{"id":19522,"date":"2022-02-22T09:06:02","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T14:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19522"},"modified":"2023-03-20T13:19:58","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T18:19:58","slug":"how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/healthcare-trends\/how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find Medical Care While Traveling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vacations are supposed to be stress-free \u2014 blissful even. Whether it\u2019s skiing the Swiss Alps or lounging on a white-sand beach somewhere, regardless of your destination, going to the doctor likely isn\u2019t on your itinerary.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But there\u2019s always a chance your vacation could take an unexpected detour, and you\u2019ll find yourself in need of medical care. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5825178\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research shows<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that 6 to 87 percent of individuals get sick during an international trip. And there\u2019s a wide range of pesky issues you could experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 is still prevalent worldwide. Dr.\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/find-care\/find-a-doctor\/emergency-medicine\/dr-eric-christopher-cioe-pena-md-11363430\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eric Cioe-Pe\u00f1a<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, M.D. MPH FACEP, the director of global health at Northwell Health, says mosquito bites in the southern hemisphere can cause yellow fever. Bacteria in running water and food can bring on bouts of traveler\u2019s diarrhea. Depending on the destination, rates of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/what-to-do-if-you-get-sick-on-vacation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">traveler\u2019s diarrhea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can range from 5 to 50 percent, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1477893905000918?via%3Dihub\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">per a 2007 meta-analysis.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The analysis found that you were more likely to contract the issue in northern Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not venturing out of the US, staying stateside doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019ll stay healthy. For example, tick-borne illnesses, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33507921\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like Lyme Disease<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are common in the northeast. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says it\u2019s also possible anywhere to sustain an injury that requires medical attention, whether you slip by the pool or while hiking somewhere remote. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It sounds scary, but preparation can help you navigate medical care away from home. Experts shared some tips on navigating medical care in the U.S. and abroad. They also offered prevention strategies to avoid needing medical care in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Accessing Care in the US<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare locations for domestic U.S. travelers\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need medical assistance on vacation, it\u2019s likely not routine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHospital emergency rooms and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/urgent-care\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urgent care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> centers or clinics should be your first go-to in the event of an emergency,\u201d says Christian Worstell, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicareadvantage.com\/authors\/christian-worstell\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">licensed insurance agent at MedicareAdvantage.com.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where you\u2019re traveling will also play a role in what type of care you can access.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;s certainly easier to find help in a more populated area where more resources are available,\u201d Worstell says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, you\u2019ll have an easier time finding multiple hospitals and urgent cares in New York City than on the Appalachian Trail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhenever traveling to remote places, do your homework before you leave home to locate hospitals, urgent care clinics and other healthcare centers in or near the area,\u201d Worstell says. \u201cNote their hours of operation. It&#8217;s not uncommon for rural locations to have more limited hours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your insurance company may have a 24\/7 hotline that allows members to call and speak with a nurse about an injury or illness. They can provide more insight on what it might be, whether you require medical care and where to get it. You can find out if your company offers a hotline on its website or by calling the member services number on your card.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to have a copy of your insurance card and any medical records on pre-existing conditions. Worstell says it may be challenging to access them online in a remote location.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigating healthcare costs while traveling in the U.S.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By law, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/what-the-no-surprises-act-means-for-your-medical-bills\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insurance companies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cover <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.policygenius.com\/health-insurance\/how-emergency-rooms-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emergency room services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for medical emergencies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Match out-of-network copayments or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/the-health-insurance-terms-you-need-to-know\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coinsurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to match in-network rates.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIn the event of an emergency, it&#8217;s not necessary to visit an in-network provider,\u201d Worstell says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But there\u2019s a catch: Other out-of-network charges may arise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhile emergency care is covered even when obtained outside of your plan&#8217;s network, other services received may not qualify as \u2018emergency care\u2019 and therefore would not be covered or not covered as much by your plan,\u201d Worstell says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, the initial care for a rock-climbing fall may be covered. But if you are kept overnight for concussion monitoring, that may not be covered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worstell suggests reviewing your policy before you go, so you know what is covered and how. You can also see if any hospitals in the area you are traveling are in-network by calling the insurance company or searching the directory on its website.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should you receive medical care while traveling in the U.S., Worstell advises people to keep the following in a safe place:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medications the doctors prescribed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A phone number to follow up with the hospital or care center<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dates and times of any follow-up appointments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test results, including information on how and when you will receive them<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Billing or claims information<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other discharge information, like instructions on diet, exercise and activities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worstell suggests having written documentation of all of the above items.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt can be easy to forget them at a time when you may have just endured&#8230;stress or are experiencing effects from pain or medication,\u201d Worstell says. \u201cBilling and claim information is important to keep in case you have to file a claim or appeal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Accessing care abroad<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, travelers can access public or government-funded hospitals or urgent care in countries outside. The quality of care and the best location to choose will depend on your destination.