Why is it essential to have insurance in the United States?
To choose health insurance for the USA.
We will never remember it enough but it is essential to take out medical insurance adapted to the USA. Be aware that the medical insurance of your credit card has insufficient guarantees even if you benefit from a rather high-end card (Gold, Platinum type).
You are not covered by French social security when traveling to the USA
Social Security coverage will not reimburse your costs up to the very high sums charged by American hospitals and doctors. The French social security site Ameli.fr strongly advises you to take out medical insurance for the USA.
Your complementary health insurance will not reimburse you for your health expenses in the USA. Unless you have a specific contract mentioning this coverage, which is extremely rare.
Medical costs in the United States are among the highest in the world
Health costs in the United States are without comparison with what is practiced in Europe or elsewhere in the world. If you have an accident or fall ill, you could suffer the financial consequences for a very long time or even your whole life.
Consultations in the United States with a general practitioner start from $100 to reach more than $300. And consultations with a specialist are even much higher. In addition, the drugs are much more expensive and a simple blood test can easily cost you $200.
Excessive medical precautions increase US healthcare costs
In the United States, if you fall ill with the flu, which is not the worst, your first visit to the doctor will generally cost you a minimum of $150. Even if the following consultations are often less expensive, they remain around $100 for a general practitioner. If you need to see a specialist, the cost can be several hundred dollars. In order to avoid any error and take maximum precautions, American medical practitioners tend to prescribe many medical procedures: MRI, scanner, biological analysis, etc. not always essential depending on the pathologies.
The American social system is very different from the European model and more particularly from French social security. Remember that American Social Security is not health insurance in the sense that we understand it in France with social security.
No US hospital or doctor, unless you are near death, will treat you without credit card or insurance coverage.
Before you receive any medical treatment in the United States, you will be asked to prove that you are “solvent”. That is, show insurance coverage, your credit card etc.
If you need to be hospitalized, it could be very expensive. If in addition, you do not have insurance, you may be in debt sometimes all your life... So choose an insurance for the United States which undertakes to provide you with coverage as soon as possible. With relays in the United States or a contact platform available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your credit card does not provide health insurance for US medical cost
The insurances accompanying your credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are more like assistance contracts. That is to say, who assists you in the event of incidents, for a short period of time. Indeed, it does not offer real health insurance. And in no case if you stay more than 3 consecutive months in the United States.
In general, insurance guarantees (mainly insurance against the risk of accidental death or disability) apply only if you have purchased your ticket with the card. Regarding the reimbursement of medical expenses, credit card insurance ceilings are very low and derisory compared to the very high cost of medical expenses in the USA. And if the reimbursement ceiling is higher (eg: Visa Premier card), you will have to pay a high deductible for any treatment generated.