Hypothetical situation: a citizen of Norway, France, UK is vacationing in the US.

[raccoon]

She comes down with something contagious, or has an accident. How are her medical bills handled?

[SCantiGOP]

1. my guess

would be that they would be asked for insurance or to sign an agreement to pay the charges, but once they were out of the country I don't think there would be any realistic way to go after them.
Contrast that to Canada. I was up there on business several years ago and one of the people traveling with me was in a pretty serious taxi crash. He spent several days in the hospital, and never received a bill.

[shraby]

2. I have no idea, but my cousin's husband had medical

problems when they were in Italy vacationing which landed him in a hospital..it was all paid for by Italy.

[Horse with no Name]

3. She would be responsible for them

Most folks that travel here are aware of that and usually buy a short term policy in case that happens. There is always a fear that she wouldn't be able to find a hospital that would treat her.
Kind of like buying a special policy to drive in Mexico...protects you from being ripped off!

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. The same way they are in any other third world country. nt

(edit for typo)

[damntexdem]

9. Oh, no. Different from other 3rd world countries:

more efficient billing systems here.

;-)

[Altoid_Cyclist]

5. I might be wrong.

I think that my sister (who lives in Germany) said that they have to take out an insurance policy that will cover them while in the US.

I think that is what Michael Moore's relatives in Canada gave as the reason for having him travel to Canada to interview them. They didn't want to have to purchase the policy that would cover them while here.

[raccoon]

6. In that case, if I were them, I wouldn't come to the US in the first place,

not just to vacation anyway.

[YOY]

7. You are right.

Temporary health insurance is pretty common for travelers to the US.

[flor-de-jasmim]

8. It depends on the insurance in her home country.

I live in Denmark and took out travel insurance covering the U.S. Good thing, too. On the day I was to return to Europe I took ill and it was discovered I needed a pacemaker. The 5-day stay in the hospital (over $48,000!), plus medical bills, hotel bills, return travel (delayed to the volanic ash), food, local travel in the States, etc., were all covered. WHEW!

The cost of this coverage for the entire family? $300 (US) for an entire year.

[Swede]

10. I think Canadians are covered for everything they are covered for at home.

Extras like ambulances etc you should by extra travel insurance.