Coverage is not automatic
There is no single national health system in the U.S. Most people are covered through an employer, a school plan or a plan they buy themselves. Arriving in the country does not enroll you in anything.
Check what your visa expects
Some visa categories come with their own insurance requirements. J-1 exchange visitors must hold minimum coverage, and many universities require F-1 students to join the school plan or show equivalent cover.
Learn the words on the bill
The premium is what you pay each month. The deductible is what you pay before the plan starts paying. Copays, coinsurance and the out-of-pocket maximum decide what a visit really costs you.
Stay in network
Plans negotiate prices with a network of doctors and hospitals. Seeing someone outside that network can cost far more, so check before you book, not after the bill arrives.
Close the gap
Employer plans can have a waiting period, and Marketplace enrollment windows are time-limited. Arrange short-term or travel cover for the weeks between landing and your main plan starting.
What to do with this
Build premiums and a realistic deductible into your first-year budget, then confirm your options with your employer, your school or a licensed insurance broker before you arrive.
