Overview of US Health Care System  

You may be unfamiliar with the way the health care system works in the United States or have concerns about health care costs and health insurance.  We hope this introduction will help you feel more comfortable accessing care when you need it and making health care choices that will preserve your budget.

General philosophy of western medicine

Western medicine takes an analytical approach toward identifying the biomedical cause of health problems.  By using the objective results of medical tests (laboratory and/or x-ray) and your description of the symptoms experienced, the health care provider works to identify the specific biomedical cause of your health problem.  Once a diagnosis is made (often through a process of ruling out other causes) a treatment is prescribed to address the problem area.

Prevention first

Since there are many ways to reduce the incidence of some health problems from occurring, western medicine and culture also place a good deal of emphasis on preventive care and taking certain precautions to protect your health through exercise, diet, healthy sleep practices, routine screening for certain illnesses or conditions, personal hygiene, immunizations, public sanitation, and other health promotion practices.  Gannett’s providers also know that for most illnesses and injuries the sooner you receive health care after noticing symptoms of illness, the more quickly you can recover; and the less likely you will be to develop complications or more severe health conditions. 

Levels of care

In the US, there are several levels of health care available for your assistance, depending upon the nature and severity of your health concern or problem, these include:

1. Primary Care: For most illnesses, injuries and preventive health care, people usually go first to their primary care provider. For students, their spouses/partners, and children over the age of 14, Gannett is your primary-care provider. Gannett provides many of the same functions that a health practitioner or family doctor in your home country offered.  Students who have children under the age of 14 can be seen by one of the Ithaca community pediatricians.
2. Specialized Care: Gannett provides some specialty medical services on site (such as physical therapy, travel services, sexual health care, laboratory and x-ray, allergy shots, and a full-service pharmacy); helps you access medical specialists (such as dermatologists, obstetricians, pediatricians or orthopedic physicians), and resources in the community when you require this level of health care.
3. After-hours Urgent Care: When urgent health concerns arise after Gannett’s regular working hours, students may call Gannett at (607)255-5155 for consultation, advice, and if needed, referral for care in the community. The Convenient Care Center is located at the intersection of Warren Road and Route 13 in Lansing. It is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and is equipped to treat patients of all ages for illnesses and injuries (such as ear, throat, and respiratory infections; bronchitis; flu and virus; sprains and strains; and minor injuries). The Emergency Department at Cayuga Medical Center is located in the hospital at 101 Dates Drive 24 hours a day. If you need transportation, Gannett has arrangements with Ithaca taxi companies to allow students to charge their fare for a ride to Gannett or another health care facility to their bursar bills
4. Emergency Care: For life-threatening health problems (such as heart attack, serious traumatic injuries, breathing problems, high fever, serious burns, or alcohol poisoning), you can go directly to the Emergency Department of Cayuga Medical Center.  An ambulance should only be used when emergency medical procedures may be required in route to the hospital.  The fee charged for an ambulance can start at several hundred dollars, and will only be covered by health insurance when you have a very serious health problem.  For urgent, but non-life-threatening health problems, there are less expensive forms of transportation (see “After-hours Urgent Care.”) available if you do not have access to a car. 
   Hospitalization
   
   The Cayuga Medical Center (101 Dates Dr.) offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient services including: surgery; behavioral health (mental health) services; a progressive approach to birthing options, comfort management for mothers and new babies;  pediatric care for sick children; and a medical rehabilitation unit for people recovering from major multiple trauma, head injury and stroke. Outpatient services may be offered in two locations (the Medical Center and the Convenient Care Center) and include outpatient or same-day surgery, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services, and diagnostic radiological testing, from routine x-rays to MRI.

The cost of health care

Unlike countries with nationalized health care, fees are charged for all health services received in the U.S. Generally speaking, the most reasonable or least expensive way to receive high quality health care is through your primary health care provider (e.g., Gannett). The cost of health care provided at each level up from that increases incrementally with “emergency care and hospital care” being the most costly. Having health insurance is essential for students, their spouses and children to help cover these costs and to protect your financial security. For more information, see “Understanding Health Insurance.”