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Get Help with a Medical Emergency Abroad
If you or a U.S. citizen loved one become seriously ill or injured abroad, we can:
- Help locate appropriate medical services.
- Inform your family or friends, with your permission.
- Helptransfer fundsto U.S. citizens overseas.
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 thewebsite of the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting.
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Check Your
Health Insurance – Are You Covered Abroad?
Understand what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas before traveling. Carry your insurance card and a claim form if your policy covers you outside the United States.
Medicare does not cover medical care when you travel the United States. VisitMedicare.govfor more information.
Some health insurance companies pay for “customary and reasonable” hospital costs abroad. Very few pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States. The cost may exceed $250,000, depending on your location and medical condition. Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. For more information, visit our webpage on Insurance Coverage Overseas.
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Traveling with Prescription Medications
- Check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting or passing through. Check to make sure your medications are allowed, particularly prescriptions for medical marijuana. You may need an import license or permit to travel with certain medications.
- Bring plenty of medicine for your trip. If possible, bring a few extra days’ worth in case of delays. You might not be able to get the same medication abroad.
- Carry a letter from the doctor. It should describe your medical condition. It should also list any prescription drugs and their generic names.
- Keep medications in their original, labeled containers.
- Entering a country with a prescription medication, even if legally obtained in the United States, could be illegal and result in your detention or arrest overseas.
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Medical Tourism Abroad
Between 150,000 and 320,000 U.S. citizens travel abroad for medical care each year. Medical tourism includes cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and other surgical procedures.
If you are a U.S. citizen considering travel abroad for medical care, you should:
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Inform Yourself About Vaccinations
Some Countries Require Vaccinations
Before you travel, check country information. You may need to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination, also called a Yellow Card. You may also need to show proof of other inoculations or medical tests. Check also current requirements directly with the foreign embassies of the countries you are visiting.
Recommended Vaccinations and Malaria Prevention
Check theU.S.Centers for Disease Control (CDC)and World Health Organization (WHO)websites for recommended vaccinations and malaria prevention for your destination. Review the CDC’s webpage on Choosing a Drug to Prevent Malaria.
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Travel Smartly with Prescription Medications
- Bring an ample supply of medication to cover you for your trip, and if possible, a few extra days in case there are delays.
- Carry a letter from the attending physician that describes your medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed drugs.
- Keep medications in their original, labeled containers.
- Check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting or transiting to make sure your medications are permitted in that country. Some countries require an import license or permit to travel with certain medications.
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Being Prepared for a Pandemic
Review theU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information about pandemics. In a pandemic, virus control measures could affect your travel:
- Travel restrictions may prevent U.S. citizens from traveling internationally.
- Foreign governments may close borders suddenly or with little advance warning.
- Commercial air, land, and sea carriers could suspend some or all transportation services.
- Some countries may quarantine people who appear sick or test positive with the virus.
These developments could delay your travel or your return to the United States.
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Other Health Considerations Abroad
Last Updated: March 5, 2024
FAQs
U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs overseas. Private U.S. insurance policies also might not cover any or all expenses. Check with your insurance before traveling to see if it provides coverage overseas. More information is also available on the CDC insurance page.
Do you need your health insurance card when traveling abroad? ›
Carry your insurance card and a claim form if your policy covers you outside the United States. Medicare does not cover medical care when you travel the United States.
Should I take my Medicare card to Europe? ›
Should I take my Medicare card to Europe? There is no reason to bring your Medicare card to Europe, as doctors in European countries will not accept your Medicare coverage as insurance.
What happens if I have a medical emergency in another country? ›
Health Care Resources for Travelers
The nearest US embassy or consulate can help travelers locate medical services and notify your friends, family, or employer of an emergency. They are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, overseas and in Washington, DC (888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444).
Can I use my United Healthcare in another country? ›
In general, United States health insurance plans don't carry over to other countries. Once you leave the United States, you'll need additional protection so you can get medical care if needed while you're abroad. The best way to do that is to get a travel health insurance plan.
Do I need additional medical insurance when traveling abroad? ›
Purchasing health insurance for traveling abroad is a simple way to save money in an emergency, and anyone can benefit from the coverage. If you're traveling to a country in which your health insurance provider doesn't provide coverage, buying travel medical insurance is a must.
What happens if a US citizen gets sick in Europe? ›
While no system is perfect, Europe's universal health care does mean that everyone is taken care of — including foreigners. So if you get sick or injured while traveling, you will receive treatment, no questions asked.
What happens if you get sick in a foreign country? ›
Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.
What happens if you need to go to the hospital in a different country? ›
The staff at U.S. consulates throughout the world can help traveling Americans locate health care providers and facilities, contact family members in the U.S., and assist with the wire transfer of funds from the U.S. Even if your insurance company will cover part of the charges of your medical care abroad, you will ...
Can US citizens get free healthcare in Europe? ›
No. Outside of emergency treatment, 'medical tourists' need to pay for the health systems in those countries their citizens get for free. If you have residency, you do gain access to Britain's National Health System (NHS). However, it's not completely free.
Some Medicare Supplement insurance policies (also known as Medigap) do offer coverage for emergencies when traveling out-of-country. Medicare Supplement plans C, D, F, G, M and N cover some travel-abroad emergency help. No other Medicare Supplement plans provide foreign travel emergency coverage.
Should I bring my health insurance card overseas? ›
If you require emergency treatment at a foreign hospital, make sure to bring your passport and your health insurance information with you. Otherwise, you might not be admitted.
What happens if an American gets sick in Italy? ›
Medical Escorts and Medical Evacuation
When a U.S. citizen becomes ill in Italy and requires assistance to fly back to the US, he/she could hire a medical escort. Generally, when a medical escort is hired, a physician with basic medical equipment accompanies the patient on board a commercial airline flight.
What happens if I don t pay a medical bill in a foreign country? ›
What happens if you leave a country without paying your medical bills? This could result in a number of different consequences, including debt pursuit through legal action or debt collection, negative impacts on credit scores, or issues re-entering a country where your debt is owed.
Does US healthcare work abroad? ›
Generally, U.S. health insurance benefits will not cover you while outside of the U.S. Your domestic U.S. health insurance plans will cover you in a specific region within the USA.
Does health insurance cover out of country expenses? ›
Private health insurance typically doesn't cover international travel expenses. May 24, 2023, at 4:42 p.m.
Does my US auto insurance cover international travel? ›
In general, your U.S. auto insurance policy does NOT cover you abroad. Some policies do provide coverage when you drive to Canada and Mexico. Check with your insurance company before you go. Even if your policy is valid in a country, it may not meet local insurance minimums.
What countries accept US Medicare? ›
In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
