 It is advisable to read your health insurance policy carefully, especially the section that explains "exclusions," so that you will know in advance what the insurance company will pay for and what it will not pay for. Read the following information to know some areas that are generally not covered by basic health insurance plans:
Maternity care: You must buy insurance for maternity care separately and, usually, before pregnancy occurs. Most maternity insurance policies allow only two days' hospital stay.
Dental services: If you need dental work done, it is better to have it taken care of before arriving in the United States.
Eyeglasses: If you wear eyeglasses, have your eyes examined before you coming to US and bring an extra pair of glasses and the prescription (written in English) with you. Eye care is generally not covered by health insurance except in the case of injury to the eye.
Existing conditions: A lot of insurance companies will not reimburse you for treatment of a condition that existed prior to the effective date of your insurance policy. Look closely at any insurance policies you are considering if you require care for an ongoing medical condition. Keep in mind that medical care in the United States can be very expensive without insurance.
Prescription medications: Many insurance companies do not offer coverage for prescription medications, which can be rather expensive in the US. Even if they do offer some coverage, they usually require a "copayment" or standard fee (often $10 to $15) from you for each prescription on a monthly basis.
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