International Travel Medical Care

International travel medical care tips and guidelines are important to know when traveling abroad. Although no one plans to become injured or seriously ill when traveling, it is important to know how to access help should an emergency situation arise. The stress of an urgent situation can rapidly intensify in an area when visitors are unfamiliar with health care resources and procedures.

Before traveling abroad, travelers should check existing insurance policies to see what services are covered, and if the plan includes traveling in different countries. International travel medical care will be administered more efficiently if vacationers and those who are out of the country for business purposes carry an insurance card with them at all times. Filling out the information page of a passport, so that identification and emergency contacts can be made more quickly in the case of an accident, will also be important. If traveling with a preexisting condition, carry a letter from a physician, outlining the medical condition and any necessary medications. When carrying medications internationally, keep them in original containers with proper labels.

Should an injury occur during travel, the U. S. consular officer in the area can assist in locating appropriate care and in notifying family. However, all expenses will be the responsibility of the traveler. Many insurance policies will cover reasonable and customary hospital expenses but will rarely cover medical evacuation transport costs back to the United States should that become necessary. These costs can easily reach as high as $10,000. Also important to note is that the social security Medicare program does not provide any coverage for medical or hospital expenses outside the United States. Seniors can check with AARP about international travel medical care options that might be available.

If wanting to travel with the peace of mind of knowing that hospital expenses will be thoroughly covered abroad, consider purchasing a short term international travel medical care insurance policy. Most health care plans are designed to provide excellent domestic coverage, but international medical help can be a policy weakness or omission. If individual policies do not have benefits that are affective in other countries, travelers can purchase short or long term travel insurance at a reasonable cost. Nearly all of these plans provide coverage for inpatient and outpatient medical expense coverage and for emergency medical evacuation.

Planning for a serious accident is often the last detail one considers when traveling abroad. However, a health emergency in a foreign country can be a tremendous ordeal and expense without the proper knowledge and coverage. Being prepared is important and covering a trip with prayer will also bring a peace of mind. "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by payer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Knowing benefits prior to travel is crucial and will eliminate any uncertainties during a holiday or important business trip.

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