It is a vacation time and also a good time to travel to United Stated for business. Soon, students will also start preparing to arrive in the land of opportunities for their academic pursuits.America is a great country but one thing will hit you first, from the time of landing, that she is a true capitalist economy. Some thing which we take for granted i.e. cart to carry luggage at the airport. Well you may end up paying US 2-3 dollars for the cart, depending upon which airport you are landing. Of Course the Airports are clean and elegant. The Visa Officer will smile at you and will welcome you to United States but soon you will realize that you will be spending money on every thing, perhaps except for water and restrooms. No sooner you are out of the airport and if you are lucky, you will be greeted by your family members / office colleague, so you may get a free ride home. But if you are like us, when we arrived in USA, we had to do every thing on our own. Hunting for a cab to a grocery store, to a Medicine shop. Now you have to do every thing on your own, so what you were rich and famous in your native country. Welcome to America. Welcome to Self Help world. Welcome to the country where there is ‘No Free Lunch’ well, for almost every thing. Cheers and welcome to the most advanced country on planet earth!
Sure, we all have image and impression of America. What our friends have told, what we have seen in Hollywood movies, growing up watching. For students coming for under-grad or graduate studies (F1 / J1), they adapt well into the American culture. For workers coming on H1B or L1 Visa, they also kind of settle fast well as they have peer groups to take care of initial needs. I am sure, for rest of the population coming to America, experiences a big shock, some time quite intimidating. Well, I would avoid general statement here but would seriously recommend the following to carry or do before landing into America or soon after landing here.
1. House Search: Google a couple of options and you may get a house of your choice in your budget
2. Social Security Number (SSN): Once you are sure of your address, be it office or stay, immediately apply for Social Security Number. Your local SSN office could be searched through Google
3. Mobile Phone: Based on your Visa status, you can get your mobile phone immediately. Remember, for better post paid plan, it is good to have SSN. Go for GSM phones as CDMA phones will not deliver your SMS to your native country, where network is based on GSM. AT&T and T-Mobile are good mobile options in America.
4. Grocery Store: Hunt your nearest grocery store. They are your life line. You will get tired eating Pasta / Pizza and Burger. Home food will give smile on your face for sure.
5. Driving License: Indeed, carry your International Driving License. It will help you drive till you get your USA Driving License. Some states like NJ will not ask you to go for driving test if you have a valid International License from your country, say India.
6. Bank Account and Credit Card: This should also be done within first week of arrival in United States. Based on your passport, bank will open a Checking or Savings account. Start with checking account. If you have dealt with Citi or HSBC banks in your host country, then you may get your Credit Card also fast, so carry your past credit card statements. To get a Credit Card is a big challenge in America. Without a Credit Card, you will not be able to build a credit history and without your credit history, you will not get a Credit Card in USA. It is like ‘an egg or chicken’ situation, which every immigrant to America face.
Well, if you have done these 6 things in your first 15 days of your arrival, then you are kind of ready to roll and explore new America. It is a process driven country hence you will never face problems in getting things done that is within the Policy Framework.
However, it is important for me to high-light that 6 steps mentioned above will not be required, should you be coming to United States for a short trip or for meeting your relatives on B1-B2 Visa. I am sure, your friends and relatives will take care most of your needs. But it is pertinent to share with you that one thing you must carry before entering United States i.e. Your Health Insurance Policy.
What ever your age or back-ground (student / Tourists or Professionals), coming to United Stated without adequate Travel Medical Health Insurance is like going to Mount Everest without Oxygen. America is a clean county with very high-end of medical advancements but it is extremely expensive county for any kind of health related treatment. Unlike your native country (say India), where Doctors could be available on a phone call, in America that is not possible. Since medical expenses are high, you may not be in position to bear the cost, should you fall sick. Trust me, even your family members, however close they are (even if they are doctors) will not be able to help you or bear your medical cost, should you fall sick.
Consider this
For a trip to a doc for a normal check-up, (of course after appointment perhaps next week), you may spend over USD 300/-. Unlike India, most of the critical drugs are available through Prescription only, which means you will have to visit a doctor to get that small piece of Prescription to get your medicine. Again the drugs are very-very expensive. God forbid, should you need to be taken to emergency room, you may get a bill of USD 3000/- plus for say 2 hrs of stay there. Incase, you need to be hospitalized then God only knows what will be the bill. It could be as high as USD 10,000/-. Can you really afford that?
I know, a lot of people tell me that one is fit and fine. I am going to States for 10 days only, so why do I need to carry a Medical Insurance with me? Well, matter of fact is that USA weather can change 3 times in a day. It is sunny now, but could start raining in the afternoon or you may witness wind speed never experienced in your life before. Please understand that America has extreme weather across 50 states vis-à-vis your native country. So, even if you are fit and resourceful, you are strongly advised to carry a Travel Medical Insurance before coming to this beautiful country. Change of weather could impact your health without warning and trust me you would not want to fall sick here.
Your Heath Insurance options
Fortunately, now you have many options to choose from to get a decent travel insurance policy for United States. Incase you are coming from India then you may want to check-out Bajaj Allianz / Tata-AIG / ICICI Lombard. Or if you don’t want to waste your time searching all insurance company website for a good plan then an easier way is to compare and buy your choice policy from India InsuranceMall (Click Travel).
Incase, you are going to stay long in United States, say 60 days plus, then I would recommend you American Global Health Plans. They are perfect for students, H1 workers and old visitors above age 65. You could compare, buy and print your choice policy from USA InsuranceMall (Click Visitor).
Here is a 6 point quick summary on virtues of taking Health Insurance for America
1. Medical cost in America is very steep. Let Insurance Company bare that risk not you.
2. Doctors are not available on call. In the emergencies your Insurance Company could help
3. American Emergency Rooms are available for all on 24X7, but post treatment bill could be unbearable for you or your loved ones. Focus on trip than on paying bills.
4. Very few medicines are OTC (over the counter) in America, so you will need a doctor for prescription drugs. They are expensive.
5. For J1 / F1 and H1 Visa holders, it is mandatory to have Health Insurance in USA
6. Your Indian Overseas Travel or American Global Health Insurance is available online at InsuranceMall
I am sure if you are prepared for your journey then trip to United States will be a memorable one. It is an amazing country. People are friendly and wealth all around, will sure impress you. Do visit USA as she is worth visiting once in a life time. Just prepare a bit before arriving here.
Buy Insurance. Stay Safe.
Cheers!
Manish Jaiswal
for
InsuranceMall I Opener
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