Health Tips
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.
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. If your insurance doesn’t offer coverage for Medical
Evacuation or Repatriation, consider purchasing a plan that will cover these
benefits or check if you can add it to your current plan.
For identification in case of an accident, make sure to 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. It is always a
good idea to carry a card with emergency contact information. Even a business
card of one of your family members or friends can help.
If you are traveling with known medical problems you should carry a letter from
your 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. You should check with the foreign embassy of the country you
are visiting to make sure any required medications are not considered to be
illegal narcotics.
For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the
World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at www.who.int/en.
The WHO also provides travel health information at www.who.int/ith.
Emergency information like financial assistance, arrest/incarcerations, medical
emergencies, death of a US citizen abroad and general emergency information can
be found at:
www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1205.html.
Current travel warnings
www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
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