Having no knowledge about the local language or unacceptance of insurance can become a big problem even while filling a prescription. According to U.S.
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, in 2012 nearly 61 million Americans traveled for pleasure or business with tours rising to 6.8 million only in July.
The
Caribbean, Asia and Europe aggregately recorded nearly 80% of all trips outside
North America. Here are some tips for you to take care of your health wherever
in the world you travel.
Prescription
It
is better to bring ample amount of medication with you than rushing here and
there in the country which you don’t know. By showing your travel itinerary,
most pharmacies will give you a prolonged supply of medication. When traveling
abroad make sure to write your name in the original bottles with prescriptions,
so as to overcome any problems while your baggage is searched.
Dr.
Sal Pardo, vice chair of emergency medicine at the Long Island Jewish Medical
Center said, “Any medication should be identified and kept in properly marked
bottles as it is reasonable and guaranteed way to travel with medicine.”
Ensure
to check medicine like Codeine (pain medication) in the embassy to make certain
that the drug is not illegal in the country that you are visiting. Lists of US
embassies are avail on the department website www.usembassy.gov where you can
easily search for the required embassies.
If you happen to lose medication or if certainty of any new prescription is needed than email or fax from a U.S physician will be honored by the pharmacies abroad.
If you happen to lose medication or if certainty of any new prescription is needed than email or fax from a U.S physician will be honored by the pharmacies abroad.
However
in some countries pain medications, antibiotics and other common
pharmaceuticals are dispensed at pharmacy without the need of a prescription.
INSURANCE
As,
most government and employer based health plans do not cover medical care in
foreign countries, many travel companies suggest travel health insurance.
Companies like Travel Guard (www.travelguard.com) offer an array of health
coverage from essential medical expenses to medical evacuation along with
covering the cancelled trips/travel delays.
International
flight can cost you $50, 000 or more depending on the country and the condition
of the patient making an insurance policy. According to Laurene Taylor of
Liberty Travel, a New York-based travel agency, repatriation of dismembered
limbs and other remains of adventure travelers can also be covered. Travel
insurance prices vary depending on the expense of the tour and the age bar of
travelers, for example: 30 year old traveler for a trip of $1, 500 may be
charged $80 whereas 70 year old traveler for same trip may be charged $160.
Pardo
suggest these policies for both younger patients and older patients with
established health problems. Pardo said, “The young or healthy group of people
who travel abroad for 3 months are the one who don’t expect anything but they
are the ones to get into problem. Unexpectedly, they need these services”.
DOCTORS
In
any uncertainty like a stung of a jelly fish while swimming, your health
insurance does not cover your overseas travel, than luckily there are various
organizations that assist you in finding expert physicians. www.iamat.org/doctors_clinics.cfm
a website of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers
(IAMAT) maintains an online database of the English speaking and licensed
doctors in 90 countries.
In
some hotel, English-speaking doctors are call on request. Travelers with
allergies, chronic condition or rare blood types are urged by the doctors to
bring a form with their health record. www.er101.org by the American College of
Emergency Physicians provides health record form by which your doctor can point
out the things to be included.
Lastly,
this is something you want to keep in your pocket or wallet/purse rather than
baggage that stays in the room of your hotel or any other place.