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says higher-income nations, like those in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Canada and eastern Asia, typically have government-funded hospitals on-par with \u2014 if not better than \u2014 U.S. care. Physicians are available in urgent care centers and emergency rooms 24\/7, and the hospitals have modern equipment and supplies to treat everything from cardiac arrest to a broken leg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If traveling to counties such as Kenya or the Dominican Republic, Cioe-Pe\u00f1a recommends seeking a private hospital or urgent care. He says government-funded facilities may not have all the needed supplies, and an employee may need to go to a nearby pharmacy to purchase the IV solution you need. The hours can also vary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou may get to a hospital, and the doctors are not there in the afternoon,\u201d Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Locating healthcare<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says most U.S. Embassies can help you find healthcare while abroad. Check the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usembassy.gov\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. State Department website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other resources to find medical care while overseas include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.istm.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International Society of Travel Medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for listings of recommended doctors and travel clinics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jointcommissioninternational.org\/about-jci\/accredited-organizations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint Commission International<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (JCI) for medical centers and hospitals that have met the standards for the JCI Gold Seal of Approval<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iamat.org\/medical-directory\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for English-speaking doctors in your destination<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>What to know about insurance abroad<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your insurance plan may or may not cover emergency care abroad. Before leaving, you\u2019ll want to check your coverage. If international care is not covered, you\u2019ll want to consider travel insurance. Cioe-<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pe\u00f1a says travel insurance covers emergency services while abroad, namely if you develop a medical condition while overseas that requires attention, such as chest pains, or get injured, such as breaking a bone while hiking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Routine care you can receive at home, like a pap smear, probably won\u2019t be covered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t have an underlying condition and are only going overseas for a two or three-day conference, Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says you can probably skip this expense. But if you have an underlying condition, will be overseas longer or plan to take part in a risky activity like rock climbing,\u00a0 Cioe-Pe\u00f1a advises getting traveler\u2019s insurance just in case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhtp.com\/how-much-does-travel-insurance-cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel insurance typically<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> costs 5 to 10 percent of your total trip cost. If your trip costs $10,000, expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 for insurance. It may seem like a hefty cost, but it&#8217;s usually worth it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you go into a hospital abroad without traveler\u2019s insurance, you will likely get a bill from the bed, every doctor or specialist who sees you, like an ICU doctor and orthopedic surgeon,\u201d Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says. \u201cAny devices or medical system that the hospital doesn\u2019t keep, such as a tube for a ventilator, but not the ventilator, will probably cost you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says total costs will depend on the country and medical needs, but care without health insurance can creep into five and six-figure numbers without traveler\u2019s insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you have traveler\u2019s insurance or not, you will want to save copies of:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discharge paperwork\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any prescriptions given to you while receiving care<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receipts from bills you paid<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may need this information later if you have a question on billing or at follow-up appointments with your doctor back home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s rare that it also includes medical evacuation insurance. This insurance will get you home in the case of an emergency. Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says it\u2019s essential if traveling to a lower-income country, such as South Sudan, rural Kenya or Somalia, where the standard of medical care is low. Evacuation can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket compared to a couple hundred dollars in insurance fees. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalrescue.com\/personal\/travelservices.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Globalrescue.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has quotes on medical evacuation services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, consider trip cancellation insurance. This insurance will reimburse you for some if not all of your trip costs if you need to cancel your trip for an unforeseen reason, including injury, illness or death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>How is the quality of medical care abroad?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says in many countries, such as those in western Europe or eastern Asia, medical care is just as good if not better than the U.S.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Higher-income countries. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the U.K, France and Spain, Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says travelers can expect to have fully-equipped public and private hospitals with reputable physicians.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Middle-income countries. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCountries like the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Barbados generally have very good private health services,\u201d Cioe-Pe\u00f1a says. \u201cThere may be some things they don\u2019t do, like robotic cardiac surgery, but you can get most things tourists need [such as treatment for rock-climbing injuries] done very well.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lower-income countries. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Countries like southern Sudan and rural Kenya don\u2019t provide access to modern, quality healthcare facilities, even privately-owned ones. \u201cYou\u2019d have to be evacuated [to receive care],\u201d he says.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The country you\u2019re in isn\u2019t the only factor in determining what type of healthcare is readily available to you. Travelers hiking a remote area of Thailand will have a harder time accessing facilities than someone who twists an ankle perusing a Bangkok night market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cioe-Pe\u00f1a advises travelers to discuss their plans with an insurance agent when purchasing traveler\u2019s insurance. If you\u2019re going to be in a remote area of a country, evacuation insurance may be necessary no matter what.