International Health Insurance in the USA for Expats

If you are relocating to the US for work with a US employer, your employer is likely to provide health insurance as part of your compensation package. Employer-sponsored plans are the most common form of health insurance in America and can be comprehensive. However, there is typically a waiting period before employer coverage begins – often 30 to 90 days from your start date. During this waiting period, international health insurance provides essential cover. If you are not employed by a US company, you will need to arrange private insurance independently.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, created a marketplace through which individuals can purchase health insurance. Expats who are lawfully present in the United States with certain visa types can access the ACA marketplace and may be eligible for subsidised plans depending on income. However, ACA plans typically only cover care inside the United States and open enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15 each year – though moving to the US qualifies as a special enrollment event giving you 60 days to enrol. International health insurance is often a more flexible and portable option, particularly for expats who plan to travel internationally or return home.

Without health insurance in the United States, you are responsible for the full cost of all medical treatment. An emergency room visit can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars. A hospital admission can cost tens of thousands. A serious illness or accident can result in bills of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medical debt is one of the leading causes of financial difficulty in the United States. Arriving with international health insurance in place from day one is the most important financial protection step any expat can take before moving to America.

International health insurance plans vary in their US coverage. Some plans exclude the United States due to the high cost of healthcare there, so it is important to specifically check whether a plan includes US coverage before purchasing. Plans that do include US coverage typically cover emergency treatment, hospitalisation, specialist consultations and, depending on the plan level, routine care and prescription medications. ExpatInsure can help you find a plan that provides appropriate coverage in the US for your needs and budget.

Most government healthcare programmes in the United States are not available to expats without qualifying status. Medicare is available to US citizens and permanent residents aged 65 and over who have worked in the US for a qualifying period, and to some disabled individuals. Medicaid provides coverage for low-income individuals and families, but eligibility for recent immigrants is restricted and varies by state. For the vast majority of expats newly arriving in the US, private international health insurance is the only available option. ExpatInsure can help you find the right plan for your situation.