When traveling either in the U.S.A. or abroad, of course, you need to bring with you at all times, your prescription medicine. Also bring over-the-counter analgesic meds (Tylenol, aspirin, etc), something for an upset stomach and diarrhea, and other meds like vitamins that you take daily. If you're in the U.S.A., it wouldn't take long to reach your physician or dentist by phone and get a new prescription if you lose your meds, but - it's a hassle. It's easier to bring a prescription with you. To travel outside the country, bring all meds in original containers and have prescriptions with you.
Have all medical, dental, and eye insurance cards with you. Leave a copy at home with someone you trust. If you bought travel insurance, this usually includes some kind of medical insurance for emergencies. If you wear glasses or contacts, carry that prescription with you.
Don't think an emergency can't happen to you! In 2006, I was in the Dublin, Ireland airport. The announcement for boarding had been given and I thought I would go to the ladies' room first. I passed out and hit my head! EMT's came and examined me. They said they absolutely couldn't let me board the plane and that they had to take me to the hospital. Then I passed out on the way to the ambulance!
The people in the Royal Irish Hospital were extremely polite and medically tops. The first evening, someone from their financial office came, asked if I had medical insurance and I showed them my card which they copied. They said, "No problem. They'll pay us." I was admitted for three days with extensive tests that showed nothing was wrong. I was really stressed because daughter #5 was getting married in Boston the next day! They allowed me to go back to the U.S.A. and told me I needed to followup with my regular physician, which, of course, I did. No cause was ever found!
The wedding was wonderful!
That was NOT the end of the experience, unfortunately. After eight months, I got a bill from a collection agency in Switzerland! They told me that they were trying to collect the unpaid hospital bill from the Royal Irish Hospital. I had assumed my medical insurance had already paid it. I had never even seen the bill. I told the collection agency I certainly would see that they got their money. I called my medical insurance company and gave them the information. They said it had gone 'to the wrong internal committee.' And that they would send it to the correct committee for payment. After several months of the 'run-around', I decided to consult a lawyer. She said that there was a time for limitations in cases like this, sent the medical insurance company a letter which told them, in plain language, that 'pay it now, or else we sue you.'
OK, the medical insurance company paid the bill, which was given in euros, in dollars. The collection agency told me the balance, approximately $500. Another hassle with the medical insurance company and the balance was paid.
I learned many lessons: 1) get a copy of the bill which will be sent to your insurance company and 2) followup with your insurance company when you get home.
One particularly blistery almost 100-degree day in Rome, Italy, I needed some talcum powder. The nearest pharmacy not only quickly knew what I wanted, they spoke English. I'd be willing to say that you could be almost anywhere and someone could speak enough English to know your needs.
Do you feel safe when traveling by plane? There are several members of my large family who were afraid to travel in planes for many years. Finally, there were places they wanted to go that were too far away to drive so they overcame their fear of flying. Statistics show we're much safer in an airplane than we are in cars. For every 100,000 air flights, there is one death. Now how many car accidents have we been in, in our lives? Happy flying!
FYI: The Irish hospital's emergency room was very, very busy, but also very civilized and very quiet. Every hour or two, a friendly woman with a cart of tea pots and cups came around and asked, "Cup-o-tea? Cup-o-tea?"
FYI: "P" stands for "Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance." See this blog, July 31, 2013.
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