“Your health deserves Swiss quality, even in the USA.” – Pascal Fanti, Managing Director ASN
Secure international health insurance coverage of Swiss quality in your new home as well.
Request an insurance quote International health insurance for the USA
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Living in the USA for an extended period or travelling around the country is a dream come true for many people. However, the American healthcare system can quickly turn into a nightmare – and financial ruin. Anyone staying in the United States for longer than 12 months should therefore definitely look into health insurance. Without comprehensive cover, even the simplest treatments can put a strain on your wallet.
With international health insurance brokered by ASN, however, you are optimally protected even in the USA. You even benefit from worldwide coverage of Swiss quality – with transparent advice, comprehensive services and personal support in your language.
The healthcare system in the USA: what you should know before taking out insurance
The US healthcare system differs from that in Europe in many ways. The following points will help you understand why questions about healthcare and health insurance are particularly important in the USA.
No basic insurance
In the United States, there is no basic state insurance for the entire population as there is in Switzerland. Although there are state programmes such as Medicare and Medicaid, these only apply to certain population groups. Medical practices, hospitals and laboratories generally set their own prices. Those without health insurance usually have to pay for medical services entirely out of their own pocket, which can quickly lead to debts that threaten their livelihood. Depending on the treatment, hospital costs per day in the US can easily run into five figures.High costs
Even with health insurance, medical care in the US can quickly become very expensive. Many insurance models have a high excess (known as a deductible), which insured persons must pay themselves initially. In addition, copayments or percentage-based cost sharing (coinsurance) are often required.
Since the entire healthcare system is based on high prices, insurance premiums are also significantly higher than in other countries – regardless of which insurer you are with.
Expert tip from Pascal Fanti, Managing Director at ASN: “Set aside approximately twice the amount of your deductible so that you are not unpleasantly surprised by unexpected healthcare costs.”Network system
The American insurance system works differently than in most European countries. Here, so-called “networks” are used, within which pre-agreed prices apply. Only if you receive treatment at a facility that is part of your insurance network will the fixed price apply. This will then be covered directly and without any problems by your insurance company.
If you seek treatment outside the network, the prices can be much higher. In addition, you will have to pay upfront and then claim the money back afterwards (“pay & claim”). Depending on the treatment, this can quickly add up to several thousand dollars that you have to pay up front!
As an example, we received a bill for 205,000 USD for a three-day hospital stay. Our network negotiated the price down to 13,000 USD. It is still expensive but much more reasonable than the first bill.
“It’s sad, but in many ways the American healthcare system is like the Wild West. Without insurance with a solid network, you’ll be ripped off. So, when it comes to health, it’s better not to leave things to chance.” – Pascal Fanti, Managing Director ASN
International health insurance for the USA: overview of benefits
- Outpatient and inpatient treatment in the event of illness or accident: doctor’s visits, specialist consultations and hospital and clinic stays – worldwide
- Free choice of doctor and hospital:
- Within the USA: in recognised US networks (“in-network”) and, depending on the tariff, also outside the network (“out-of-network”) as reimbursement
- Outside the USA: coverage applies worldwide, so treatment in your home country, for example, is possible.
- Medication supply: prescribed medication and therapeutic agents
- Preventive care and check-ups: preventive examinations and screenings (depending on the policy)
- Maternity and childbirth: optional inclusion of pregnancy care, delivery and postnatal care for mother and child
- Coverage for newborns without a health check: depending on the tariff, newborns are included in the insurance without a health check after a specified coverage period for one or both parents.
- Dental and eye treatment: optional inclusion of dental treatment, dental hygiene, visual aids and ophthalmological services
- Rehabilitation and therapies: physiotherapy, rehabilitation measures and further treatment after an accident or illness
- Emergency transport and evacuation: (medically necessary) evacuation/repatriation to specialised centres or back to the home country
- Direct billing (where available): cost coverage guarantees and direct settlement with US hospitals within the network; alternatively, pay & claim with fast reimbursement
Your advantages with ASN in the United States
Over 30 years of experience and a strong partner network:
We are familiar with the specifics of the US and have partnerships with direct access to the best networks across the country. This means you can be sure that you are really well covered everywhere in the USA – and worldwide.
Swiss-quality advice in your language:
We offer personalised support in English, Swiss German/ German, French and Italian – before, during and after your move to the United States.
Independent product selection:
As a broker, we objectively compare several international insurers and recommend the solution that best suits your situation.
Lifetime renewable:
Once taken out, your international policy can be continued without age exclusion – for maximum planning security.
Special conditions and priority service:
Through selected partners, you benefit from exclusive conditions, network access and particularly fast processing.
Comprehensive support – even after completion:
From preliminary advice to policy issuance and claims settlement, we are always at your side, managing communication and processing with the insurer. So you can enjoy your stay abroad with peace of mind – and have to pay as little as possible in advance.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
Request a quoteInternational health insurance in the USA: 3 practical examples
Case 1: Treatment & medication
A Swiss woman moves to California and falls ill with a skin infection shortly after her arrival. The international health insurance taken out through ASN covers the full cost of treatment and medication.
With local US health insurance, she would have incurred considerable costs herself due to the excess and limits on prescription medication. In addition, the early use of benefits would have meant that the remaining insurance cover for the current insurance year would have been significantly reduced.
