Medical Costs in the USA: How to Protect Yourself While Travelling

The United States and healthcare

Heading to the United States means opening yourself up to an extraordinary adventure... but also facing the reality of a healthcare system known for its eye-watering prices.

For Belgian travellers, every trip across the Atlantic carries a real financial risk if a medical issue arises: an emergency hospitalisation can quickly exceed $10,000, and a standard consultation can cost as much as a city trip in Europe.
This practical guide takes you through the right habits, precise figures, and first-hand accounts so you can travel to the USA without stress... and without unpleasant surprises for your health budget.

Laureen, a specialist in all things USA, explains: “If there's one thing you want to avoid at all costs on holiday, it's falling ill. Especially if you're in the United States, because medical costs there are exorbitant. That's actually why Belgian health insurance funds have removed reimbursement of US medical costs from their plans. So keep that in mind before you leave, and remember to take out suitable supplementary insurance.”

An overview of healthcare in the USA: costs beyond belief

In the United States, the quality of medical facilities and care is well recognised, but it's the size of the bills that surprises Belgian travellers most. A few benchmarks:

• A simple consultation with a GP costs, on average, between $80 and $100.
• Even a minor test, such as a blood test, can sometimes exceed $1,000.
• Ambulance fees start at around $500 and can easily reach $1,200.
• Hospitalisation can cost several thousand, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars, especially in an emergency or for an MRI-type scan.

“A large number of Americans don't always have good health insurance. That's why patients are often asked to pay a deposit as soon as they're admitted to a medical centre or hospital (usually via a credit card), followed by the remaining balance after treatment. ... So keep all your bills and proof of payment so you can later submit them to your (travel) insurer,” Laureen explains.

Faced with such figures, American hospitals systematically require proof of solvency (a credit card or solid insurance certificate) before agreeing to treat a foreign patient.

Without suitable cover, there's no avoiding the financial shock. An unexpected medical episode in the USA can quickly turn a trip into a financial headache.

Laureen shares a few concrete examples of very high medical bills:

• “An American undergoing cancer treatment went to a family party in Seattle. After feeling unwell during the evening, he was rushed to hospital. The bill for one night in the emergency room came to $10,000!
• A Belgian woman who married an American and settled with him in the United States had to pay a monthly premium of $800 for the first few years to have sufficient health cover!”

Why Belgian health insurance isn't enough: understanding the limits and exclusions

Unlike European destinations, Belgium has no bilateral agreement with the United States for covering medical costs. If a health problem arises across the Atlantic, your health insurance fund will only step in up to Belgian rate scales, which is a fraction of the real cost of American healthcare. A hospitalisation or medical consultation, which can run into several thousand dollars, won't be fully covered: in practice, reimbursement remains very low, or even nil for certain procedures.

Without an agreement in place, you'll generally need to pay all the costs upfront, then submit a reimbursement claim once you're back – a process that rarely results in a proper reimbursement, and which comes with many exclusions (non-urgent procedures, unjustified hospitalisation, missing or non-compliant supporting documents). Only dedicated travel insurance for abroad can genuinely protect you against these risks and provide direct cover in the event of a medical emergency in the United States.

Credit cards: watch out for pitfalls and misconceptions

Many Belgian travellers think they're protected by the cover included with their credit card. However, these policies come with many little-known limits, conditions and exclusions. Cover from a bank card, even a premium one (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, etc.), imposes strict limits: a maximum compensation amount often below €11,000 for a hospitalisation, cover only if the transport or trip was paid for with that specific card, exclusion of pre-existing conditions, and, in many cases, no advance payment of costs.

Note: the card won't cover all your medical costs, nor medical repatriation, nor related expenses (ambulance, in-depth diagnostics, extended stay). Also bear in mind that some bank cards only cover the cardholder, and not travelling companions.

Travel insurance: selection criteria and essential cover

To travel to the United States with peace of mind, it's essential to take out travel insurance offering medical expenses cover of at least €300,000 – the recommended ceiling can go up to €1 million for optimal security (or an "unlimited" ceiling).

The cover to prioritise includes: medical and hospitalisation expenses in the event of an emergency, medical repatriation, and protection of your luggage against theft or destruction.

Redion offers policies with real added value: direct payment of costs, 24/7 assistance, help with administrative procedures, and full management of your case through to reimbursement. You can adapt the plan according to the length and purpose of your stay (holiday, work, studies), while checking the ceilings and exclusions. Make sure your insurance covers the United States!

Note: if you already hold a Smart, Sport or VIP assistance contract covering Europe only, it's possible to request a temporary extension of your cover for a stay in the United States. Check with Redion before you leave.

Checklist before taking out a policy:

• Recommended ceiling for medical expenses (≥ €300,000)
• Medical repatriation covered
• Medical expenses paid directly or reimbursed
• Cover for all beneficiaries under the contract
• 24/7 travel assistance

Key point: without dedicated, properly sized travel insurance, any stay in the USA exposes you to significant financial risk, even for minor incidents.

So it's essential to read the general terms and conditions, check the ceiling amounts, and consider travel insurance specific to the USA to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Checklist before leaving for the USA

• Before you leave, check the official information for Belgian travellers on the website of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.
• Remember to register on the Travellers Online platform: this free registration lets the Belgian authorities contact you and assist you quickly in an emergency during your stay abroad
• Check the compensation ceilings of your bank card and ask for a written certificate of the cover it provides.
• Contact your health insurance fund to clarify the procedure in the event of a medical issue, and find out the applicable rate scales.
• Arrange for a medical certificate of your state of health if you have any ongoing conditions.
• If you're travelling with medication, read the tips in the article /fr/blog/voyager-medicaments
• Print all the necessary supporting documents: international health insurance certificate, proof of payment for the trip, emergency numbers. Are you a Redion customer? You can request proof of travel insurance via the client area on https://www.redion.be
• Save the emergency number that lets you get help abroad in your phone. Remember the right steps to take: in a medical emergency, first get treated by local emergency services or a hospital. Then notify your insurer as soon as possible, to ensure proper assistance and cover.
• Don't forget to check the cover for your loved ones (family, children).
• Apply for your ESTA in good time: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

One last tip from Laureen: “If you want non-urgent, first-line medical advice without having to see a doctor, you'll often find help at CVS Health, the largest American pharmacy chain, as well as at Walgreens. Walmart supermarkets also have a large pharmacy with specialised staff.”

First published: 09/2014 - Updated: 09/2025