In the US, medical care is not free, though there are a few special government health plans that provide insurance support to certain groups, such as low-income families and seniors.
In most cases, those in the US have their healthcare partially covered through their employer.
Medical care in the UK is provided by the National Health Service (NHS), and it is government-funded and free for all residents.
In the UK, it’s not unusual to go your entire life without paying a single medical bill.
Though the care I received under the NHS while living in Scotland was high quality, both my husband and I have noticed that wait times for appointments and treatment under the NHS can vary wildly depending on the circumstances.
In April 2018, I developed a non-life-threatening health issue that required an appointment with a specialist. I was placed on a waiting list and was eventually seen in January 2019, nearly a year and a half later.
In contrast, when my husband was diagnosed with a serious health problem in 2018, he was brought in for treatment and continued care within 24 hours.
On the bright side, in the UK, there are no stacks of insurance forms to fill out or claims to navigate.
