Healthcare insurance United States

Healthcare in the United States is very different to that in the Netherlands. There’s no countrywide national health insurance in the US and costs can be extremely high. Whether you’re going to the US for work, to study or for an extended stay, good health healthcare insurance is indispensable. Important: Without insurance, hospitalisation can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Below, you’ll find an explanation of how the healthcare system in America works and what options you have to take to get insured.

If you’re going to the US for work you often take out healthcare insurance through your employer, you can also opt for:

• A local US insurer, or 
• International insurance, for example, from OOM Verzekeringen

• There are national rules, but each state also has its own regulations 
• There’s no general public healthcare system that covers all residents 
• Healthcare costs vary widely between providers and are often higher than in the Netherlands 

• The employer then pays most or all of the insurance premium
• Citizens often still have to pay a high personal contribution per treatment
• Medicaid (varies by state) is available for low-income or vulnerable people. For some chronically ill patients, Medicare is available. These are government programmes that partially or fully reimburses medical expenses
  
  

The US has national rules, but each state also has its own regulations and insurance provision. Access to government programmes, such as Medicaid, also varies per state. It’s important to check carefully which rules apply in the state where you live.

If you remain registered in the Netherlands, your Dutch national health insurance will cover emergency care anywhere in the world up to a maximum of the cost in the Netherlands. Dutch national health insurance generally doesn’t reimburse the cost of repatriation or evacuation in the case of illness or an accident.  If you’re no longer registered in the Netherlands, you’re no longer entitled to Dutch national health insurance and you must arrange your own insurance.  

Healthcare in the United States can be quite different to what you’re used to in the Netherlands. Not every country has national health insurance, there may be strict rules and waiting times may apply. Healthcare costs can also be much higher than in the Netherlands. Without proper cover, this can leave you with unexpectedly high bills. 

With OOM, you don't have to worry. We’ll make sure everything is properly taken care of. 

We’re here for people with extraordinary stories, who want to be well insured. We always offer a solution that will suit your situation during your stay in the United States. 

Our healthcare insurance gives you certainty when Dutch national health insurance no longer applies or doesn’t provide sufficient cover. Your OOM insurance can also serve as a supplement to local insurance in the United States. Providing you with proper cover for costs outside your local policy. This is especially important in a country where the rules are different to in the Netherlands, or healthcare costs can be unexpectedly high. 

With OOM Healthcare insurance you can: 

• Insure yourself while staying abroad: If your Dutch national health insurance expires and you can’t or don’t want to use the local healthcare system, our international healthcare insurance provides you with the certainty you’re looking for
• Insure yourself while you wait for your local insurance to come through
• Get additional insurance if your Dutch national health insurance or local public insurance are not enough

OOM's insurance is for anyone who wants to be properly insured in the United States. Whether you’re only staying abroad temporarily or permanently emigrating. Our solutions suit different situations, such as: 

• Expats and entrepreneurs going to the United States for work, or who need insurance to be able to register locally
• Dutch nationals who do not have, or who are no longer entitled to Dutch national health insurance 
• Students and travellers temporarily staying in the United States
• Emigrants permanently settling in the United States
• Backpackers or global travellers who want to avoid unexpected costs during their adventure in the United States

OOM provides worldwide cover and helps you avoid unexpected bills. This is reassuring in a country where healthcare is regulated differently than in the Netherlands. 

Choosing OOM means choosing certainty that travels with you. Wherever you are in the world:

• Worldwide cover: Including if you visit the Netherlands or travel while living abroad
• Always available: Our Assistance Centre is available 24/7
• Tailor-made: You choose the cover that best suits your situation
• Extra certainty: Supplement your insurance easily with additional options, such as household contents, personal accident or liability insurance

With OOM you can arrange your own healthcare insurance quickly and effectively. Helping you focus on your plans in the United States, without unexpected worries.

Do you want to start your adventure without worry? You can calculate your premium easily online and apply for your insurance immediately.  

If you’ve any questions, our team will be happy to help you.

According to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United States is currently code green. This means you can safely travel to the country. Please be aware of regional differences and current developments, such as extreme weather conditions or forest fires in certain states during the summer months. Such situations can impact the accessibility of medical facilities locally. However, health services generally continue to function well.