended even for short visits. Medical emergencies are age specific, and in a country with such high medical costs. Someone could slip on ice, develop appendicitis, or have a severe allergic reaction during a one-week trip just as easily as during a longer stay. Given that even a short hospital stay can cost tens of thousands of dollars, the relatively small cost of visitors insurance (often $30-$100 per week) is worthwhile protection. A single emergency room visit could cost more than the entire premium for your trip.
What’s the difference between travel insurance and travel medical insurance?
Travel insurance (sometimes called trip insurance) primarily covers non-medical issues like trip cancellations, flight delays, lost luggage, and travel interruptions. Travel medical insurance (visitors insurance) specifically focuses on covering medical expenses if you get sick or injured during your trip. For visitors to the United States, travel medical insurance is the better option. Some comprehensive travel insurance policies include medical coverage, but dedicated travel medical insurance plans usually provide better medical protection.
Will travel medical insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most visitors insurance plans do not cover pre-existing medical conditions (health issues you had before purchasing the policy). However, there are specialized pre-existing condition policies for visitors to the US.
These policies are designed to cover the unexpected worsening of a pre-existing condition. For example, if you have asthma and experience a severe, unexpected attack requiring emergency care, this might be covered under pre-existing condition coverage. Routine management of chronic conditions, expected complications, and preventive care for pre-existing conditions are typically not covered; but, always read policy details carefully.
How long do I have to pay a medical bill in the United States?
Payment timelines vary by provider, but you usually have 30 to 90 days to pay your medical bill from the date it’s issued. The bill should clearly state the due date. After this date, the bill may be sent to a collections agency, which can add extra fees. Some hospitals offer discounts for early payment if you pay within 10-30 days. If you need more time or want to negotiate, contact the billing department as soon as possible, ideally before the due date. Being proactive shows good faith and improves your chances of successfully negotiating a reduction or extension.
Can hospitals refuse to treat me if I don’t have insurance?
In the United States, emergency rooms are legally required by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to provide stabilizing treatment for anyone experiencing a medical emergency regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. This mandate, however, applies only to emergency situations.
For non-emergency care such as routine doctor visits, elective procedures, or follow-up care, hospitals and doctors may require proof of insurance or payment before treatment is administered. This is another reason why obtaining visitors insurance is essential, it guarantees access to both emergency and necessary follow-up care.
What should I do if I can’t understand my medical bill?
Medical bills can be confusing even for Americans familiar with the system. If you don’t understand your bill, call the hospital’s billing department and ask them to explain each charge. Request an itemized bill if you didn’t receive one, as this provides detailed information about every charge.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions! Billing departments are accustomed to explaining charges. If language is a barrier, ask if they have interpreters available, or bring a trusted English-speaking friend or family member to help. You can also contact your insurance company if you have visitors insurance, as they can help explain what is covered and what you are responsible for paying.
Is urgent care cheaper than the emergency room in the United States?
Yes, urgent care centers are significantly less expensive than emergency rooms. An urgent care visit typically costs $150-$300 without insurance, compared to $500-$3,000+ for an emergency room visit. Urgent care is appropriate for non-life-threatening issues like minor injuries, flu symptoms, sprains, minor cuts, or infections.
Emergency rooms should be used for serious, potentially life-threatening conditions like chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or major injuries. If you’re unsure whether to go to urgent care or the ER, call your insurance provider’s nurse line (if available) or err on the side of caution for serious symptoms.
