In the States you are responsible for your medical expense unless your employer pays 100% of your monthly health care charges.
The average doctor's visit may run up to $200, and house calls (consultations at your home) are virtually unheard of.
Emergency room visits in a hospital can be as much as $1000 and the average birth costs $20.000 for a regular delivery with a hospital stay of 2 days or less and $30.000 for a caesarean.
Hospitals will only treat you after you've presented your social security number and insurance information.
In case of emergency call 911 from your cell phone, land line or payphone and you're advised to make this call first before contacting friends or family for every second counts in an emergency.
Update 13/06/2008
Expatriate health insurance in the United States
With so much to deal with before leaving your home country, (taxes, moving house, paperwork etc.) the careful planning of your expatriation to Miami is an essential step. As far as healthcare is concerned, your local social security scheme won’t be accompanying you to your host country and, once abroad, you might be surprised by the care system you find in the United States So, before leaving, make sure you have appropriate cover!
Cigna is one of the world's biggest international insurers with more than 30 years' experience in providing global health insurance across 200 countries and territories. They have access to more than 1.65 million hospitals, physicians, clinics and specialists worldwide.
Cigna Global's flexible plans are specifically designed for expats and globally mobile individuals who move to the United States. All their plans can be tailored to your individual requirements in the United States, always finding the right healthcare solution, whatever the situation and budget.
Getting a health insurance quote
Create your perfect plan with Cigna and combine the reassurance of comprehensive inpatient cover with the flexibility of optional extra benefits.
Click on the button to access the online tool and get a quote in 2 minutes.