Health in the United States is an important topic, especially given the high cost of medical care and the need for insurance. Here is key information about the healthcare system and what you need to know when you come to the United States:
1. Health Insurance
1.1 Why do I need health insurance?
Mandatory: In the United States, health insurance is practically a necessity because health care is very expensive. Without insurance, a doctor's visit or hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars.
Penalties: Some states may impose fines for not having insurance (for example, California and Massachusetts).
1.2 Types of Health Insurance
Private Health Insurance: Usually offered through an employer. The employer pays part of the cost of the insurance, and the employee pays the rest.
Government Programs:Medicare: For people over 65 or with disabilities. Medicaid: For people with low incomes.
Marketplace (Obamacare): Private insurance that is purchased through government platforms. This is a good option for those who do not have insurance from an employer.Healthcare.gov is a federal platform for buying insurance.
1.3 How to Choose Insurance
When choosing insurance, consider the following parameters:Premium: How much you pay each month. Deductible: The amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance will cover you. Co-pay: A set amount you pay for doctor visits or medications. Annual Maximum: Some plans limit the maximum you will pay in a year.
2. Health Care Facilities
2.1 Types of Health Care Facilities
Clinics and Hospitals: Hospitals provide emergency care, surgery, and treatment for serious illnesses. Clinics offer less complex services, such as exams, vaccinations, and treatment for minor illnesses. Urgent Care Clinics: These are walk-in clinics where you can go without an appointment to treat minor injuries or illnesses (e.g., infections, strains). Primary Care Physician (PCP): This is the primary care physician who will coordinate your health care. They are often the first point of referral to specialists.
2.2 Find a Health Care Facility
Use your insurance to find clinics and doctors that work with your plan. Your insurance company's website has a Find a Doctor section.
Popular hospital chains: Mayo Clinic (one of the top medical institutions in the United States). Cleveland Clinic. Kaiser Permanente (offers both insurance and medical services).
3. Medical Services
3.1 Emergency Care
911: In a life-threatening emergency, call 911. They will send an ambulance, fire department, or police to you.
Emergency Room (ER): The emergency room of a hospital. The cost of going to the ER is usually higher than other facilities, even with health insurance. Use the ER only for real emergencies (injuries, heart attacks, etc.).
3.2 Routine Medical Services
General Practitioner: The primary care physician you see for routine checkups, vaccinations, and treatment of simple illnesses.
Specialists: You may be referred to a cardiologist, dermatologist, dentist, or other specialist depending on your health. Ask your primary care physician for a referral.
4. Medications
4.1 Prescription Drugs
Prescriptions: Most medications require a prescription. A prescription can be written by a doctor, and then you can buy the medication at a pharmacy.
Pharmacies: Large chain drugstores in the US: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid. Supermarket pharmacies: Walmart, Target.
4.2 Over-the-counter medications
Many medications for colds, headaches, allergies, etc. can be purchased without a prescription at these same drugstores and supermarkets.
4.3 Cost of Medications
If you have health insurance, it often covers part of the cost of prescription drugs. Check with your pharmacies to see which ones accept your insurance.
5. Vaccinations
5.1 Mandatory Vaccinations
Vaccinations are mandatory in the US for children attending schools and for university students. If you plan to study or work in the US, check with them to see which vaccinations are required.
Popular vaccinations include measles, rubella, hepatitis, tetanus, COVID-19, and flu.
5.2 Where to get vaccinated
You can get vaccinated at clinics or pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, and others). Pharmacies often offer flu shots without a prescription.
6. Healthy Living and Prevention
6.1 Fitness and Gyms
Exercise to stay healthy. Popular gyms include: Planet Fitness: Affordable memberships. LA Fitness: Higher prices and more options. 24 Hour Fitness: Gyms that are open 24 hours a day.
6.2 Nutrition
Live a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet. Supermarkets like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's offer healthy options.
7. Mental Health
7.1 Psychological Help
In the United States, you can get help from a psychologist or therapist. Many insurance plans cover these services. You can contact psychotherapists in private clinics or via telemedicine.
7.2 Hotlines
In case of psychological crises, 24-hour support is available through hotlines such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255).
The medical system in the United States requires good organization and mandatory insurance to minimize risks. It is important to take out insurance in advance, choose a doctor, know where to go in case of emergency, and monitor your health by attending routine medical examinations.
