An Overview of the American

Healthcare System
By Stephanie Buga|July, 3, 2019|Healthcare

Compared to other countries, the United States system of healthcare is

considered to be complex. The U.S. does not provide universal healthcare
for its citizens. Instead, there are a number of private and public institutions
in place which pay for the healthcare of U.S. citizens. This post will provide
a basic understanding of the U.S. healthcare system for those interested in
practicing medicine in the U.S.

While the U.S. does not have a national healthcare system, there are
private and public options. For those who can afford private healthcare,
health insurance is an option. Health insurance companies are considered
payers. They pay for the healthcare of the insured. Insurance companies
have networks of physicians, hospitals, and clinics which subsidize
payments for the insured.

On a healthcare insurance plan, people pay a fee each month to ensure

coverage while the insurance company pays for the rest. Visiting a doctor
that is not included in the insurance network might require you to pay more
out-of-pocket. Physicians, hospitals, and clinics are paid through the
insurance companies. Often, there is a lot of documentation involved.
Health insurance ensures people can go to the doctor, receive preventative
or emergency care whenever they need it at a reasonable cost.

Many employers provide health insurance for their employees. Employers

can subsidize the cost of a plan or pay for it in full.

While there is a large population of Americans who have private insurance,

there are still many without access to health insurance. According to the
2007 U.S Census, almost 46 million people lack health insurance.
Government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid provide funding
for these individuals although coverage and options may be less extensive
when compared to that of private insurance plans.
30% of the population is covered by Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Medicare is a national, government-funded social insurance program for
seniors 65 years old or older and for some people with disabilities.
Medicaid is a state-based insurance program for people with low income.