What to Do During a Medical Emergency in the USA

Travelling abroad is often seen as a time to relax and explore. But for a 34-year-old tourist from Nepal, a simple vacation to the United States turned into a costly medical and financial crisis — all because visitor insurance was skipped to save money.

This case study highlights how even non-life-threatening accidents can become overwhelming in countries with expensive healthcare systems like the U.S.

Visitor Profile

• Age: 34

• Country: Nepal

• Visa Type: Tourist Visa

• Purpose of Visit: Vacation and visiting relatives

• Visitor Insurance: ❌ Not taken (skipped to save money)

The Incident: A Road Accident Abroad

While crossing the road in the U.S., the visitor was hit by a car. Bystanders immediately called emergency services, and he was transported by ambulance to a nearby trauma center.

What followed was standard emergency care — but at extraordinarily high costs.

Medical Treatment Provided

The hospital carried out the following procedures:

• Emergency ambulance service

• CT scans and X-rays

• Surgery for a fractured leg

• 3-day hospital stay for monitoring and recovery

The treatment was necessary and effective — but the billing came as a severe shock.

The Total Medical Bill

💰 USD 67,000
(approximately ₹55 lakh)

The Unexpected Shock

• Ambulance charges alone: USD 4,500

• The hospital demanded an upfront deposit before surgery, as the patient had no insurance

In the U.S., uninsured patients are often required to pay deposits before non-life-saving procedures — something many international visitors are unaware of.

What Went Wrong?

• ❌ No visitor medical insurance

• ❌ Classified as a self-pay patient

• ❌ No insurer to negotiate or guarantee payments

• ❌ Immediate financial pressure on relatives

Final Outcome: Forced to Leave Early

To manage the crisis:

• Relatives in the U.S. paid a partial amount

• The remaining balance was sent to a collection agency

• The visitor was forced to cut short the trip and return to Nepal early

What was meant to be a memorable vacation ended with financial stress, medical debt, and emotional trauma.

The Missed Protection: Visitor Insurance

👉 If visitor insurance had been taken:

• Emergency accident treatment would have been covered

• Hospitalisation and surgery expenses would be included

• Ambulance and diagnostic costs would be reimbursed

• No upfront deposit pressure on family

A low-cost insurance policy could have prevented months — or years — of financial recovery.

Key Lessons for International Tourists

• Accidents can happen anywhere — even during routine activities

• U.S. healthcare costs are among the highest in the world

• Ambulance charges alone can exceed the cost of an entire trip

• Visitor insurance is not optional, it is essential protection

Why This Case Study Matters

At Secure Safar, we see many cases where travellers try to save a small amount on insurance — only to face massive, avoidable losses later.

Visitor insurance is not about pessimism.
It’s about planning responsibly for the unexpected.

Planning to Travel to the U.S.?

Make sure visitor medical insurance is arranged before departure — because once an accident happens, insurance cannot be added later.