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What You Should Know About
Receiving Medical Attention Abroad
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.
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.
To
facilitate identification in case of an accident, complete the
information page on the inside of your passport providing contact information including the
name, address and telephone number of someone to call in an emergency.
A
traveler going abroad with any preexisting medical problems
should carry a letter from an 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 www.cdc.gov.
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.
For
detailed information on physicians abroad, the authoritative
reference is The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists published for the American Board of
Medical Specialists and its certifying member boards. This publication
should be available in your local library. U.S. embassies and
consulates abroad maintain lists of hospitals and physicians.
Major credit card companies also can provide the names of local
doctors and hospitals abroad.
Some
countries require foreign visitors to have inoculations or medical
tests before entering. Before traveling, check the latest entry
requirements with the country's foreign embassy.
(Provided
by U.S.
Department of State) |
