Medical care is provided by the private sector. There is no government-run health care. General Practitioners (GPs) provide the bulk of the first-line medical care.
Medical care can be provided to the indigent at public hospitals. The care may be adequate, but the wait will be long.
There are several types of medical insurance:
Major Medical
These plans allow patients to see any doctor, pay for the medical services and submit the bill to the insurance company for reimbursement. Most plans have an amount you must pay out-of-pocket ("deductible") before they reimburse the patient. Additionally, they only reimburse a portion of the medical fee.
These types of plans (often called indemnity plans) were once quite common and have gone out of favour because of their high cost.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
HMOs are medical corporations that provide healthcare. The patient selects a GP from the HMOs list of providers. This GP becomes the patient's PCP (Primary Care Physician). The PCP is the gatekeeper to other medical care. The patient may only see a Specialist Physician who the GP recommends, and this doctor will belong to the same medical corporation. There is usually a small fee for a doctor's visit. Hospitalization, when recommended by your PCP at an HMO hospital, is usually free.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
PPOs are networks of physicians, hospitals and small group practices, individal practitioners or clinics that have agreed with insurance companies to charge set fees for particular services. The patient may contact a Specialist Physician without a GP referral. If you see a doctor within the PPO system, you pay one fee, if you see a doctor outside the PPO system (called "out of network"), you will be reimbursed a smaller amount.
It can be difficult finding a physician regardless of what type of insurance you have. Many doctors have full practices and do not accept new patients. Ask your colleagues whom they suggest. If you have trouble finding a physician who will take you, contact your HR department and see if they can give you a referral.
There are many types of hospitals ranging from small community hospitals to teaching hospitals, where medical doctors are trained. Teaching hospitals often have the best medical services and the most up-to-date equipment.
Prescription medications are rigidly controlled. Many drugs which may be available over-the-counter elsewhere require a doctor's prescription.
Health Advisories
- For specific health information and advisories, please see the CDC Web site.
- Most health risks in the U.S. can be avoided by exercising common sense.
- Food preparation hygiene standards are excellent. Food and tap water are safe; however you will see many individuals drinking bottled water.
HospitalsThere are far too many hospitals to list. The health insurance you have may determine which hospital you will have access to. Otherwise, the physician will be affiliated with one or more hospitals and you may be able to choose among them. In general, major cities will have many hospitals to select from.
The following hospitals have been rated as very good:
California
- UCLA Medical Center, Tel.: 310-794-0625
- Stanford University Hospital, Tel.: 650-723-4000
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center, Tel.: 415-476-9000
Illinois
- University of Chicago Hospitals, Tel.: 888-824-0200
Maryland
- John Hopkins Medical Center, Tel.: 410-955-9411
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Tel.: 617-726-6200
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Tel.: 617-732-5500
Michigan
- University of Michigan Medical Center (Ann Arbor), Tel.: 734-936-4000
Minnesota
- Mayo Clinic, Tel.: 507-284-2511
Missouri
- Barnes Jewish Hospital, Tel.: 314-747-3000
New York
- New York Presbyterian Hospital, Tel.: 877-697-9355
North Carolina
- Duke University Medical Center, Tel.: 919-416-3853
Ohio
- Cleveland Clinic, Tel.: 216-444-2000
Pennsylvania
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Tel.: 800-789-7366
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Tel.: 412-673-8762
Washington
- University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle), Tel.: 206-598-3300
