Part Three: Health Insurance and Medication

Health Insurance, and What to do if You Don't Have Any

Medical expenses are very expensive, especially if you are sick often, or if you have just one major illness or accident. Imagine if you needed treatment for a serious disease, or if you had an accident, and you found yourself with no way to pay for the treatment needed to save your life. Some hospitals will treat you anyway, but you may experience critical delays, less adequate service, and ultimately tens of thousands in medical bills that you will be responsible for paying. This is why people purchase Health Insurance. Each month, they pay a fee, called a premium to the insurance company. In return, the insurance company promises to cover their health care and medical expenses. Sometimes there is a deductible, meaning the amount you agree to pay on your own before the amount insurance will pay. Other plans have a co-pay, meaning that you might pay $15, $30 or $50 per visit, but the insurance company will pay the rest, no matter how much it is. 

In the US, there are three types of plans: Health Maintenance Organizations, or HMOs give you a list of doctors and hospitals you are allowed to go to. Generally, you must also always get permission to go to a specialist or to have any medical procedures done. Preferred Provider Organizations are similar, but much lest restrictive. Traditional "fee-for-service" or indemnity plans are the most liberal, where you go to any doctor you want, and get reimbursed for the charges.

Most full-time employers offer health insurance coverage. Usually, you are covered automatically, either with no or little financial contribution from you. If you are a student, most schools offer student discount plans. And if you are in any type of organized professional organization or union, they may offer coverage plans as well. Be sure to ask. And ask about coverage for your spouse and children if they are not covered under another plan (for example, through your spouse's employer).

If your employer does not offer medical insurance, or you are not employed or self-employed, you will want to shop around carefully for the best plan. Be sure to review what the plan has to offer, what it covers and what it does not. If you have special conditions such as heart trouble, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, stroke or anything else in your family history, review coverage on those conditions carefully. If there is any chance you could become pregnant again, make sure the plan covers maternity. Check out accident coverage and prescription drug coverage. Read all the details more than once. Make sure you know what your deductibles or co-pays are and what your monthly premiums will be. Calculate the expenses. If you travel a lot, make sure to find out what happens if you get ill away from home. Are you covered? And can you afford the health insurance premium? Or, more specifically, how will you arrange your finances to make sure you can afford it?

If you are and always have been in good health, and if you are young, without children, you may opt to get a plan that only covers accidents and critical care. This would be much less expensive. 

One thing that is important to remember is that, aside from certain specialized immigrant groups, such as asylees, most new immigrants are not easily eligible for government assisted health care. If you have a visa, or a new green card, you have made an oath to abstain from seeking public assistance, and will be expected, and often legally obligated to keep that oath. It's important that you take your health insurance needs seriously. Insurance Web, eHealthInsurance and Netquote  can help you shop around for the best plans. Search Google for "international health plans," and you will find health insurance for specific immigrant groups. 

If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing medical care when you have no health insurance coverage, hospitals will generally make payment plan arrangements with you. Another option to consider is teacher's hospitals, which are far cheaper than regular hospitals and often even free, despite a generally excellent level of care. The most important thing is that you not neglect your health, or the medical needs of your loved ones. 

Medication

There are two types of medication in the US. Prescription and non-prescription, otherwise known as over-the-counter or OTC. Prescription drugs are those that a doctor orders. The doctor will either give you a slip of paper to bring to the pharmacy, or will call it in to the pharmacy him or herself. Prescription drugs are generally stronger, more expensive and not legal without an prescription. Fortunately, health insurance usually covers most or all of a prescription expense.

Medications that you can buy yourself are usually weaker medications, for less serious conditions. Nevertheless, all medications are drugs, and so it's extremely important that you understand what you are taking, follow the dosage instructions and keep medication out of the reach of children. This goes for herbal and homeopathic (so-called "natural") remedies as well. If you are taking other drugs, read about the drug interactions, and if you have a medical condition, are pregnant or nursing, be sure to read the warnings to see if the drug is appropriate for you.

There are usually several brands of medication that can treat the same symptom. Often times, the generic or store brand will work just as well as the more famous ones. Carefully read the labels to see what symptoms the drug will treat and what the dosage is.

Pharmacies, drug stores, and some supermarkets or convenience stores sell over-the-counter drugs. They are definitely affordable and convenient, but remember, if you do not get better, your cough, headache or runny nose may be a sign of something more severe, and you should see a doctor.

The most common OTC drugs are for fever, pain and muscle aches (acetaminophen, Aspirin, ibuprofin), colds and coughs (decongestants, cough suppressants), allergies (antihistamines), stomach and bowel problems (bismuth, laxatives or antacids), and skin problems (hydrocortisone for itching, anti-bacterial or anti-fungal for infections, benzoyl peroxide for acne, bacitracin for burns). Birth control is another important item that, in some forms, can be purchased over the counter. When in doubt about what you need, be sure to consult the pharmacist. It is his or her job to assist you.

Go back to Part I: Social Security Card, Driver's License and Auto Insurance 
Go back to Part II: Bank Accounts, Credit and Taxes

Coming next: Finding a Place to Live: Rent, Buy, Sublet or Find a Roommate