Getting sick during travel to a foreign country can be frightening. So it's best to
be prepared before you leave home. Take the following measures to minimize inconvenience
and distress should you become ill while traveling in a foreign country.
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Check insurance coverage with your carrier and identify whether or not you're covered
while traveling abroad. Most insurance, including Medicare, doesn't cover medical
emergency evacuation back to the U.S., and this can be costly. Ask for advice on medical
care while traveling.
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If your insurance policy doesn't cover you abroad, you may want to get a short-term
health insurance policy that does. There are short-term policies designed to cover
travel. For more information, contact your travel agent or look for information in
travel magazines or online.
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Take your health insurance ID card and a claim form with you while traveling.
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Medicare often doesn't provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the
U.S. Older adults may want to contact the AARP for information about foreign medical
care coverage with Medicare supplement plans.
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Complete the information page on the inside of your passport, providing the name,
address, and phone number of someone to contact in case of emergency. This will help
to facilitate identification in case of an accident.
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If you have a pre-existing medical condition, carry a letter from your primary healthcare
provider describing the condition and any prescription medicines you take. You may
want to bring a copy of all written prescriptions with you. These should include generic
names for these medicines. Talk with your healthcare provider to plan how you will
have enough medicine for your trip if you plan to be gone more than 30 days.
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Know your blood type before you travel. Some countries may not have accurate and reliable
blood screening systems in place. This means people who need blood may be at a higher
risk for blood transfusion infections such as hepatitis B or HIV. Blood transfusions
overseas should be only for life or death situations. Ask for advice before traveling
if you have a condition that may need periodic blood transfusions.
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Be sure to bring any medicines you are taking with you outside the U.S. in their clearly
labeled original containers. Some medicines are considered illegal in foreign countries.
You may want to check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting to
be sure.
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You can get lists of English-speaking foreign healthcare providers from the International
Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.
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Consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service
of the Bureau of Consular Affairs in the Department of State. STEP, in addition to
other services, will help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
https://step.state.gov/.