What insurance to take for a trip or an expatriation in the United States?
The United States is one of the favorite destinations for the French, and it’s not difficult to understand! From sunny California to bustling New York City, Florida theme parks, famous Route 66 and magnificent national parks, the United States is a dream for travelers of all kinds and ages.
If you too want to live the American dream, you will need to make some preparations. Between your suitcase and your passport, don’t forget another essential: good insurance for the United States!
While you will be extremely well cared for in the United States, it should also be taken into account that this is the country with the highest cost of medicine in the world; and that your credit card is one of the first things you will be asked to check in at a hospital!
The price of medicine in the United States varies a lot from state to state, but on average you will cost between $ 150 and $ 200 to see a general practitioner. If you need to go to the emergency room, you will be asked for a deposit of $ 1,000 to $ 3,000 before you are admitted. Finally, if you have to undergo a “simple” hospitalization, such as having the appendix removed, your bill goes up! There are prices ranging from $ 14,000 to over $ 60,000 depending on the city!
Taking out good travel insurance to cover your care is therefore an essential precautionary measure. Here are some tips for choosing the health insurance for the United States that best suits your visa or status.
Travel insurance for tourists to the United States
Visiting the United States for sightseeing promises a stay that you will remember for a long time. However, the holidays can quickly be ruined by minor injuries (slight injuries, insect bites …) or more serious emergencies (accident, illness requiring emergency care, etc.).
In the event that your stay was purchased using your credit card, it is likely that travel insurance is already included. However, it is also possible that this insurance does not meet your needs or does not provide sufficient coverage. It is therefore important to inform yourself before leaving. To be sure that your credit card insurance is sufficient, you can read our article: our points to check before going on a trip with your credit card insurance.
The best way to get away from it all is to purchase travel insurance. In addition to covering your medical and hospital costs on site, travel insurance can also organize your repatriation if necessary, and offer civil liability coverage and legal assistance. Something to be reassured and leave quiet!
Discover our Globe Traveler contract, which covers you for your trips to the United States; whether it is a vacation of a few days as well as a stay of several months.
A trip to the United States is also a big budget, and it will be a shame if you cancel your savings not returned to you. By subscribing to a cancellation guarantee on the day of purchase of your trip, your vacation will be reimbursed to you in the event that it must be canceled.
Health insurance for students and interns in the United States
Doing your studies or an internship in the United States is the opportunity to study in prestigious institutions, to learn and master English but also to discover American culture and, why not, prepare a career in English. ‘international.
To obtain a student visa in the United States, you may need health insurance that covers your care on site as well as your repatriation to your country of origin.
Our Globe Traveler contract, in addition to essential guarantees such as medical costs, hospitalization and repatriation, offers guarantees specially designed for students, such as civil liability for objects entrusted during internships or the option of interruption of study, which covers your tuition fees if you can no longer attend classes. A really interesting guarantee if you have the chance to study at famous universities where the cost of tuition is very high.
Insurance for au pair stays and language stays in the United States
Going to the United States for a language stay or an au pair stay is a memorable experience, which will allow you to touch American culture while improving your English. If you go through a specialized travel agency or an employment agency, your insurance may already be included in the offer offered by your tour operator. However, this is not mandatory, and it is important to check this point before your departure.
If travel insurance is not included, it is essential to take out a contract that will cover your health costs, medical emergencies and repatriation, during your entire stay in the United States.
Discover our Globe Traveler contract, adapted to your au pair or language stays in the United States.
Expatriation insurance for foreign residents in the United States
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and move to the United States for good, simple travel insurance won’t be enough. While travel insurance is designed to cover illnesses and accidents during a short stay, expatriation insurance offers much more comprehensive cover and designed to meet your long-term health needs. To learn more, see our article on the differences between travel insurance and expatriation insurance.
In addition to these practical considerations, there is the legal obligation to purchase health insurance when you move to the United States. Indeed, in recent years the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) health care reform system has provided access to health coverage to the approximately 50 million Americans who had previously been deprived of it. This reform also applies to expatriates, who must take out health insurance known as ACA Compliant, or compliant with Obamacare. Failure to comply with this rule results in fines calculated according to income and the number of people per household and may represent several thousand dollars per year.
It is therefore absolutely essential to take out health insurance if you are planning to move to the United States.ACS offers expatriation insurance contracts compatible with the Obamacare reform.
Whether you are going on vacation for a few days or moving there permanently, a trip to the United States requires the purchase of an insurance solution that can cover your medical expenses on site. We hope this guide has helped you to see more clearly and to select the offer that best suits your needs and your status. However, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.