Why are doctor visits in the USA so expensive?
Here are some examples of the costs one might face in case of illness:
- Medical repatriation: between €60,000 and €90,000
- One day in intensive care: up to €13,000
- A simple allergy test at the doctor’s office: up to €2,500
- Visiting the emergency room of a hospital: €1,300
- A root canal at the dentist: €1,200
- An aspirin tablet: up to €2
- Antibiotics: up to €5
Medical care in the USA is excellent. However, tourists without travel insurance who fall ill or have an accident during their trip must dig deep into their pockets for a doctor’s visit.
Reasons for the high costs include cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatment methods. In the case of unsuccessful treatment, patients can claim very high compensation under American law. As a result, the risk is directly transferred to the final product. Practicing doctors must take out expensive professional liability insurance to protect themselves against the increased risk of patient lawsuits. Furthermore, there are no legally fixed rates in the USA. This means that doctors and hospitals can calculate treatments individually.
Important information: Entry requirements for the USA
A decree has been issued stating that nationals of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen are not allowed to enter the USA.
Up-to-date information on the topic:
Austrian Foreign Ministry: www.bmeia.gv.at/reise-aufenthalt/reiseinformation/land/vereinigte-staaten
Further information:
US Embassy Austria: https://at.usembassy.gov/de
It is advisable to check these pages before your trip!
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