How to Receive Medical Care During a Vacation Overseas

Vacations are meant to be relaxing, right? Or enjoyable, at least. You drop all of your work on a Friday evening. You jet off to a sunny location the Saturday afterward. The fun begins. Well, it’s fun until something goes wrong.

For 22% to 64% of travelers, it’s illness that throws a wrench in their plans. Whether it’s a travel-related illness or something else, they find their excursions postponed or cancelled. Instead, they are huddled in the hotel room, feeling rotten. To sum it up, this is not ideal.

So, what do you do in these situations?

Receiving some form of medical care is essential. This often feels more complicated than it should, though. This is because, in a foreign country, you are unfamiliar with the healthcare process. Maybe you don’t know where the local hospital or pharmacy is. Or maybe you’re unaware of the cost of care in that country.

Whatever the reason for your confusion, don’t fret. This post outlines four key ways to receive medical care during a trip abroad.

Know Your Insurance Limitations

Many travelers are smart. They purchase some form of insurance – either travel or travel medical – before their trip. No one wants to imagine things going awry, but it’s far safer to be prepared for the worst than leaving it to chance. So, travelers should not rely on domestic US health insurance, which rarely cover healthcare in foreign countries, and buy the right insurance for their trip. 

Of course, there could always be limitations to your insurance coverage. This is something you absolutely need to research ahead of time. A read through of your policy should point out any issues. One common problem is the exclusion of pre-existing conditions. If you are aware of an existing health issue, then you need to declare it during the quote process.

To avoid limitations, choose a reputable insurance provider. The best providers usually offer the most comprehensive options. Seven Corners travel insurance, for example, provides medical coverage up to $1,000,000 in most cases. It also covers the acute onset of pre-existing conditions. 

Find a Doctor or Hospital

It sounds obvious, right? Find a doctor or hospital. If you were at home and fell ill, this wouldn’t be an issue. You’d already know where to go for care. However, the uncertainty you feel abroad could complicate this task. And that shouldn’t be the case.

One of the biggest issues is finding an English-speaking medical professional. A good start to do this is on the US Embassy and Consulates page for whatever country you are in. Each country has a page, and there will be a “Medical Assistance” category to select. This will display a variety of details – from an overview of the country’s national health system, if applicable, to medical evacuation. 

If you have insurance, you’ll often be able to contact the provider for assistance here. Some, like Seven Corners, even list doctors on WellAbroad. The information will include the doctor’s specialty, location, and billing information. Such listings are broken down by country to simplify your search. 

Being prepared is what provides peace of mind. Whether you use information from the US Embassy or your insurance provider, you’ll be on the right track.

Pay for Care

Some countries have nationalized healthcare systems. In the UK, it’s the NHS. In Canada, it’s universal healthcare. Unfortunately, this means the benefits are reserved exclusively for legal residents, not tourists. As a result, you will be required to pay for treatment if you do not have the relevant insurance.

You will often find that paying for care upfront will protect yourself from out-of-pocket bills. These bills are well-known to be extortionate in some countries. NHS.uk even state that for those who need to pay for NHS hospital treatment in England, they will be charged at 150% of the national NHS rate.

For those who plan to use travel insurance for payment, there are two main methods. Your provider might pay the hospital directly. On the other hand, you might need to pay and then file a claim for reimbursement. It will depend on the insurance provider you’ve chosen. 

Utilize Local Pharmacies

It’s not unusual to forget about pharmacies. When you fall ill, your mind goes to doctors and hospitals, not the local pharmacy. But you could be making a mistake by following your first thought. Local pharmacies are there to help, often at a much more affordable rate than hospitals.

Visiting a pharmacy is usually faster, too. In England and Scotland, there are Pharmacy First initiatives in place. These services enable pharmacists to evaluate symptoms and prescribe medications for common health issues without requiring a doctor’s appointment. This is best used for earaches, sore throats, UTIs, and so on.

Fortunately, finding a pharmacy in the area you are visiting is relatively simple. It’s really just a Google search away.

To conclude, receiving medical care in a foreign country is not a situation travelers want to imagine. It sounds awfully stressful, and that’s not what a vacation is about. But it could happen. If it does, you’re best to be prepared and understand how to receive the right care.