System of Medical Insurance in the USA

In 1964, Johnson Lyndon, the 36th Democratic President of the United States established state health insurance Medicare and a program aimed to provide the necessary assistance to the poor citizens of the USA known as Medicaid. It’s how health insurance became compulsory. According to the Affordable Care Act, every American must have health insurance. Those US citizens who don’t have medical insurance will pay a fine.

Does US Health Insurance Provide Free Health Care?

Some think that health insurance is completely free in the USA. It isn’t so. US health insurance covers the part of the cost, but given the high cost of medical services, this is your safety net against excessively high costs. As Americans, themselves joke, buying insurance actually insures against ruin. For example, if you have insurance, an ambulance call will cost you $ 240, but if there is no insurance, you will have to pay an average of $ 5000. There are several ways on how to obtain health insurance. Consider them at www.mymedicare.org/ to make a well-informed choice.

How Can You Get Health Insurance?

  • Poor people, people with disabilities, and unemployed are covered by the government (Medicaid).
  • If there is income, but low, and the employer does not pay you insurance, you will have to purchase it yourself, but part of the insurance premiums will be compensated by the state.
  • If you work, the employer may pay for your insurance partially or in full. This is much more profitable than an independent purchase.
  • Business owners and those for whom the employer does not pay insurance should buy insurance at their own expense.
  • People under 26 can take out insurance together with their parents.
  • For people over 65, there is government-subsidized Medicare insurance.

Have you lost a card or want to get a new one with other insurance conditions? Before asking “Replace my Medicare card”, learn more about the differences between available options.

What Types of Insurance Can You Choose From?

Want to get health insurance? Then, go to healthcare.gov. You’ll find all the necessary information about the available options, the description of their distinctive features, and prices. There are 2 types of insurance policies: HMO and PPO.

  1. The first one is Health maintenance organizations. This one gives an opportunity to get treatment only in the definite medical institutions, which aren’t many. If choosing this policy, you won’t be able to see a private healthcare specialist.
  2. The second one is the Preferred provider organizations. This policy provides more advantages. An owner of the PPO can choose the specialist he or she wants to see. But there are certain things to keep in mind as well. The chosen hospital must have an agreement with your insurance company.

Have you chosen one of the two options above? The next step is to identify which health insurance plan will work best for you. There are 5 of them: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Minimal. The first one is the most advantageous, which covers 90% of your expenses. However, you need to take into account that monthly payments for these benefits will be higher compared to other insurance plans. Each following plan covers 10% less than the previous one. The Minimal is the one that covers basic medical services. Consider their prices and features to make the right choice.