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HEALTH
Health problems sometimes affect visitors abroad. Information
on health precautions can be obtained from local health departments
or private doctors. General guidance can also be found in the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) book, Health
Information for International Travel, available for $14.00 from
the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402, or the CDC's international travelers hotline
at (404) 332-4559.
Health Insurance. It is wise to review your health
insurance policy before you travel. In some places, particularly
at resorts, medical costs can be as high or higher than in the
United States. If your insurance policy does not cover you abroad,
it is strongly recommended that you purchase a policy that does.
There are short-term health insurance policies designed specifically
to cover travel. If your travel agent cannot direct you to a medical
assistance company, look for information in travel magazines.
The U.S. government cannot pay to have you medically evacuated
to the United States.
The Social Security Medicare program does not provide for payment
of hospital or medical services obtained outside the United States.
However, some Medicare supplement plans offer foreign medical
care coverage at no extra cost for treatments considered eligible
under Medicare. These are reimbursement plans. You must pay the
bills first and obtain receipts for submission them later for
compensation. Many of these plans have a dollar ceiling per trip.
Review your health insurance policy. Obtaining
medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive. If
your Medicare supplement or other medical insurance does not provide
protection while traveling outside the United States, we strongly
urge you to buy coverage that does. The names of some of the companies
offering short-term health and emergency assistance policies are
listed in the Bureau of Consular Affairs flyer, Medical Information
for Americans Traveling Abroad. The flyer is available by
sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Bureau of Consular
Affairs, Room 6831, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
20520-4818 (or via the automated systems mentioned under How to
Access Consular Information Sheets).
Trip Insurance. One sure way to ruin a vacation
is to lose money because an emergency forces you to postpone or
cancel your trip. Except for tickets on regularly scheduled airlines,
almost any travel package you purchase will have a penalty for
cancellation and some companies will give no refund at all. Regularly
scheduled airlines usually give a refund if an illness or death
in the family forces you to cancel. Airlines require a note from
the doctor or a death certificate. Take careful note of the cancellation
penalty for any other large travel purchase you make, such as
a tour package, charter flight, or cruise. Unless you can afford
to lose the purchase amount, protect yourself by buying trip insurance.
If you invest in trip insurance, make sure your policy covers
all reasonable possibilities for having to cancel. For instance,
if an emergency with a family member would force you to cancel,
insure against that as well.
Some trip insurance policies will give a refund if the company
goes out of business or otherwise does not make good on its offering.
The best insurance against company default is to choose a reputable
company that guarantees a refund if they do not provide the services
procured. If, however, you are tempted to purchase a tour at a
great bargain price and you can't find a guarantee of delivery
in the fine print, protect yourself by purchasing trip insurance
that covers company default.
Shop around for the trip insurance policy that offers the most
benefits. Some credit card and traveler's check companies offer
travel protection packages for an additional fee. Benefits may
even include accident and illness coverage while traveling.
Immunizations. Information on immunizations and
health precautions for travelers can be obtained from local health
departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559, private doctors,
or travel clinics. General guidance can also be found in the U.S.
Public Health Service book, Health Information for International
Travel. Immunizations are normally recommended against diptheria,
tetanus, polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A for travelers. Generally,
these immunizations are administered during childhood.
Medical Assistance Programs. One strong advantage
of medical assistance programs is that they also cover the exorbitant
cost of medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious
illness. As part of the coverage, these companies usually offer
emergency consultation by telephone. They may refer you to the
nearest hospital or call directly for help for you. If you need
an interpreter, they may translate your instructions to a health
care worker on the scene. Another benefit that is normally part
of such coverage is payment for the return of remains to the United
States in case of death.
If your regular health insurance already covers you for medical
expenses abroad, you can buy a medical assistance program that
offers all the consultative and evacuation services listed above
except for the health insurance itself. Cost of medical assistance
coverage is usually inexpensive without health insurance coverage
or a little more for the complete medical assistance program including
health insurance. On the other hand, escorted medical evacuation
can cost thousands of dollars.
If your travel agent cannot direct you to a medical assistance
company, look for information on such services in travel magazines.
Once you have adequate coverage, carry your insurance policy identity
cards and claim forms with you when you travel.
Medication. If you require medication, bring an
ample supply in its original containers. Do not use pill cases.
Because of strict laws concerning narcotics throughout the world,
bring along copies of your prescriptions and, if possible, carry
a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug.
As an extra precaution, carry the generic names of your medications
with you because pharmaceutical companies overseas may use different
names from those used in the United States.
If you wear eyeglasses, take an extra pair with you. Pack medicines
and extra eyeglasses in your hand luggage so they will be available
in case your checked luggage is lost. To be extra secure, pack
a backup supply of medicines and an additional pair of eyeglasses
in your checked luggage. If you have allergies, reactions to certain
medications, foods, or insect bites, or other unique medical problems,
consider wearing a "medical alert" bracelet. You may also wish
to carry a letter from your physician explaining desired treatment
should you become ill.
Medical Assistance Abroad. If you get sick, you
can contact a consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate for a list of local doctors, dentists, and medical specialists,
along with other medical information. If you are injured or become
seriously ill, a consul will help you find medical assistance
and, at your request, inform your family or friends. The list
of English speaking doctors is also available before you travel
by writing to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4811,
2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520. Please specify to
which country you will be traveling.
Health Precautions. Air pollution abroad may sometimes
be severe. Air pollution and high altitudes are a particular health
risk for the elderly and persons with high blood pressure, anemia,
or respiratory or cardiac problems. If this applies to you, consult
your doctor before traveling.
In high altitude areas most people need a short adjustment period.
If traveling to such an area, spend the first few days in a leisurely
manner with a light diet and reduced intake of alcohol. Avoid
strenuous activity, this includes everything from sports to rushing
up the stairs. Reaction signs to high altitude are lack of energy,
a tendency to tire easily, shortness of breath, occasional dizziness,
and insomnia.
If possible, drink only bottled water or water that has been
boiled for 20 minutes. Be aware of ice cubes that may not have
been made with purified water. Vegetables and fruits should be
peeled or washed in a purifying solution. A good rule to follow
is if you can't peel it or cook it, do not eat it. Diarrhea may
be treated with antimicrobial treatment which may be prescribed
or purchased over the counter. Travelers should consult a physician,
rather than attempt self-medication, if the diarrhea is severe
or persists several days.
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