{"id":910,"date":"2025-09-13T11:57:29","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T11:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esta-officiel-usa.com\/what-kind-of-health-insurance-do-i-need-for-a-trip-to-the-usa\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T11:57:29","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T11:57:29","slug":"what-kind-of-health-insurance-do-i-need-for-a-trip-to-the-usa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.esta-officiel-usa.com\/en\/what-kind-of-health-insurance-do-i-need-for-a-trip-to-the-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"What kind of health insurance do I need for a trip to the USA?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our advice for choosing a USA health insurance<\/h1>\n\n

Taking a trip abroad is not a trivial matter, especially when it involves venturing onto American soil. Once you’ve applied for your ESTA<\/a> or visa, you’ll also need to consider choosing the right health insurance. The cost of medical care in the U.S. can be exorbitant, and reimbursement of expenses can vary drastically depending on your health mutual or insurance company. <\/p>\n\n

Las Vegas<\/a> and New York <\/a>may be the stuff of dreams, but the American healthcare system is not. In fact, it doesn’t work at all in the same way as in France or certain other European countries in the Schengen area. If, unfortunately, you have to be hospitalized in the USA, chances are you’ll regret not being able to take advantage of the European Health Insurance Card or French Social Security… So it’s important to anticipate all the possibilities of a possible health problem during your trip to the USA, and thus reduce any unpleasant surprises. <\/p>\n\n

Which American health insurance is right for you?<\/h2>\n\n

It’s not easy to choose between expatriation insurance (also known as \nexpatriate insurance), comprehensive insurance and \ncivil liability insurance. What should you choose according to your status? It’s important \nto take your time to make the right choice, with the help of a \ninsurance comparison, for example. Numerous insurance brokers \ncan help you find the policy that best suits your needs \n. <\/p>\n\n

Private and public systems in the U.S.<\/h3>\n\n

The American healthcare system is a mutualist system, which \nmeans that we each pay our own contributions to private organizations. The\n beneficiaries pay a monthly balance, the amount of which varies in \naccordance with certain criteria (age, illness, general state of health, \netc). An obese person or a smoker, for example, will have to \npay more, as the risk of developing certain diseases is \nhigher. This system is totally different from our \nsystem, which is based on solidarity. <\/p>\n\n

However, there are 2 public systems, funded by the government,\n and aimed at the most disadvantaged and the elderly: MEDICARE and \nMEDICAID.<\/p>\n\n

With the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act \n, \nall Americans are obliged to take out \nhealth insurance. This law, nicknamed Obamacare since it was the brainchild of \nthe former president, aims to reform the American healthcare system\n and reduce inequalities by giving millions of Americans \naccess to social coverage. <\/p>\n\n

Other insurance options for the United States<\/h3>\n\n

Some Visa and Mastercard Gold cards also offer \nexpatriate health insurance, as well as other services such as \ntravel insurance, repatriation assistance and\n partial reimbursement of medical expenses. Find out what \nyour rights are in the event of a problem. <\/p>\n\n

Another tip for partial coverage is to enroll in a university, even for a single course.<\/p>\n\n

It is also possible to take out an international \ninsurance policy, but you need to be careful that it is compatible with \nthe requirements of the US government.<\/p>\n\n

Your choice between these different types of insurance will depend on your profile: whether you’re a globetrotter wanting to visit the national parks<\/a>, a student, an intern or a worker, the price and coverage of your insurance will not be the same.<\/p>\n\n

Important information in the health insurance contract<\/h2>\n\n

There is a very specific vocabulary relating to American insurance.\n Knowing it and taking it into account will help you avoid unpleasant \nsurprises.<\/p>\n\n

There are a number of elements that determine how much you’ll have to \npay out each month, or in the event of an insurance claim. You\n will need to check the terms “Copay” (the amount remaining to be paid), \n“out of pocket maximum” (the ceiling), “deductible” (the excess), \n“exclusions” or even the network of doctors covered by the insurance \nwith “network”. These details will help you determine \nwhich medical assistance plan to choose in the event of an accident. <\/p>\n\n

It is generally advisable to apply for full \ncoverage, although this is more expensive. It should be noted that in certain \ncases, it is financially more advantageous to be repatriated \nto one’s own country for treatment. <\/p>\n\n

To make the most of your stay abroad, you should also take out\n other types of insurance, such as home insurance, \nlegal assistance or travel assistance (protection of personal effects \n) if necessary. Trip cancellation insurance can \nalso be useful in certain cases. Some \norganizations offer such packages, for example Chapka assurances \nor Mondial assistance (Allianz travel). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our advice for choosing a USA health insurance Taking a trip abroad is not a trivial matter, especially when it involves venturing onto American soil. Once you’ve applied for your ESTA or visa, you’ll also need to consider choosing the right health insurance. 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