Travelling in the United States: the Importance of Healthcare Coverage

In this two-year period of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been able to recognize, once again, the importance of accessibility to the National Health System: in fact, we often forget that we are lucky to have access to the most advanced treatment for any type of illness, even with all the limitations and shortcomings that are revealed daily in the public health system.

One of the most striking examples of the difficulty of medical care for those without private insurance in the United States.

The US healthcare system

In the US, there is no central health service guaranteeing all citizens the same care, but there is a public system divided into two macro-categories:

– Medicaid is aimed at people in need who make up about 11% of the total population.

– Medicare is dedicated to people over 65 and the disabled, who make up about 15% of the population.

For those who are not in these two categories, it is necessary to take out private health cover, either individually or through one’s employer.

One of the key steps of the Obama administration was the presentation of a reform of the healthcare system, with the aim of creating a fair system – with the adoption of the Affordable Care Act – to enable all US citizens to have access to medical care and basic healthcare coverage.

How important coverage is for travellers

Since the costs of any doctor’s visits or hospitalisation in the event of hospitalisation are substantial, taking out a health insurance policy before travelling overseas is really recommended.

There are a multitude of products on the market offered by various insurance companies, including Europ Assistance, with coverage that guarantees continuous assistance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the possibility of having medical advice by telephone, referral to a specialist doctor abroad, medical return to Italy if necessary, and medical expenses, in the event of an accident or illness, with the company covering these expenses, including pharmaceutical and hospital expenses.

For further information do not hesitate to contact us!