Healthcare and U.S. Medical System
International Services Office
At Scripps Research, we are committed to providing comprehensive, affordable and customizable benefits for our eligible employees and students. Our total rewards package includes benefits that meet the essential health needs of employees and their dependents, and help secure a strong financial future and enhance wellbeing.
Navigating the healthcare and medical system in the United States can be complicated, but the International Services Office and the Benefits Administration Office at Scripps Research are here to help.
Choosing a Doctor or Hospital
Your insurance should provide a list of doctors and hospitals that your insurance will allow you to use. Please confirm with your insurance where your coverage will be accepted and choose a doctor and a hospital before you get sick. Some insurance does not specify which doctors to use, in which case, you will need to do some research online and ask friends and colleagues for their recommendations. Some insurance will not cover costs if you do not use one of their preferred doctors or hospitals. Most insurance companies have the information online.
To find a doctor, you may want to ask your colleagues and friends what doctor they use. You can also use online search engines to review the background of doctors in the area by searching for “best doctors in San Diego/Jupiter.”
Most importantly, be prepared. Be sure you understand what to do if you get sick and identify the closest “Urgent Care” (non-life-threatening) or “Emergency Room” (life-threatening) facility near you.
Obtaining Medication
Over-the-counter medicine is also known as OTC or non-prescription medicine. These terms refer to medicine that you can buy without seeing a doctor and without a prescription from a doctor. In the U.S, most pharmacies are found inside common stores, such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart or CVS. OTC drugs are safe and effective when you follow the directions on the label and use as directed. Typically, OTC drugs are used to treat headaches and pain, cold and flu symptoms, seasonal allergies and upset stomach.
If you are taking prescription medications on a regular basis, it might be best to bring as much medication as you can with you to the U.S to help you with the transition, until you are able to establish a physician who can write you a prescription. Some types of medication can be expensive, especially if it is not covered by your insurance. Additionally, medication that is a “controlled substance” will need a prescription from a medical doctor. Medications that are controlled may vary from country to country, so you may need to ask a pharmacist in the U.S if a medication requires a prescription from a doctor.
If you have any questions or concerns about over-the-counter or prescription medicines, you can always speak to the pharmacist on duty in any of these stores at no charge. The pharmacist is typically located behind the counter at the pharmacy. They are able to consult with you on your symptoms and recommend over-the-counter medicines that might help.
Health Insurance Providers
If you receive health insurance benefits from Scripps Research, please visit the Benefits webpage for more information. If you receive health insurance benefits from Scripps Research, you can contact the Benefits Office any time you have questions about health care or other Scripps Research benefits.
If you are not paid by Scripps Research and/or you do not receive health insurance benefits from Scripps Research, there are many health insurance companies and insurance brokers who serve international students and scholars in the U.S. from whom you can purchase insurance. For J-1 scholars, you must meet the health insurance requirements for the J-1 program. However, regardless of your visa status, the ISO strongly recommends that you arrange health insurance coverage for yourself and any dependents while you are in the U.S. For a sample list of health insurance providers, please see our Sample List of Health Insurance Companies. The first company listed — ITG Worldwide Insurance — is an insurance broker that will help you find the best insurance option that fits with your individual situation, and many Scripps Research scholars like their services. However, all of the companies listed on the webpage are worth exploring.
Making an Appointment with a Doctor
Coronavirus Doctor Appointments
Many people are concerned about contracting the Coronavirus, especially through international travel. If you or a family member is inside the US and concerned about symptoms of illness that could be related to the Coronavirus, please call the hospital before going there. The hospital will discuss your symptoms and whether it is better to come to the hospital or stay home. If the hospital instructs you to go to the hospital in person, the hospital will then be able to prepare for your arrival, to minimize contact with other patients. For more information about Coronavirus policies at Scripps Research from outside the US, see our external webpage. For more information for current international visitors at Scripps Research, see our internal webpage.
General Doctor Appointments
There are three main ways to get medical attention in the US:
- Regular Appointments: If you do not have an urgent situation, you should make an appointment with a doctor for a later date. If you have insurance through Scripps Research, you are often limited to appointments with specific doctors. To find out more, follow instructions you will receive when you sign up for health benefits at Scripps; review information on the website of your health insurance carrier (once you have selected a carrier); or contact the Benefits Office for more assistance in determining which doctors you or your family can use with the health plan you have selected.
If you come to the US with your own insurance, you will need to select a doctor yourself, considering expertise, location, and/or recommendations from friends or colleagues. It is usually easy to do an online search for doctors in your area with various specialties and see ratings from other patients. Please be aware that you usually need proof of health insurance in English when you make an appointment with a doctor. - Urgent Care: If you find yourself or a family member feeling ill and feeling you need to see a doctor in the same day, at night or on the weekend, go to Urgent Care. Urgent Care is used when you want to see a doctor in the same day without an appointment or to see a doctor outside normal business hours. Urgent Care is for medical situations that are urgent but not life-threatening. When you have selected your home or apartment after arrival in the US, it is important to locate the Urgent Care you will use and keep their phone number in your contacts. We have a list of Urgent Care providers in San Diego and Jupiter below on this webpage.
- Hospital Emergency Room: If you have a life-threatening situation (severe illness or accident), call 9-11 or go to the closest Emergency Room. If you call 9-11, an operator will ask for more information about your life-threatening situation and your location. He or she will send paramedics, who will help stabilize you at home and then take you to a hospital in an ambulance, if needed.
For more information about what to do if you have a medical or other emergency, please visit the ISO webpage called Safety Information & Emergency Contact.
Health Insurance Terms
Scripps Research Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees and their family members on both the La Jolla and Jupiter campuses. Non–emergency counseling by licensed professionals is available for issues ranging from job stress to major depression. Clients at CAPS are usually seen in individual counseling, couples counseling or support groups. CAPS also offers guidance and referrals to people requiring longer-term or specialized treatment. For more information about CAPS counselors and services, please visit the CAPS website.
San Diego has a tremendous network of exceptional doctors and hospitals. Some of the hospitals closest to Scripps Research are listed below.
- Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
- UCSD Health System La Jolla
- Sharp Memorial Hospital
- UCSD San Diego Medical Center
Urgent Care (doctor visits without appointment)
- Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines Urgent Care
- UCSD Health Urgent Care, La Jolla
- Partners Urgent Care UTC
Although Jupiter, Florida, is a small town, Jupiter and the surrounding area have excellent doctors and medical facilities. Medical facilities closest to Scripps Research are listed below.
- Jupiter Medical Center
- Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
- Good Samaritan Medical Center
- St. Mary's Medical Center
- JFK Medical Center, North Campus
Urgent Care (doctor visits without appointment)
- Jupiter Medical Center Urgent Care
- Med Express Urgent Care
- Jupiter Medical Center Urgent Care