How does medicine work in Europe and the USA: what do tourists and expats need to know?

The healthcare system is one of the most important areas of life, reflecting the level of well-being of society and the priorities of the state. Find out how medicine works in Europe and the USA: what financing principles apply in different countries, how health insurance is organized, how much treatment costs, and what advantages and disadvantages each system has

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The healthcare system is one of the most important social spheres, reflecting the overall level of development and well-being of the country. For many migrants, students or travelers, the issue of medical care becomes the main one when choosing a place to live. The European Union and the United States of America have powerful, but completely different models of healthcare systems.

We tell you how medicine works in the EU and the USA in this material.

Planning a trip abroad? Get reliable medical insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal.

The healthcare system in the European Union is available to everyone

The healthcare system in the EU is built on the principle of universal access, where every citizen or resident has the right to basic medical care.

In most countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, etc.), state or mixed financing is in effect - this means that services are paid for through taxes or mandatory contributions to health insurance funds. For example, in Germany, employees pay about 14-15% of their salary to the health fund, and the state guarantees access to treatment in both public and private clinics.

In addition, each country has its own model of healthcare management, including:

1. In Poland, the National Health Fund (NFZ) is responsible for the healthcare system. It collects contributions and pays for treatment in public institutions.

2. In the Czech Republic, there are state insurance funds to which citizens pay mandatory contributions.

Key features of the EU healthcare system

- The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to receive assistance when traveling throughout the EU.

- Public hospitals provide most services free of charge or with a minimal co-payment. Usually, the patient first consults a family doctor, who, if necessary, refers to a specialist. This approach helps control the costs of the system, but it also has disadvantages - queues, bureaucracy and staff shortages.

- Private medicine is used for faster service or increased comfort.

In general, healthcare in the EU is a balance between accessibility, quality and the social responsibility of the state to its citizens.

Read about what insurance is required to enter the Schengen zone and how to avoid visa refusal at the link.

Medicine in the USA - an innovative but expensive system

The American healthcare model is built completely differently. It is based on private health insurance, which is most often provided by employers. If a person loses his job or works for himself, he is forced to buy an insurance policy on his own - often at a fairly high price. The state participates in financing medicine only for certain categories of the population:

- Medicare - for people over 65 or with disabilities;

- Medicaid - for the low-income;

- VA (Veterans Affairs) - for veterans.

It is also worth noting that insurance determines the level of access to medical services. Without a policy, even basic treatment can cost thousands of dollars, so an insurance policy is actually a vital necessity.

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The USA spends about 18% of GDP on medicine - this is one of the most expensive systems in the world. At the same time, it is one of the most developed: American clinics use advanced technologies, highly accurate diagnostics, and offer extremely fast service for those with proper insurance coverage.

Thus, American medicine is a combination of quality, innovation, and high cost.

We told you more about how to choose the right insurance policy for traveling abroad in a previous article.

EU vs USA: Key differences in healthcare approaches

While both Europe and America strive to provide high-quality healthcare, the approaches of these systems differ dramatically.

In the European Union, healthcare is largely funded by the state or through mandatory insurance contributions. This ensures universal access to treatment, lower costs and social protection for all residents.

In the USA, on the contrary, private financing prevails. People gain access to services depending on the availability of insurance, and without it, prices can be very high. The American system is distinguished by an extraordinary level of technology and rapid implementation of innovations, but at the same time remains less accessible to socially vulnerable segments of the population.

In other words, the European model is about accessibility and equality, while the American model is about innovation and quality, but at a high price, especially without insurance.

Read what travel insurance abroad covers on our website.

Medicine in the EU and the USA is developing in different ways, but has a common goal - preserving people's health.

The European system guarantees stability and social support, while the American one offers the latest technologies, but requires financial readiness. For foreigners planning to work, study or live for a long time, it is important to find out in advance the rules for accessing medicine and arrange appropriate insurance.

Planning to move or travel to the EU or the USA?

Reliable medical insurance is not just a formality, but your protection against unforeseen expenses.

Apply for a policy online on the Visit Ukraine portal and get access to quality care in any country in the world.

Let us remind you! Ukrainians often face a number of questions when they need to apply for medical insurance for traveling abroad. What does the policy cover, which one is better to choose and whether it is possible to extend the insurance while already abroad are just some of them. Answers to the most frequently asked questions about insurance in the Visit Ukraine material at the link.

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