UK/US pregnancy care differences

Kerrie
I'm in the UK and keep seeing lots of ladies on here immediately getting their HCG levels checked at the doctors via blood work when they get a BFP and also having early scans. Is this the norm in the US? 
Here in the UK I had one appointment with my GP just to let them know I was pregnant and get the standard advice and then I see my midwife at about 8 weeks. No scan until 8-12 weeks and no blood drawn at all.
Don't get me wrong it doesn't bother me at all I'm just intrigued as to how the different systems work!