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Preparing for your trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>Pack a first aid kit<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bringing your own emergency\u00a0 kit can reduce the need to rely on a medical care facility for supplies. Worstell says pre-made kits sold online and at pharmacies are generally sufficient, but you should check what\u2019s in them before purchasing. Items you\u2019ll want to have include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over-the-counter cold and cough medications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gauze<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bandages<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical Tape<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Braces<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Splints<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A flashlight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-perishable food<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insect repellent\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Get all necessary vaccines<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When traveling overseas, you may be required to show proof of vaccination for diseases like polio or yellow fever, according to the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/immunization\/who-and-when\/travel\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These vaccines keep you safe and healthy as you travel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll want to get vaccinated four to six weeks before traveling and can do so at:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A travel clinic<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor\u2019s office<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some pharmacies\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your state health department has more information on where to get these vaccines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If traveling to Africa, you won\u2019t need a malaria vaccine. But your doctor will likely give you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/3-things-to-know-about-the-malaria-vaccine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antimalarial drugs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in tablet form. The mosquito-borne illness is prevalent in some areas there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some countries, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.austria.info\/en\/service-and-facts\/coronavirus-information\/entry-regulations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like Austria<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, require travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In the U.S., some places, including New York City, require proof of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/the-big-covid-vaccine-questions-answered\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 vaccination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to enter indoor entertainment and dining facilities. Worstell and Cioe-Pe\u00f1a both recommend bringing your COVID-19 vaccination card, as policies may vary by country, city, state and even establishment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/destinations\/list\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CDC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has a list of required vaccinations for travel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Do your research<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparation is the best form of prevention. Your pre-vacation research should include ways to avoid care and what happens if you need medical assistance. The sooner you receive services, the less likely it is that your condition or injury worsens. To avoid care, look into the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Disease risk<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You may need to get vaccinated against specific diseases, take an antimalarial drug, or use insect repellent in areas with increased risk for illnesses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The elements. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll want to dress to impress based on the conditions and weather in a destination. For example, you\u2019ll want sturdy shoes for hiking to mitigate falls and a warm ski jacket if you\u2019re headed to see the Northern Lights in December to avoid frostbite.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also want to be prepared to receive prompt care, just in case. Know the local medical landscape. Where are the best hospitals in your area? What is the standard of care? Your insurance company (traveler for abroad, regular insurance if staying in the U.S.) can provide this information before your trip. Keep numbers and addresses for local healthcare facilities handy, such as printed out and in a folder, in case Internet access is shoddy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Bring items you need<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to all of the above, make sure that you remember to bring the basics. Everyone will want to bring:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An insurance card, including traveler\u2019s insurance and medical evacuation information as applicable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phone numbers for local healthcare facilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phone numbers and addresses for doctors and specialists you see back home, in case local physicians need to get in touch with them<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have an underlying condition or allergy, you\u2019ll want to make sure you have what you need when you need it so you don\u2019t have to get one from a healthcare facility. These items might include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An EpiPen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A letter from your doctor describing your condition and treatment, including medications you can and should not take<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood glucose monitor for diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription medication in the original bottles\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any foods that help you manage diabetes or high blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical ID bracelets\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep these items in a consistent location, such as a pocket of your backpack, so you don\u2019t have to dig for them in an emergency.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1 class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"s1\">Ready to book a doctor\u2019s appointment? Visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Zocdoc.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you&#8217;re traveling internationally, or on the beach stateside, here&#8217;s what you should know if you get sick on a trip. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":19524,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[229],"tags":[103,22,108,78,33],"class_list":["post-19522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare-trends","tag-prep","tag-diagnosis","tag-doctors-and-patients","tag-health-insurance","tag-healthcare","reviewer-dr-nassim-assefi","specialist_by_city-urgent-care"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Find Medical Care While Traveling - Healthcare Trends<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether you&#039;re abroad, or on the beach stateside, here&#039;s what supplies you should bring and how to find proper medical care while traveling.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/healthcare-trends\/how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Find Medical Care While Traveling - Healthcare Trends\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Whether you&#039;re abroad, or on the beach stateside, here&#039;s what supplies you should bring and how to find proper medical care while traveling.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/healthcare-trends\/how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Paper Gown\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-02-22T14:06:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-20T18:19:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/zocdoc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/HeroTravel-Insurance.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"968\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"452\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Beth Ann Mayer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Beth Ann Mayer\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/healthcare-trends\/how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/healthcare-trends\/how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Beth Ann Mayer\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/3742be248c23868e21def918e8f3d599\"},\"headline\":\"How to Find Medical Care While Traveling\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-02-22T14:06:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-20T18:19:58+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/healthcare-trends\/how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling\/\"},\"wordCount\":2387,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/healthcare-trends\/how-to-find-medical-care-while-traveling\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/thepapergown.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/HeroTravel-Insurance.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Appointment Prep\",\"Diagnosis\",\"Doctors &amp; 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