Health insurance in the USA
60 days of USA cover per year for expats
Access any clinic
Skip wait times, get the best care.
Visa-compliant coverage
Documents available instantly.
Top rated: 4.8/5
On 2500+ reviews.
Why get private health insurance in the US?
The US spends more on healthcare than any country on earth, and there's no universal public system to fall back on. Medicare needs five years' residency, Medicaid bars most immigrants for five years, and tourists are shut out entirely. As a newcomer, you're on your own.
And the bills are like nowhere else. Without cover, a GP visit costs $225+ (€194), and a hospital day $7,000+ (€6,020).
There's a legal angle too: J-1 and F-1 visas require medical insurance just to enter the country.
How does the healthcare system work in the USA?
A patchwork health system
There's no single public payer in the US. Most people get coverage through an employer; the rest come through Medicaid (for low incomes), Medicare (65+), the government insurance Marketplace, or go uninsured. Immigrants on most work and study visas can buy a Marketplace plan, but tourists can't, and the public programs are off-limits to newcomers for years.
US pharmacies & medication
There are around 88,000 pharmacies nationwide (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, Kroger), many of which are open 24/7 in big cities. English is universal, and Spanish is widely supported in states like California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Even with insurance, you'll pay something at the counter (more for brand-name drugs), and apps like GoodRx can help bring the price down.
Emergency services in the United States
Dial 911 anywhere in the US for police, fire, or an ambulance. Response times average 7–10 minutes in cities and longer in rural areas, with interpretation available in 200+ languages. By law, an ER must stabilize you regardless of your insurance, but you'll still get the bill afterward, and an air ambulance alone can cost more than $50,000 (€43,000).
Get global health insurance that works in the United States (up to 60 days per year)
Plans from €210/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in the United States?
US care costs are unmatched. Uninsured, a GP visit runs about $225 (€194), a specialist $375 (€323), a minor ER trip $2,250 (€1,935), a hospital day $7,000 (€6,020), and an MRI $3,000 (€2,580).
Public healthcare in the US
There's no universal solution. A small Medicare payroll tax (2.9% of wages, split with your employer) comes out of your pay, but it doesn't buy you coverage as a newcomer. Employer-sponsored plans average $8,951 (€7,700) a year for an individual and $25,572 (€22,000) for a family, while a mid-tier Marketplace plan runs about $477 (€410) a month for a 40-year-old before subsidies.
Private medical insurance
Feather's plans start at €210/month for Essential and €315/month for Plus, with outpatient, dental, maternity, and medical evacuation coverage. Feather's plans cover travel to the States (limited to 60 days per calendar year). Coverage in the USA is strictly for medical emergencies and accidents; planned or elective treatments are not covered.
How does Feather's international health insurance work?
Choose your plan
Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.
Get your documents instantly
Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.
Visit any doctor
See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital in the US. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.
Upload your bill in the app
Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.
Get reimbursed to your account
We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.
Cancel anytime after year one
There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.
Join 200,000+ expats covered with Feather
Get global medical coverage in under 5 minutes.
Why choose Feather?
200,000+ happy customers
Experience insurance crafted by expats, for expats.
100,000+ claims processed
Paid out in three weeks on average.
4.8 Star rating
On over 2,500 reviews.
English-speaking support
Our team speaks your language.
All digital
Sign up, file claims, and manage your policy in our app.
Privacy first
Your data is stored securely in Europe.
Don't take our word for it
Dajana was amazing
“She answered all our questions and provided clear and detailed responses to ensure we select the proper coverage. The whole experience was perfect! I am confident I made the right choice going with Feather!”
Mascia
I trust them. No BS.
“They don't sugar coat the insurances, if they don't provide the best option, they would help you understand what's the best one.”
Michal
Super helpful
“The representative answered my questions clearly and helped me make sure I was aware of my options! This was the perfect fit for my situation as an expat looking for a job in Spain and needing temporary coverage.”
Erin
Sorted your health insurance yet?
Takes 2 minutes. From €210 per month. 4.8/5 rated on over 2,500 reviews.