1.1 Why do I need health insurance?
Mandatory: In the United States, health insurance is practically a necessity because health care is very expensive. Without insurance, a doctor's visit or hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars.
Penalties: Some states may impose fines for not having insurance (for example, California and Massachusetts).
1.2 Types of Health Insurance
Private Health Insurance: Usually offered through an employer. The employer pays part of the cost of the insurance, and the employee pays the rest.
Government Programs:Medicare: For people over 65 or with disabilities. Medicaid: For people with low incomes.
Marketplace (Obamacare): Private insurance that is purchased through government platforms. This is a good option for those who do not have insurance from an employer.Healthcare.gov is a federal platform for buying insurance.
1.3 How to Choose Insurance
When choosing insurance, consider the following parameters:Premium: How much you pay each month. Deductible: The amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance will cover you. Co-pay: A set amount you pay for doctor visits or medications. Annual Maximum: Some plans limit the maximum you will pay in a year.
2. Health Care Facilities
2.1 Types of Health Care Facilities
Clinics and Hospitals: Hospitals provide emergency care, surgery, and treatment for serious illnesses. Clinics offer less complex services, such as exams, vaccinations, and treatment for minor illnesses. Urgent Care Clinics: These are walk-in clinics where you can go without an appointment to treat minor injuries or illnesses (e.g., infections, strains). Primary Care Physician (PCP): This is the primary care physician who will coordinate your health care. They are often the first point of referral to specialists.
2.2 Find a Health Care Facility
Use your insurance to find clinics and doctors that work with your plan. Your insurance company's website has a Find a Doctor section.
Popular hospital chains: Mayo Clinic (one of the top medical institutions in the United States). Cleveland Clinic. Kaiser Permanente (offers both insurance and medical services).
3. Medical Services
3.1 Emergency Care
911: In a life-threatening emergency, call 911. They will send an ambulance, fire department, or police to you.
Emergency Room (ER): The emergency room of a hospital. The cost of going to the ER is usually higher than other facilities, even with health insurance. Use the ER only for real emergencies (injuries, heart attacks, etc.).
3.2 Routine Medical Services
General Practitioner: The primary care physician you see for routine checkups, vaccinations, and treatment of simple illnesses.
Specialists: You may be referred to a cardiologist, dermatologist, dentist, or other specialist depending on your health. Ask your primary care physician for a referral.
4. Medications
4.1 Prescription Drugs
Prescriptions: Most medications require a prescription. A prescription can be written by a doctor, and then you can buy the medication at a pharmacy.
Pharmacies: Large chain drugstores in the US: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid. Supermarket pharmacies: Walmart, Target.
4.2 Over-the-counter medications
Many medications for colds, headaches, allergies, etc. can be purchased without a prescription at these same drugstores and supermarkets.
4.3 Cost of Medications
If you have health insurance, it often covers part of the cost of prescription drugs. Check with your pharmacies to see which ones accept your insurance.
5. Vaccinations
5.1 Mandatory Vaccinations
Vaccinations are mandatory in the US for children attending schools and for university students. If you plan to study or work in the US, check with them to see which vaccinations are required.
Popular vaccinations include measles, rubella, hepatitis, tetanus, COVID-19, and flu.
5.2 Where to get vaccinated
You can get vaccinated at clinics or pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, and others). Pharmacies often offer flu shots without a prescription.
6. Healthy Living and Prevention
6.1 Fitness and Gyms
Exercise to stay healthy. Popular gyms include: Planet Fitness: Affordable memberships. LA Fitness: Higher prices and more options. 24 Hour Fitness: Gyms that are open 24 hours a day.
6.2 Nutrition
Live a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet. Supermarkets like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's offer healthy options.
7. Mental Health
7.1 Psychological Help
In the United States, you can get help from a psychologist or therapist. Many insurance plans cover these services. You can contact psychotherapists in private clinics or via telemedicine.
7.2 Hotlines
In case of psychological crises, 24-hour support is available through hotlines such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255).
The medical system in the United States requires good organization and mandatory insurance to minimize risks. It is important to take out insurance in advance, choose a doctor, know where to go in case of emergency, and monitor your health by attending routine medical examinations.
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