American Express Insurance Services: $2 to the £1 seems a good deal.....

.....but us hospital tests can cost $20.83 per minute

As a strong pound tips the $2 mark this week, Britons rushing to book cheap trips to the States are reminded that no matter how strong the pound is, medical treatment in the US is amongst the most expensive in the world1 advises American Express Insurance Services.

Joanne Field, Marketing Manager, American Express Insurance Services: "The US is a very popular destination for Brits, especially when favourable exchange rates double our spending power".

"However, if you fall ill in the States, or need emergency medical treatment, it can cost a small fortune if you do not have the right travel insurance cover." American Express is a global travel insurance provider and has dealt with thousands of USA medical claims.

Even visiting an American hospital for tests can create bills that run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Field: "One customer had sixteen hours of tests in a American hospital which generated a bill of $20,000." American Express offers a number of insurance policies with either £10m or £15m of emergency medical expenses and repatriation cover.

For further details of American Express Insurance Services and its policies, please call 0800 587 4000 or go on-line at www.americanexpress.co.uk/ti.

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