Yes. But you usually have to fight it to get it. They will very often try to play the “pre-existing condition” card, as they did in this case.

Which is the fundamental problem with private healthcare.

Fine if you win the genetic lottery. Not so much if you’re born with pre-existing conditions.

If only it was just genetics. I broke my right leg (femur) when I was 4 years old. After it healed, I never had a single problem with it. Played basketball, baseball, and I still lift weights today. I'm not in great shape, but probably better than average. My right knee started giving me problems. Meniscus tear. Didn't need a surgical solution just PT. Insurance denied paying for my PT because of "strain on the ligaments caused by prior break to femur". 39 years later? Maybe. But to deny PT sessions over that? That's stretching it.

You don't. Your insurance company back home will fight with the US provider.

Not at all. A good insurance that gets you actually covered for more than tipping over in your shoelace is much more.

1 month:

https://ibb.co/fnq4d1v

Details:

https://ibb.co/PTrSFHx

https://ibb.co/cvyPvjW

Depends on the country. In Israel, it's between $1-$3 per day.

Moreover, when on J1 visa you can get qualifying insurance for 30$/yr. It seems that such insurances may not cover long disability - you may need to go to your home country for a serious treatment.