1. Take care of your dental health before emigrating, as general healthcare insurance in the United States typically does not cover dental treatment. It is recommended to have a dental check-up at the clinic six months prior to emigrating, to treat cavities, remove tartar, and eliminate any oral health risks.
2. Avoid hospitalization unless absolutely necessary. When doctors recommend hospitalization, ask them to provide alternative treatment options, such as going to a mobile surgical center. Such centers can treat over 1,500 types of ailments and even perform surgeries based on the severity of the condition without requiring hospitalization.
3. There are various types of hospitals in the United States. Choose a suitable hospital based on your medical condition and financial means; for example, the charges at for-profit hospitals are 25% higher than those at non-profit hospitals (like county hospitals). Of course, certain financial criteria must be met to receive treatment at county hospitals.
Furthermore, teaching hospitals with high-tech medical equipment generally charge much more than non-teaching hospitals. Therefore, consider selecting a hospital based on your condition and convenience.
4. Be strategic about your hospitalization timing. Hospitals do not perform any treatment during weekends and major holidays (such as Thanksgiving and Christmas), so being hospitalized during these times would waste the expensive room rent. Additionally, immigration experts indicate that hospitalization costs are calculated on a daily basis, and hospitals have set time periods for charging; thus, pay attention to not exceed this time when discharging to avoid paying for an extra day's rent.
5. Purchase necessary items for your hospitalization outside the hospital. Items sold or rented in the hospital or its retail shops, including medications, are considerably more expensive than in regular stores.
6. Check your bills for errors. Naturally, the best strategy is to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep a positive mindset to ensure good health.