Here’s what to do if you get sick traveling abroad. Have you ever thought about what you would do if you got ill while traveling outside of the U.S.? It can be alarming when you’re in another country, and you come down with an illness, but it doesn’t have to be. I’m going to go into detail about what you can do to prepare yourself and your family if you were to get sick and the steps you would need to take before leaving. Going on vacation is supposed to be fun and worry-free, so let’s get into what you should do before going on your trip.
Before You Leave
So the first thing you’re going to want to do is getting ahold of your insurance provider. It’s always a good idea to call and check your coverage and specifically call and ask whether or not you’re covered when traveling abroad. If your insurance provider does not cover you internationally, then you do have other options. I would consider purchasing a short-term medical insurance policy that will cover you when traveling outside of the U.S. If you are having a hard time finding a policy, we highly recommend World Nomads as they are lovely and can answer any further questions you may have. One more thing you should also do is ask for medical advice when traveling so you can stay informed and know what to do if something happened.
Health Insurance I.D., Medicare, Passport Information
It’s not uncommon to forget something when going on a vacation, but when traveling abroad, it’s always a good idea to bring your Health Insurance medical I.D. card and a claim form with you on a trip just in case. The reason it’s crucial to bring this with you is because your policy documents contain essential information that hospitals will need in case of an emergency. Not only does it obtain information regarding what to do in an emergency but also gives you details you will need, such as what you are covered for and what you are not covered for with the policy you have.
If you are a senior citizen and are looking to travel, then I highly suggest contacting AARP for information regarding medical care outside of the U.S. with supplement plans. It is essential to know that Medicare does not cover medical costs nor hospital costs outside of America.
One last thing that needs to be covered is your passport. Inside your passport, there is an information page that needs to be filled out in case of an emergency. On the page, you should provide all the information about the person you would want to leave as your emergency contact so hospitals or police know who to get into contact with if something should happen.
Pre Existing Medical Condition, & Taking Medication
Something most people don’t think about is what they should do before traveling if they have a pre-existing medical condition or are currently taking any prescription medications. If you have a condition, then it is essential that you carry a letter with you from your primary care doctor. Essentially the letter should contain information regarding your condition and any medication that you are taking currently, including even the generic names of the medicine. However, something I had not mentioned above was that although it’s still possible to get travel insurance even with an existing condition, you may need a specialist policy as not all providers offer that kind of coverage in a standard policy.
If you are taking any kind of medication, be sure to bring it with you inside the container that you got from the pharmacy and make sure that it is labeled. I would check with the foreign embassy of the place you’re visiting to make sure that your medication isn’t considered an illegal narcotic in their country. Also, Make sure you have a list of English speaking healthcare providers in the country you will be visiting. You can find all that information with the International Association for Medical Assistant to Travelers.
Special Care If You Become Ill or Injured While Traveling
If you become Ill or injured while traveling, the first thing you should do is contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or call and ask for a list of local healthcare facilities nearby. If your injury or illness is severe, the consular officers can provide help to find medical assistance and inform your friends/family if you need them to. Now, something to keep in mind is that any medical bills or payments to the hospital are your responsibility. If you are not able to pay due to international card restrictions, then you can have a consular officer also help with transferring funds from your friends/family in the U.S.
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This is all viable information that you will need to know in case of an emergency when traveling internationally. I know traveling can be unsettling when you aren’t sure what to do health-wise before your trip and during your trip, but it doesn’t have to be. We took the time to research and put together the most useful information regarding this to keep you informed of what to do. We hope that this article will be helpful for your traveling needs!
Disclaimer: The information displayed here is meant to be general and educational advice for different ways you can seek professional medical attention if you become ill traveling abroad. This information is here to give ideas on how you can find medical care when you’re in an unfamiliar place. We are not medical professionals. Ask the advice of your doctor or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical conditions. Never avoid seeing a physician because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.
