Vaccinations
No vaccinations are mandatory for entry to the USA. The CDC recommends being up-to-date on routine vaccines:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
- Hepatitis A & B — if not already vaccinated
- Flu shot — in season
- COVID-19 — current boosters
Hospitals vs Urgent Care
The US has a tiered medical system. Knowing where to go saves hours and thousands of dollars:
- Emergency Room (ER) — for genuine emergencies: chest pain, severe bleeding, broken bones, head injury, difficulty breathing. $2,000-15,000+ per visit. Open 24/7.
- Urgent Care clinic — for non-life-threatening issues: minor infections, sprains, fevers, cuts needing stitches, flu. $150-400 per visit. Open late but not 24/7. Chains: MinuteClinic (inside CVS), NextCare, CityMD.
- Primary Care / Walk-In — for non-urgent issues. Needs appointment, usually 1-2 days wait.
- Telehealth — video doctor visits. $30-75. Services: Teladoc, MDLIVE, Amwell. Good for prescriptions, advice.
💊 Urgent Care = your friend. For anything short of a real emergency, urgent care is 5-10x cheaper than an ER visit and the wait is usually shorter.
Pharmacies
Big pharmacy chains (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart Pharmacy) are everywhere. 24-hour locations in big cities. They sell:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription drugs (with valid prescription)
- Basic first aid
- Toiletries
- Vaccinations (flu shots, COVID boosters)
- MinuteClinic basic medical care inside CVS stores
Prescription Medications
- Bring your own in original containers with prescription or doctor's note
- Controlled substances (opioids, Adderall, Xanax) need extra documentation
- Lost/stolen: Visit a walk-in clinic or urgent care for emergency refill — may be expensive
- Getting a US prescription: Telehealth visits ($30-75) can prescribe most non-controlled medications
- GoodRx: Free app that discounts most prescriptions 30-90% — always check before paying
Emergency Care
Dial 911 for any medical emergency. Response times vary by area — typically 8-12 minutes in cities, longer in rural areas. Ambulance bills are separate from hospital bills and can be $1,200-3,000 (ground) or $20,000-60,000 (air). Travel insurance covers this; otherwise you pay out of pocket.
Cost Expectations
| Service | Typical Cost (uninsured) |
|---|---|
| Urgent care visit | $150-400 |
| ER — minor | $1,200-2,500 |
| ER — serious | $3,500-10,000 |
| Ambulance (ground) | $1,200-3,000 |
| X-ray | $100-1,000 |
| CT scan | $1,200-3,500 |
| Broken bone treatment | $3,500-8,000 |
| 3-day hospitalization | $30,000-60,000 |
💀 The real danger is cost, not care. US hospitals will treat you regardless of ability to pay, but you will receive life-altering bills afterward. Travel insurance is non-negotiable.
Health Hazards
- Heat: Southwest summers (40C+). Hydrate, SPF 50, avoid 11am-6pm outdoors.
- Cold: Northern winters. Frostbite is real. Layers essential.
- Altitude sickness: Denver, Colorado mountains, Grand Canyon (2,100m+). Acclimate slowly.
- Ticks & Lyme disease: Northeast and Midwest wooded areas. Check skin after hiking.
- Mosquitoes (Zika, West Nile): Rare, mostly Southeast in summer. DEET repellent.
- Bears: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier. Carry bear spray, make noise.
- Snakes: Southwest and South. Stay on trails, watch where you step.
See our travel insurance guide for coverage options.