Travel from Switzerland to the USA: how to properly insure your medical expenses

• Healthcare costs in the USA are very high and may require significant upfront payments.
• LAMal and Swiss supplementary insurance offer limited coverage for medical expenses incurred in the USA.
• The terms of coverage and guarantees in your insurance policy may be more limited than you think.

Overview of medical care in the USA: costs that reach new heights

You're used to the healthcare system in Switzerland. Forget everything you know. The healthcare model in the United States is unlike any other.

Some key benchmarks:

• Between $80 and $100 for a consultation with a general practitioner
• $800 per month on average for sufficient medical coverage
• Over $1,000 for a simple test like a blood sample
• Between $500 and $1,200 for ambulance transport
• Surgical intervention – such as an appendectomy – $10,000 to $35,000
• Medications, on average, twice as expensive as in Switzerland

As we can see, a medical emergency can put you at risk on every level: financial, practical, psychological. Adequate coverage is therefore essential for residents of Switzerland traveling across the Atlantic.

>> Discover our insurance options with medical expense coverage up to CHF 250,000 <<

>> Calculate your premium for your next trip to the USA for free<<

Why LAMal and Swiss supplementary insurance are not enough

Sachez-le, l’Office fédéral de la santé publique (OFSP) qui met en œuvre la Loi fédérale sur l'assurance-maladie (LAMal) ne dispose d’aucun accord bilatéral avec les États-Unis. Outre-Atlantique, la prise en charge des frais médicaux est donc très limitée pour les voyageurs qui viennent de Suisse.

Be aware that the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), which enforces the Federal Health Insurance Act (LAMal), has no bilateral agreement with the United States. Across the Atlantic, medical expense coverage is therefore very limited for travelers coming from Switzerland.

What LAMal covers:

• Only unforeseen emergency medical expenses in the United States, and in a very limited way — a restricted coverage that effectively excludes many common healthcare costs.
• Only up to twice the cost of care in Switzerland — a reimbursement ceiling that is often insufficient given the high costs of the American healthcare system..

What LAMal does not cover:

• Medical costs related to care considered “non-urgent”
• Medical repatriation expenses to Switzerland
• Scheduled treatments you had planned to receive in the United States

Have you taken out supplementary insurance and think you’re protected? Pay attention to the specifics of your insurance policy. There are still exclusions and limits, even with a premium plan.

Swiss credit card: a false friend in the United States?

Beware of misconceptions about credit cards. Your Visa, Mastercard, Swisscard, Viseca won’t open every door in the USA. The included guarantees are often limited, the coverage caps numerous, and the conditions and exclusions poorly understood. The trap is not checking in advance.

A few key points to watch out for:

• Maximum reimbursement amount often below CHF 11,000
• Exclusion of pre-existing conditions not considered unforeseen
• No coverage for certain additional costs: repatriation, extended hospital stays, ambulance transport
• No guarantee to cover upfront medical expenses incurred locally
• No reimbursement if supporting documents are missing or non-compliant
• Coverage limited to the credit card holder only, not to accompanying travelers

And the list is not exhaustive, as Emma always reminds her clients: “Many of these exclusions are unknown, and unpleasant surprises are common. Sometimes you have to read between the lines and in the footnotes of your contract. Most travelers don’t check their coverage when planning their trip, and then it’s too late to act. It’s often essential to take out supplementary insurance or travel insurance that covers the United States for full protection, including hospitalization and repatriation costs.”

How to choose the right travel insurance for the USA

What are the essential criteria to consider for a worry-free trip to the United States? A good dedicated travel insurance policy should protect you against real risks, offer broad coverage, and be fully transparent. The insurance market is highly competitive, so careful selection is necessary and calls for utmost vigilance.

Travel insurance checklist

Essential basic criteria:

• A coverage limit of at least CHF 250,000
• Coverage of medical and hospitalization expenses
• Medical repatriation

Additional criteria that make a difference:

• Coverage for all beneficiaries of the insurance policy
• 24/7 assistance line based in Switzerland
• Support with administrative procedures
• Full case management up to reimbursement

Want to travel to the United States with peace of mind? Find our full range of Europ Assistance travel insurance online. Before making your decision, you can first calculate your travel insurance premium for free. You can also tailor the plan according to the duration and purpose of your stay (vacation, work, studies).

Please note: our travel insurance can be purchased up to one day before your departure, even for a trip that has already been booked and paid for.