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.
Be prepared before you leave
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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 theAARP 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 tobring 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 providersfrom 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/.
Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling
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Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities.
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If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.
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If needed, consuls can also help with the transfer of funds from family or friends in the U.S. Payment of hospital and other medical bills are the traveler's responsibility.
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Detailed information on healthcare providers abroad can be found in the Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists, published for the American Board of Medical Specialists and its certifying board members. This publication is available through libraries as well as in U.S. embassies and consulates. Major credit card companies can also help identify healthcare providers.
FAQs
Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling
What to do if you get ill abroad? ›
Who should you contact in an emergency? If you have travel insurance you should contact your insurance company if you have a medical emergency. Your insurance policy should have given you an international number that you can use to get in touch with your insurers.
Is it common to get sick while traveling? ›
You may be staying up later, consuming more alcohol and getting less exercise than usual. You're also more likely to be in crowded places for prolonged periods, interacting with a more diverse population than you're used to.” All of these factors can weaken your immune system and set the stage for getting sick.
Why do I always get a sore throat when I travel? ›
Fact is, on an average every 3rd person traveling to a foreign country experiences a sore throat. The reason why this happens is that there is generally greater exposure to various cold viruses that one's body is usually not used to. That's why viral infections are common among travelers.
What happens if I need medical care in another country? ›
The U.S. government does not pay overseas medical bills. The patient must pay all hospital and other expenses. You can find lists of doctors and hospitals in the country you are visiting. Check the website of the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting.
What does travel insurance cover? ›
So, what does travel insurance cover? Here's the very short answer: Cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, loss or delays, and 24/7 assistance. These are the 5 basic types of coverage provided with vacation insurance.
Can a tourist see a doctor in the US? ›
Visiting a U.S. physician to receive medical treatment might not seem like a typical activity of a "tourist for pleasure," but if you want to travel to the U.S. for medical reasons the appropriate visa to request is the B-2 visitor. You will need to apply through your local U.S. embassy or consulate.
How do you get rid of a cold within 24 hours? ›
How can I get rid of a cold in 24 hours? Unfortunately, there is still no known cure for the common cold. However, you can reduce the duration of your illness by taking some promising vitamins and supplements, as well as engaging in good self-care. This includes vitamin C, Zinc, echinacea, and probiotics.
Can airlines refuse sick passengers? ›
Be aware that an airline can stop passengers who appear to be very sick from flying, so check with your airline that you will be allowed to fly - more information below!
What to do if you have a sore throat on vacation? ›
A cough, runny nose and sore throat can also be signs of impending illness. The easiest, and perhaps most important thing you can immediately do to help your body is stay hydrated. Drink water and avoid alcohol, which “will suppress your immune system so it's harder to get better quickly,” says Dr. Rajapaksa.
If an employee is sick on holiday
An employee must report their sickness to their employer if they want to take any holiday as sick leave. In this case the employee can: get statutory sick pay for the time they were sick – as long as they are entitled to it. keep the time they were sick to use as holiday another time.
What does travel insurance not cover? ›
Travelling against medical advice or to get medical treatment. If your doctor says it's not safe for you to travel, then you won't be covered. Similarly, if you go abroad to get planned treatment, sometimes called 'medical tourism', a standard policy will not cover this – you'll need specialist insurance instead.
What happens if you get sick at a resort? ›
Notify Your Concierge
They can assist in recommending a doctor or pharmacy, making figuring out what to do easier. Some resorts even have an onsite doctor who can help diagnose your illness and get you additional medical attention if necessary.
Do hotels have thermometers for guests? ›
Some hotels, especially those hosting some of the medical community, are also requiring temperature checks before being able to enter the hotel. Some Millennium Hotels have infrared thermometers at front desks for employees and guests.
What happens if you test positive for COVID while staying at a hotel? ›
If a guest tests positive, the hotel strongly encourages the guest to seek a medical facility as the hotel is not designed or equipped to handle medical care. If a guest is under quarantine, the guest may reach out to the front office to talk through options for food delivery outside his/her guest room door.
How do you disinfect a hotel room for Covid? ›
Clean visibly dirty surfaces using detergent and water. Follow with a registered disinfectant on EPA's List N. Follow the directions on the label for use, including contact time, to ensure safe and effective use of the products. Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.
