What happens if a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance?
Asked by: Prof. Alyce Erdman DDS | Last update: October 8, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (35 votes)
Can you go to a hospital in the USA without insurance?
If you have a serious medical problem, hospitals must treat you regardless of whether you have insurance. This includes situations that meet the definition of an emergency. Some situations may not be considered true emergencies, such as: Going to the ER for non-life-threatening care.
What happens if a foreigner goes to the hospital in the US?
The Reality of Healthcare Accessibility for Foreigners
In the United States, healthcare is not free for citizens or foreigners. The U.S. healthcare system is primarily privatized, meaning that most healthcare services require payment, either out-of-pocket or through insurance.
Do tourists have to pay medical bills in the USA?
Since the United States does not have universal healthcare, visitors to the United States will be left paying out-of-pocket for medical expenses if they don't have travel medical insurance or have additional expenses that aren't eligible for coverage to pay for.
Can a tourist get medical treatment in the USA?
If you require medical care while visiting the U.S., there are several options for seeking treatment. You can visit an urgent care center, walk-in clinic, or hospital emergency room for immediate medical needs.
What Happens If A Tourist Gets Sick In The USA? - CountyOffice.org
What happens if you can't pay for medical treatment in USA?
You can take steps to make sure that the medical bill is correctly calculated and that you get any available financial or necessary legal help. If you do nothing and don't pay, you could be facing late fees and interest, debt collection, lawsuits, garnishments, and lower credit scores.
Do tourists need health insurance in USA?
Nationalized or government sponsored health plans rarely provide adequate coverage for visitors for injuries or illnesses that occur in the United States, which is why it's important to get travel medical insurance.
What happens if a tourist gets sick in the US?
If a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance, they are responsible for covering all medical expenses out of pocket. Healthcare in the USA is expensive, and even basic treatments or emergency services can result in significant bills.
How much is a doctor visit without insurance in us?
While health insurance policies differ, most will require a 10 to 50-dollar copay for primary care visits. Alternatively, primary care visits without insurance can range from 150 to 300 dollars just for the doctor visit.
Is there a penalty for no health insurance in the US?
The fee for not having health insurance (sometimes called the "Shared Responsibility Payment" or "mandate”) ended in 2018. This means you no longer pay a tax penalty for not having health coverage. If you don't have health coverage, you don't need an exemption to avoid paying a tax penalty.
Do foreigners get free healthcare in the US?
Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in federally funded coverage including Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare or to purchase coverage through the ACA Marketplaces.
What happens if I need to go to the hospital in America?
US hospitals are required to provide emergency life saving medical care regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Emergency rooms are only required to treat true emergencies and only if the patient comes on their own as opposed to taking an ambulance.
What happens if I don't pay my hospital bill as a foreigner?
Yes, unpaid medical bills can affect your future immigration status and entry eligibility back in the United States. You may be seen as a public charge if you have outstanding U.S. medical bills when applying for a specific status when coming back to the United States, which can lead to the denial of your application.
What happens if you don't have health insurance in USA?
Being uninsured or underinsured does not mean there are no avenues to get health coverage. Hospitals that accept federal money must provide a certain amount of free or reduced fee care. Check with the hospital's financial aid department to see if you qualify for reduced or charity care.
Can a foreigner go to the hospital in the US?
You will need to apply through your local U.S. embassy or consulate. To succeed in obtaining a B-2 visitor visa, you will need to show that this treatment is medically necessary and unavailable in your home country, as well as prove that that you can afford to pay the often extremely high costs of U.S. healthcare.
How much is a hospital bill without insurance USA?
In 2021, the average hospital stay cost $13,262. Aside from surgery costs, the type of treatment needed while hospitalized can increase costs dramatically. For instance, an average stay for septicemia can top $19,000.
What happens if I go to the ER without insurance?
Despite the financial hurdles, uninsured emergency patients are provided with legal safeguards. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
Is emergency care free in the USA?
You'll be charged afterwards, whether you can pay or not. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law passed in 1986, requires anyone coming to a hospital emergency room to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
Will a doctor see you without insurance?
Even if you don't have health insurance, it's still possible to see a healthcare provider; however, it may come at a fee. There are clinics that cater to the uninsured, known as cash-only clinics, concierge clinics, or direct care providers.
What should I do if I get sick while traveling?
Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.
Do tourists have to pay medical bills in the US?
The U.S. government does not provide health benefits to citizens or visitors. Any time you get medical care, someone has to pay for it. Healthcare is very expensive. According to a U.S. government website, if you break your leg, you could end up with a bill for $7,500.
Is health insurance mandatory for visitors to the USA?
American Visitors Insurance it not required for visitors to enter the country, however, when you do travel outside of your home country, it's advised to get insurance as your home country insurance may offer limited to no coverage once you leave your home country.
Can I go to USA without insurance?
While travel insurance is a compulsory requirement for visiting some countries and territories, the USA is not one of them. But that doesn't mean it's not worth taking out.
How much does visitor health insurance cost in the USA?
The cost for best travel insurance for USA visitors ranges from $16 to $150 a month The price varies based on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage, deductible for the plan, visitors coverage type (Fixed vs comprehensive coverage), and the visitors insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions..
Is insurance required for U.S. tourist visa?
Buy USA Travel Insurance
The short answer is no. Purchasing travel insurance is not mandatory for entering the United States as a tourist on a B1/B2 visa. There are currently no U.S. travel insurance requirements for tourists.