Medical - Hospitals, Clinics, Emergency Rooms

If you need to see a physician, it is best to make an appointment first. Remember to bring your Health & Safety pocket guide that has your insurance ID Card. Once in the waiting room you'll have to fill out a form with your name, address, social security number and information regarding your health insurance. You will also be required to pay a copay for your visit so be prepared to pay for this at the time of your visit. Unless you need emergency treatment, it is best NOT to go to a hospital "Emergency Room" to see a doctor. You should use these facilities for emergencies only as they tend to be quite costly.

If a doctor treats you for a non-emergency, you may have to pay the bill first and then file a claim with the insurance company for reimbursement. It is therefore important to keep careful records and receipts of all medical services. Please see your insurance booklet for a claim form.

As in most countries, medical fees will vary depending on the doctor, the type of facility, and its location in the country. In certain areas of the country, especially large cities, medical care will be significantly more expensive. When you have established yourself in an area it is a good idea to find a private doctor. Once you have your job placement and address of where you will be staying in the US, you should locate some doctors and a hospital in your area that are part of the AETNA network. You can easily find Doctors in the AETNA network by clicking on the DocFind link provided here or by visiting www.ciee.org/insurance. You can also contact CIEE at 1-888-268-6245.

"Walk-in clinics" have sprung up all around the country in recent years. They offer an alternative to seeing a private physician or going to a hospital emergency room. They tend to be less costly, and for people who do not have a continuing relationship with a doctor they can be a good choice.

If you are hospitalized for an emergency you should contact CIEE immediately. Please make sure to have the policy number and emergency phone numbers easily accessible so others can find them if necessary.

Please also refer to the web-links on the right for specialized search-engines through which you can find physicians and hospitals in your area.