Visiting USA and visitors insurance
The previous example was for an American citizen with Insurance. Imagine what a huge bill you would get as a foreigner without insurance; remember that the person who sponsors you from the USA will be legally liable for this bill. For most emergency procedures, I would imagine it could run into $100,000 easily, especially if it involves a stay in the ICU. Many of the visitors from India are elderly parents and relatives with pre-existing conditions (not covered), if you have a heart attack, stroke or fall and break a hip you will need emergency treatment in the US and even before you realize it you will be in some Emergency Room or Trauma center. It is extremely important for all of us to be aware and try to take some preventive insurance against these unfortunate accidents. If I were in charge of visas I would mandate travel insurance just like my state here mandates that I obtain malpractice insurance before I practice medicine.
The most common ailments travelers may suffer from are Heart attack (MI), Stroke, Fractured limbs or Hip, and chest pain.
Here are some examples of cost of few healthcare precedures in the US. The cost of routine physician visit is very expensive in the US. The common ailments like Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperglycemia admitted to an emergency room would cost around $25,000. Stroke resulting in ICU for about 10 days would cost $120,000, Heart attack treatment with medical bills for ambulance, hospital emergency room, ICU, EKG and MRI heart scans and continuing care from cardiologists would cost about $20,000, The average treatment cost of acute kidney failure in the USA was over $22,000 in 2018. There are visitor insurance plans from INF cover these pre-existing medical ailments.
You can come prepared to a certain extent. Bring enough medications for your pre-existing diabetes and blood pressure, etc.
Ex-A plavix pill costs $ 5 per pill here compared to Rs 40 in India. You can also pack a kit for coughs, cold, and headaches, and include basic antibiotics. However, if you have the misfortune of landing in an Emergency Room you best bet by far is to have adequate travel insurance. A rule of thumb is to buy the maximum coverage you can afford.
