Making yourself at home in a new country requires learning a lot of new information, from education systems to rental procedures to cultural considerations. However, for those who are new to the US, few things are as complicated — and also as important — as understanding healthcare system.
Though it can be difficult, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the basics of the healthcare system to ensure you and your family can access necessary medical services when you need them.
Here are a few things to know about the US healthcare system.
Health insurance
In the US, healthcare can be expensive, so there’s an insurance system to help cover medical costs. You can find various types of health insurance plans, including employer-sponsored plans, plans purchased through the health insurance marketplace, and government programs like Medicaid and Medicare. There are plans available that consider income, immigration status and other factors to help find the most affordable plan, so do some research before committing.
Healthcare providers
From general doctors to pediatricians to specialty providers to urgent care centers and hospitals, the US healthcare world has a wide variety of doctors available for whatever type of care you need. Do your best to know the type of options available to ensure you get the correct, most immediate care. A general doctor — known as a primary care physician — is often your first point of contact for a non-emergency situation.
Emergency care
In case of a medical emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance, or go to the nearest emergency room. Emergency rooms are often legally required to provide care regardless of insurance or immigration status. Remember that you will have to pay for any care you receive — but many hospitals offer payment plans and solutions for helping cover medical bills.
Access to care
Understand your rights to access healthcare services regardless of immigration status. Many communities have health centers and clinics that can provide services on a sliding payment scale depending on income, and sometimes even free health care to those who can’t afford it.
Language assistance
If English is not your primary language, be sure to bring along someone who can help, or ask the clinic or hospital for interpretation services. Patients often have the right to language assistance at healthcare facilities and there is often an interpreter on hand to help translate.
Preventative care
One way to ensure you cut down on medical costs is to look into preventative care options. Vaccines, screenings, annual check-ups and other preventative procedures — some of which are free or low-cost — can help detect health issues early and prevent serious illnesses.
Prescription medications
Medical professionals can decide you need medication — but they can’t hand it out. They’ll write a prescription, which will need to be filled at a pharmacy. Keep in mind that some medications will also need prior approval from an insurance company.
Patient rights
While the medical world is complicated, fortunately, patients usually have rights to their care, including the right to informed consent, confidentiality of medical information, and the right to appeal insurance claim denials. Know your rights and do the research to ensure you get compassionate care that is right for you at the right cost.
Resources
There are many community organizations, immigrant advocacy groups, government resources and healthcare providers available to help navigate the medical system, from making appointments to filling prescriptions to working with insurance companies. Take advantage of the many resources available to ensure you get the best possible care at the lowest cost to you and your family.
It can be a complicated system, but with some research, as well as help from outside sources, new US residents can better navigate the complexities of medical care and ensure you and your family’s health care needs are met.
DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only. Pangea and its affiliates do not provide legal, financial, investment or health advice.