Basics Of Us Health Insurance: Beginner's Guide And Faqs
In the United States, health insurance is an indispensable part of life, especially for new immigrants, international students and temporary workers. It is particularly important to understand the basics of health insurance. The high cost of medical care means that people without insurance may face huge financial pressure once they suffer from serious illness or serious trauma. This article will help everyone better understand and choose a health insurance plan that suits them through case analysis, beginner's guide and FAQs.
I.Types of medical insurance in the United States
1.Commercial private health insurance: Most Americans purchase commercial health insurance through their employers or on their own. These insurance plans usually cover the costs of doctor's office visits, hospitalization, surgery and prescription drugs.
2.Social health insurance (Medicare and Medicaid): Medicare is mainly for people over 65 years old and people with disabilities, while Medicaid is for low-income families and individuals.
3.Obamacare:the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aims to provide affordable health insurance for all Americans. All people with legal residency in the United States are required to purchase insurance.Features: Insurance companies cannot refuse insurance due to pre-existing diseases, and provide subsidies and tax breaks for low-income people.
II.Major medical insurance plans
1.HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Low premiums, but limited choice of doctors and hospitals, and referrals are required from health insurance doctors.
2.PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Higher premiums, but more choices of doctors and hospitals, and you can see specialists without referrals.
3.EPO (Elected Provider Organization): Lower premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, but only within the designated network.
4.POS (Point-of-Service Organization): Combines the features of HMO and PPO, providing more options and lower costs.
III.FAQ
Q1: How do new immigrants buy health insurance?
A1: New immigrants can buy health insurance through the Obamacare market platform, insurance brokerage companies, or directly contact health insurance companies. Note that new immigrants are usually not eligible for Medicaid.
Q2: How are Obamacare premiums calculated?
A2: Obamacare premiums are related to the plan category (bronze, silver, gold, platinum). The higher the premium, the lower the out-of-pocket ratio. In addition, premiums are also affected by factors such as personal age, health status and income.
Q3: If I already have a disease, can I still buy health insurance?
A3: Under Obamacare, insurance companies cannot refuse to cover due to pre-existing diseases. However, it should be noted that some insurance plans may have restrictions or exclusions on the coverage of certain diseases.
IV.Case Study
Mr. Li is a Chinese who has just arrived in the United States to work. As he was new to the United States, he did not purchase health insurance in time. An accidental fall caused him to have a serious fracture, requiring emergency surgery and long-term rehabilitation. Without health insurance, Mr. Li had to bear medical expenses of up to hundreds of thousands of dollars on his own, almost exhausting all his savings.
Mr. Li should buy health insurance as soon as possible after arriving in the United States to avoid similar financial risks.Understand Obamacare (ACA): Obamacare provides subsidies to eligible individuals to help reduce insurance costs. Choose a suitable insurance plan: According to your personal health status and budget, choose a health insurance plan with wide coverage and reasonable premiums.
V.conclusion
The US health insurance system is complex and diverse, and choosing the right health insurance plan is crucial to protecting the financial security of individuals and families. By understanding different types of health insurance, the characteristics and purchase methods of Obamacare, and answering common questions, new immigrants and international students can better cope with medical challenges in the United States. Remember, timely purchase of health insurance and understanding of insurance terms are the key to avoiding medical financial difficulties.