You may have just arrived in the US as a recent immigrant, temporary worker on a work visa (H1B, L1, etc.), or an international student. As a US Newcomer, understanding the US health care system can be intimidating and overwhelming.
The United States doesn’t have a universal health care system like most other developed countries. Instead, the US health care system consists of a mix of employer-sponsored health insurance, government programs, and out-of-pocket payments by consumers.
Several private, public, and government-funded (federal and state) health care systems in the United States offer health care coverage to all citizens. These programs consist mainly of Medicare ( for older people and low-income retirees) and Medicaid (for the disabled and low-income people). Other programs include the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for children and TRICARE for military personnel and their families.
