If an American becomes sick or injured in a country with generous healthcare, what do they do? Walk into a hospital and receive treatment?

Question

Does the American’s US health insurance play any role? Will the person receive an invoice from the country they’re visiting?

And what about a person from a country with generous healthcare visiting the US? What/who do they pay?

In: 9

Answer 1

Obviously a complicated question, so very general answers –

1) American private insurance does *not* usually extend to overseas treatment. If you are traveling overseas as an American you may want to purchase separate “Travel Medical Insurance” which handles these types of scenarios.

2) Yes, they will be billing in accordance with the policies of the provider/nation they receive treatment in.

3) Nations that have public healthcare will often cover/negotiate on behalf of their citizen if they receive treatment in the States. Again, they might not cover everything 100% and travel medical insurance is something people should look into.