Health
Care in Houston
Introduction
The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to understand, even
for Americans. New and pending legislation within the federal
government complicates matters even further. Seek advice of
trusted friends and relatives to learn about the best option
for your particular situation. The system in the States is one
of the best (and most expensive) in the world. Unusual health
hazards in the United States are rare; tap water, for example,
is safe to drink nationwide. The 911 or 0 (zero) emergency telephone
system is also widely available. Quality healthcare is available
everywhere in the country from a variety of sources. The key
lies in knowing the proper procedures and knowing where to go
for specific kinds of care. This knowledge can save an international
visitor significant amounts of time and money. Because healthcare
for a major accident or illness can cost hundreds of thousands
of dollars, most Americans have health insurance to minimize
the costs.
Houston
When looking for healthcare in Houston, there are a variety
of options available. There are 24 hour non-urgent care clinics,
emergency rooms, private physicians, and specialty clinics all
over Houston. With all of the choices available, deciding where
to go or who to see may seem intimidating. To help you make
an informed decision, consider asking a friend or coworker who
they see for healthcare. For convenience, consider finding a
healthcare provider close to your home or work. Healthcare in
the United States can be quite expensive, and all of these facilities
will require some form of insurance coverage or payment for
services rendered during the visit. It is important that you
become aware of your insurance provider’s specifications
for treatment before you need medical assistance. Also, if possible,
you should look at a variety of medical centers before deciding
upon one to provide you care. Questions to ask both your insurance
provider and the medical facility you are considering using
might include:
• What is my deductible (the amount of a loss that an
insurance policy holder has to pay out-of-pocket before reimbursement
begins in accordance with the coinsurance rate.)?
• Does this medical facility accept my insurance?
• What medical treatments/services are covered by my medical
insurance?
• Are there any pre-existing conditions that might limit
or restrict the amount of insurance I am able to obtain?
• Are my medications covered under my health insurance
plan, or will I need supplemental coverage?
• If I am covered by a Health Maintenance Organization
(HMO) and I use an out-of-network facility or physician (not
covered by insurance), how much will I be expected to pay?
• Do I pay the medical facility at the time of service
or am I billed? If I pay at the time of service, will my insurance
provider reimburse me?
Texas Medical Center
Three miles from the University of Houston
lies the Texas Medical Center. Established in the 1930’s,
this facility has grown and evolved over the years to become
one of the world’s finest medical centers. Over 42 member
institutions, including 13 hospitals and 2 specialized patient
facilities, make up the medical center. In 2004, 5.2 million
patients were treated by various members and facilities tied
to the medical center. Of that 5.2 million, 10,456 of those
patients were of international origin. The 6,344 bed Texas Medical
Center employs over 4,000 physicians, 11,000 registered nurses,
and assists with the training and education of over 22,000 students.
The University of Houston College of Pharmacy has a building
in the Center and Methodist Hospital, a part of the Medical
Center, has recently become affiliated with the University.
This partnership will increase the amount of medical research
performed at both institutions. Below are some links to facilities
in the Medical Center:
www.tmc.edu
www.texaschildrenshospital.org
www.methodisthealth.com
http://www.mdanderson.org
The University of Houston Health
Center
All faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students at the University
of Houston are eligible to utilize the convenience of the services
available at the Health Center. Housed in the Health Center
are Men’s and Women’s clinics, a pharmacy (with
prescription and over-the-counter medications), x-ray, psychiatric
care, and orthopedic services. The Health Center offers services
ranging from administering allergy shots to the suturing of
minor lacerations. While the specialty clinics are available
only to students, all faculty and staff are eligible to see
one of the Health Center’s physicians and receive the
care they need. We offer a Health Insurance Program endorsed
by and designed especially for the University of Houston. The
University of Houston strongly encourages all students to carry
health insurance, however insurance is not required to be seen
by our health care professionals. While faculty and staff are
not eligible for the student health insurance, they can see
a physician for a nominal fee of $35. The Health Center does
not accept outside insurance. Visit the Health Center on-line
at http://www.uh.edu/admin/hc/index.html.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not worry about
whether or not the hospital you are going to will accept your
insurance. Go to the nearest hospital or dial 911.
A good site on the web is http://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/pre-departure/insurance/index.shtml,
which provides information regarding insurance for international
visitors.
For information regarding Houston area hospitals/medical centers,
please go to http://houston.tx.mypages.com/Houston~hospitals~i10r10p4sdddfvvl.html?k=&l=Houston%2C+TX.
Of course, anyone can come to the University of Houston Health
Center, located at entrance 6 (six) off of Wheeler Blvd. Please
keep in mind, however, that the Health Center accepts only student
health insurance. If you have any questions or concerns, feel
free to call us at 713-743-5151.
Thank you and welcome to Houston!
