5 key facts about basic healthcare in the USA

1There is no universal healthcare

The US government does not provide universal healthcare for citizens or visitors. Every time you receive medical care, someone has to pay for it.

2Healthcare is very expensive

According to a US government website, a broken leg can end up costing you $7,500. If you have to spend three days in the hospital, expect a bill of around $30,000.

3Most people in the USA have health insurance

Health insurance protects you from owing doctors or hospitals a lot of money if you get sick or injured. To get covered, you make regular payments (called "premiums") to a health insurance company. In return, the company agrees to pay some or all of your medical bills. So what a doctor's visit in the USA really costs you depends mainly on how much of the bill your insurance covers.

Find the key terms and facts about US health insurance here.

4Your family doctor (“Primary Care Physician” or “PCP”) is your first port of call

Once you have health insurance, you can choose a family doctor in your insurer's network. You see your family doctor when you need a checkup or a lab test, when you are sick, or when you need ongoing treatment, for example for diabetes or high blood pressure.

5You usually need an appointment to see a doctor

To see your family doctor, you call the practice and book an appointment. When you call, you will need to explain why you need it. If you are sick or injured, you will get an appointment very soon. If you just need a routine checkup, you may have to wait several weeks or even a month. For the full picture, see our page on healthcare in the USA; our article HMO, PPO, POS & EPO explains how the insurance models differ, and you can find out what it all costs in health insurance when moving to the USA.

In short

• The USA has no universal public healthcare, neither for citizens nor for visitors.
• Medical care is very expensive: a broken leg can cost $7,500, three days in the hospital around $30,000.
• Most people in the USA have health insurance and pay regular premiums for it.
• Your first port of call is your family doctor from your insurer's network, the Primary Care Physician.
• You usually need an appointment to see a doctor; routine checkups can take weeks.

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