Choosing a policy with no maximum limits and no excess proved to be a decisive advantage in this situation.Case 2: Emergency surgery
A father has to undergo emergency appendectomy surgery in his new home of New York. Thanks to his international insurance network, the admission process goes smoothly and the bill is settled directly between the insurance company and the hospital. He can concentrate fully on visiting his loved ones – and on getting well again quickly.Case 3: Sick while visiting home
An emigrant family who have found a new home in Miami visit relatives in Switzerland. During their stay, their eldest child falls ill. No problem: the international policy is valid worldwide. If she wishes, the mother can also use the visit home to have a mole removed, which, according to her dermatologist, should be done sooner rather than later.
Long-term international health insurance for the USA: 4 tips
1. In the USA, more is more
Anyone moving to the USA for at least one year (or travelling there) needs reputable insurance that is part of an established and recognised network. Comprehensive cover is essential, including outpatient and inpatient treatment as well as preventive care, dental and eye treatment and, if necessary, maternity care. A limited policy – such as temporary travel health insurance for the USA – or health insurance with coverage limits is not sufficient.
“Please note: although there are cheaper insurance solutions for the USA, the maximum amounts for various services are comparatively lower. This means that you could quickly reach the maximum amount, for example for medication, after just two months. You would then have to pay everything out of your own pocket for ten months – and that can quickly become very expensive in the USA,” explains Pascal Fanti.
2. International is usually better than local.
When you emigrate, sooner or later the question arises: “Should I take out local or international health insurance?” As a rule, you are better off with international health insurance. One reason is that local insurance companies may not accept you due to your age or pre-existing conditions. For many expats, another decisive factor is that international insurance allows them to receive treatment in their home country at any time – and makes it easier to return later if they wish.
Plus: if you take out international health insurance through ASN as a Swiss provider, your contact persons will be familiar with both the local and the foreign systems. This means we can provide you with the best possible advice and support – in your own language.
3. Plan ahead.
Before taking out international health insurance for the USA, your individual situation and needs must be carefully assessed. Get in touch with us in good time. Six months to a year will give you enough time to review your options. You should then fill out the actual health declaration at the earliest three months in advance, as it will expire after that.
4. Factor health insurance into your budget
“I’ll be completely honest: there is no cheap insurance solution for America,” explains Pascal Fanti, Managing Director of ASN. “But if you go there, you need coverage that protects you reliably – self-payers don’t stand a chance in this system. I therefore recommend that you accept this fact and factor the cost of good health insurance into your budget in the same way as rent, utilities, any tuition fees and so on.”
Frequently asked questions about international health insurance in the USA:
Why is the US healthcare system so expensive?
In the USA, medical services are only regulated to a limited extent by the state, and there is no universal basic state insurance with uniform fixed rates. Instead, the healthcare system is largely organised according to market principles: hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies and other service providers generally set their own prices.
Does my Swiss health insurance cover my stay in the USA?
Only partially and for a limited period of time. For shorter stays – such as holiday trips – you are covered by basic insurance, but only up to twice the maximum amount according to Swiss rates, which is often not enough in the USA. You may be better covered by your supplementary insurance, but even then problems can arise, for example if your insurance company does not have the necessary network connections in the USA. Before travelling to the USA, find out exactly what is covered in an emergency and what you would need to do in a serious case.
For a longer stay in the USA (12 months or more), you will definitely need a more comprehensive solution – ideally international health insurance (sometimes also referred to as “long-term international health insurance”).
I have travel health insurance for the USA – is that enough for now?
No, if you are emigrating to the USA or at least want to stay there for a longer period of time, travel health insurance is not sufficient. Firstly, it only covers emergencies and secondly, it is limited in time. For this reason, you need to take out dedicated “long-term international insurance” for the USA, ideally international health insurance. Simply request a non-binding quote and we will be happy to advise you.
Can I take out local US insurance instead of international insurance?
In principle, this is possible. However, access to local US health insurance is not guaranteed in every case and may be restricted depending on the state, residence status and personal situation.
In addition, local policies do not usually offer worldwide insurance cover. With comparable coverage, they are often no cheaper than international health insurance solutions, especially when deductibles, benefit limits and co-payments are taken into account.
What does “deductible” mean?
The American “deductible” corresponds to the Swiss “franchise”, i.e. the amount you have to pay yourself each year for healthcare services before the insurance company covers the costs.
Pascal Fanti, Managing Director of ASN, recommends: “For healthcare expenses in the US, you should have approximately double the franchise amount available so that you don’t get any nasty surprises.”
How does cost coverage work in US hospitals?
International insurance companies with a US network – such as United Healthcare – work directly with clinics and doctors’ surgeries so that you do not have to pay upfront. If it is unavoidable that you receive treatment outside the network, you pay the amount upfront and are then reimbursed as quickly as possible (“pay & claim”). We at ASN are happy to handle this for you.
Tip from Pascal Fanti, Managing Director of ASN: “We recommend that you obtain healthcare services or medication from a facility in your insurance network whenever possible. This is usually much cheaper and less complicated.”
What if I move to the USA with my family?
We would be happy to arrange international policies for the whole family. You can find more information on our website for families.
Am I also covered outside the USA with international insurance?
Yes, the US insurance policies we arrange offer worldwide coverage – even when visiting your home country or travelling to other countries. If you wish to leave the US permanently – for example, to move to another country or return to your home country – simply let us know. Together, we will easily and flexibly adjust your insurance to suit your current needs.
How much does good international health insurance for the USA cost?
Premiums start at around £10,000/€10,000 per year for adults. The exact rate depends on your age and state of health, as well as the scope of benefits. Our tip: plan your health insurance realistically as a fixed cost – just like rent, a car or subscriptions. Simply request a non-binding quote at and we will be happy to explain which benefits are included at what price.
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