United-States

Be part of the fastest growing health care community!

United-States

Demographics


1360.72

Total population (in M)


9.6 %

Percentage of population age 65 and older


Health stats


5.6 %

Percentage of GDP spent on Healthcare


420

Health care spending per capita in USD


1.9

Number of practicing physicians per 1.000 population


5.6

Average annual number of physician visits per capita


4.9

Total curative (acute) care beds per 1.000 population

HEALTH SYSTEM

Government role

Medicare: age 65+, some disabled; Medicaid: some low-income; for those without employer coverage, state-level insurance exchanges with income-based subsidies; insurance coverage mandated, with some exemptions (10.4% of adults uninsured).

Public system financing

Medicare: payroll tax, premiums, federal tax revenue; Medicaid: federal, state tax revenue.

Private insurance role

Primary private voluntary insurance covers ~66% of population (employer-based and individual); supplementary for Medicare.

Provider ownership

Primary care: Private

Hospitals: Mix of nonprofit (~70% of beds), public (~15%), and for-profit (~15%)

Provider payment

Primary care payment: Most fee-for-service, some capitation with private plans; some incentive payments

Hospital payment: Outpatient care as a fee-for-service

Primary care role

Registration with GP required: No

Gatekeeper: In some insurance programs

 


HOW IS THE MEDICAL SERVICE ORGANIZED

Primary care

Roughly one-third of all US-physicians work in in primary care. The majority of which work in self-or group owned practices. However there is a trend towards larger group practices. Mostly the patients have freedom of choice at least umong the in-network providers. They are usualy not required to register with a GP and the GP does not have a gatekeeping role to play.
The physician is paid through a combination of methods ranging from negotiated fees with the private insurers to administratively set fees for the public insurance. Mostely the patient is directly responsible for a portion of the payment.

Outpatient specialist care

Outpatient specialists tend to work in both private practices and hospitals. Some plans limit direct access to specialist and require a referral from the GP (e.g. HMOs) other plans such as PPO plans allow for a more direct access. For Medicaid patients or non-insured patients access can be difficult.Private insurance role

Complementary to cover cost-sharing and gaps, as well as better health care quality and/or higher reimbursements. No data on coverage, but growth has been rapid.

Direct payments to providers

Co-payments for doctor visits are typically paid at the time of service or are billed to the patient afterward. Often insurance plans require patients to submit claims to receive reimbursement. Providers bill insurers by coding the services rendered; this process can be very time-consuming, as there are thousands of codes.

After hours care

After-hours care is limited and is often provided by emergency rooms. Next to this there are also urgent care centers which are mostly independent and owned by physicians. Some insurance companies make after-hours telephone service available and also tele-consulation is becoming more popular.

Hospitals

Hospital can be non-for profit (majority of beds nationally), for-profit or public. Public hospitals can also service private patients.
The hospitals can be financed through a variety of methods such as per case payments, per-service-charges,…
Some hospital-based physicians are salaried hospital employees, but most are paid on some form of fee-for-service basis—physician payment is not included in Medicare’s diagnosis-related group (DRG) payments.

Mental Health Care

Mental health care can be provided by either for-profit and non-for-profit providers. Most insurance plans cover inpatient hospitalization, outpatient treatment emergency care and prescription drugs.

Long-term Care

Long-term care is provided by for-profit and non-fo-profit providers. Hospice care is included is included as medicare benefit.

Tips for expats

Lorem Upgrade your account with the standars & premium plan

Health care  :

– Although generally being considered as being of high standard the US healthcare system is often considered as costly and confusing for expats and travelers

Health care providers  :

– There is a relatively high density of health care providers even in rural areas.

– To find your way to a health care provider in your proximity you can use the Medihoo provider search tool

Health insurance :

– Having the right health insurance for your needs is essential in avoiding being confronted with high bills

– Many expats take out international private medical insurance. Watch out for overall limits in your health insurance plan as it might not be enough to avoid being stuck with health care costs

Please note that all information contained in this overview is subject to changes

Where to buy health insurance?

Depending on your situation, insurance companies differ. Medhioo partners with companies to assist you in any situations. Take out your insurance package with our partners listed below :

Domestic health insurance

Permanently living where you are?
Find your local health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Travel Insurance

Going for a short period abroad?
Find your travel health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Expat Insurance

Going for a longer period abroad?
Find your international health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Domestic health insurance

Permanently living where you are?
Find your local health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Travel Insurance

Going for a short period abroad?
Find your travel health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Expat Insurance

Going for a longer period abroad?
Find your international health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Domestic health insurance

Permanently living where you are?
Find your local health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Travel Insurance

Going for a short period abroad?
Find your travel health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Expat Insurance

Going for a longer period abroad?
Find your international health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Domestic health insurance

Permanently living where you are?
Find your local health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Travel Insurance

Going for a short period abroad?
Find your travel health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Expat Insurance

Going for a longer period abroad?
Find your international health insurer here:

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

You are an insurer and you want to get listed here ?

Contact us

Medihoo support

On the move abroad as expat or traveller and in need of health care services? Use the Medihoo 1-2-3 support

Check your symptoms, talk to an e-doctor or find a local health care provider.

Symptom checker

Talk directly withyour doctor