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Reference Desk
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Travel Notes: Medical Information for
Americans Traveling Abroad
Often traveling abroad is vital
to a business and, for the most part, can be efficient and uneventful if
well planned. Sometimes, however, the unexpected occurs. The information
presented below is designed to help you plan in advance of your travel so
that, if the unexpected does happen, you have the ability to deal with it.
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Medical Problems While
Traveling If an American
citizen becomes seriously ill or injured abroad, a U. S. consular
officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and
informing family or friends. If necessary, a consular officer can
also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States.
However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the
responsibility of the traveler.
Health Insurance
Before going abroad, learn what medical services your health
insurance will cover overseas. |
If your health insurance policy
provides coverage outside the United States, REMEMBER to carry both your
insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim
form.
Although many health insurance companies will pay "customary and
reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your medical
evacuation back to the United States. Medical evacuation can easily cost
$10,000 and up, depending on your location and medical condition.
Senior Citizens
THE SOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE
PROGRAM DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL COSTS OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A.
Senior citizens may wish to contact the American Association of Retired
Persons for information about foreign medical care coverage with Medicare
supplement plans.
Proper Identification and Contact Information
To facilitate identification in case of an accident, complete the
information page on the inside of your passport providing the name,
address and telephone number of someone to be contacted in an emergency.
Preexisting Medical Condition
A traveler going abroad with any preexisting medical problems should carry
a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition
and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed
drugs. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their
original containers and be clearly labeled. Travelers should check with
the foreign embassy of the country they are visiting to make sure any
required medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics.
A listing of addresses and telephone numbers of U.S. embassies and
consulates abroad is contained in Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts .
This publication may be obtained through the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Also available from
the Government Printing Office is Health Information for International
Travel by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This
contains a global rundown of disease and immunization advice and other
health guidance, including risks in particular countries. The CDC
maintains the international travelers hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747), an automated faxback service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299) and a home page on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov.
Travel Medical Article
Copyright Empirical Publishing
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