🇺🇸 United States · Healthcare
How the United States healthcare system works — public vs private care, eligibility, and costs for residents and visitors.
The US has no universal public healthcare; coverage is mostly private (employer plans or the ACA Marketplace at HealthCare.gov), with Medicare for those 65+ and Medicaid for low-income residents. Foreign nationals usually rely on employer or private insurance; lawfully-present immigrants can buy Marketplace plans but typically wait five years for Medicaid/Medicare. Care is costly without insurance.
- There is no universal system; most people are covered through an employer plan or buy coverage on the ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov).
- Medicare covers people aged 65+ (and some with disabilities); Medicaid covers low-income residents (rules vary by state).
- Foreign nationals usually need employer or private insurance; lawfully-present immigrants can use the Marketplace but often wait five years for Medicaid/Medicare.
- Out-of-pocket costs are high without coverage — confirm what your plan covers before treatment.
Official authorities
- HealthCare.gov (Health Insurance Marketplace)
Official federal marketplace to compare and buy coverage.
- Medicare (CMS)
Official federal health insurance for people 65+.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- The White House — Official residence and office of the US President — executive orders, policy briefings, press releases
- U.S. Department of State — US passport and visa services, travel warnings, embassy information worldwide
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — Federal tax filing, refund status, ITIN/EIN applications, and Free File program
- USCIS — Green card, H-1B and work visas, naturalization, immigration benefits, and case status