Of course, these issues are not limited to international travel. When you're hiking along the Appalachian Trail or the Arctic Gate, America's most remote national park, you may be outside the range of emergency medical care.
I've found that even if your hobby involves bugs, germs, and all kinds of nasties, a little preparation can save you a lot of panic calls and trips to the pharmacy. This is true whether you're preparing for a week-long cruise or heading into the wilderness.
Obtain essential medicines before departure
If you're going somewhere where quality health care isn't available, your health care provider may be able to prescribe medications and antibiotics for common travel illnesses, such as traveler's diarrhea. You can also order a customized region-specific travel kit containing pre-prescribed medications from Duration Health. They range from a $169 Mini Med Kit that covers underlying conditions (infections, nausea, digestive disorders) to a $1,679 Lifesaver version that comes with two EpiPens.
“Many of them are things I wish I had before I became a doctor,” says Therese Marca, one of the doctors at Duration Health who writes advance prescriptions and assists travelers via email. he said. She saw the kit in action when she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in January. “100 percent of the group got traveler's diarrhea,” she says. “Anyone who had a prescription for azithromycin before setting out on the trail probably saved the trip.”
Please bring regular medications and travel-specific items in their original vials. These are considered valid prescriptions at airport security and customs. (It's also a good idea to email yourself a copy of your prescription.) Many travelers do just fine, but keep in mind that some countries ban medications that are legal in the United States. please. Adderall, a drug used to treat ADHD, is banned in Japan. Singapore requires travelers to apply for special approval to bring anti-anxiety and sleeping pills with them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends checking with the embassies of your destination and potential transit locations to determine which medications are not allowed.
create a communication plan
Sometimes staying in touch just means getting the right SIM card for your phone. But if you want to go beyond reliable cell phone service and take, say, an overnight hiking trip, you might want to consider one of the small satellite messaging devices now sold by companies like Garmin and SPOT. It is recommended.
These devices work in most regions around the world and typically come with a monthly or annual service fee. Some are set up for two-way messaging like text, while others come pre-set with messages and emergency alerts. “Press the SOS button and we will contact a highly qualified dispatch team who will work to find the best assets available for rescue,” said Gabe Lawler, SPOT's Eastern US Regional Sales Manager. Stated. “It could be local law enforcement. It could be the Coast Guard. In some cases, it could be a private rescue company.”
You can also send SOS information to your trusted emergency contacts at home. Zannah Baker, who oversees TV and film projects for adventure exploration company Secret Compass, said she considers choosing people who are resilient in crisis. Baker says that while companies like Garmin offer support, her sober friends and family may be able to marshal resources in your area to help in an emergency. emphasized. “You need someone who can calm down and communicate,” she said. “with” [Garmin] inReach is just a message. So what happens next?
The next step is usually to contact a contact on the ground who may be able to arrange rescue. Baker suggests making a list of local resources, such as local friends, guide companies, or even people you can call.
Understand your field options
Emergency room doctor Eugene Delaune said excellent medical care is available in most parts of the world, and he also advises insurance company Allianz Travel on important medical decisions. Teams like Delaune's can help determine whether travelers can get the care they need locally or if they need to be evacuated.
“When you move someone, it's usually not at home. It's usually at the closest facility,” he said. “Say you're in Tanzania and you get into a car accident. …I say, 'I need to get her to Nairobi right away.'” Another option is to visit the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy. is to contact. The U.S. Department of State can assist you in finding medical services abroad. Consular office personnel can be contacted at 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 and he will provide emergency assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Although it's best to bring your medications from home, the CDC notes that counterfeit pills are common in some countries, but you can usually get emergency refills with a copy of your prescription. . Documentation is also essential if you require medical care and do not know the local name of the prescribed medication.
“When you work in the ER, it's a huge disadvantage when people can't tell you what medications they're taking,” Delaune says. He also recommends that people with a history of heart disease carry a recent electrocardiogram in their wallet so that their local doctor can provide informed treatment.
Know the details of insurance
Paying for treatment is another story. U.S. consulates will not respond to unexpected charges, and Medicare and Medicaid generally do not cover medical costs outside the United States. Private insurance often pays for a portion of international medical costs, Draughn said, but it usually only pays out after you make a claim. Travelers who rely on private health insurance may find themselves paying higher costs and having to sort it out later. Health care costs in the United States are among the most expensive in the world, which partly explains the increasing tendency of Americans to seek treatment abroad. Still, emergency procedures can be expensive anywhere.
Delone points out that travel insurance that covers medical care is likely to provide funds for immediate expenses. In some cases, you'll find yourself in a bind later on. View details. Some travel insurance policies offer primary coverage for emergency medical and dental treatment (meaning the travel insurance company pays first), while others offer only secondary coverage. , you must first submit a claim to your health insurance.
And always be aware of exceptions. During a trip to Vietnam in 2017, Jeannie Walla, 73, of Los Angeles, was riding around rice fields in the sidecar of a guided motorcycle when her car fell into a flooded field and became trapped under it. It's gone. Wala then called travel insurance at a nearby hospital and asked what to do if he broke his hip or his condition worsened. “He said, 'I don't know where I'm sending you, but I know I won't pay for it,'” she recalled. “It was just ridiculously useless.'' Because of her motorcycle trip, her insurance was invalidated. Many travel insurance policies include adventurous activities as an exclusion.
To ensure access to U.S. hospitals, consider emergency medical evacuation insurance. Sobered up after a close call in Vietnam, Wala signed up for Medget's annual medical transport insurance, with plans starting at $99. It paid for itself faster than she expected.
In 2019, Wala fell from the stone base of a pyramid in Giza, Egypt, dislocating a finger and breaking his hip and wrist. The nearest hospital was full of stray cats. She needed surgery, but the surgeon in Cairo hinted that she would receive better quality treatment once she returned to her home. Her coverage upgrade guaranteed that she would be accompanied by an ambulance to her private flight to California. “Metjet showed up and said, 'We're going to get you out of here,'” she said. “It was music to my ears.”
