Exploring a new country can be exciting, but that excitement comes with risks. Most of the nearly 100 million Americans who traveled abroad in 2023 experienced nothing more than an upset stomach or a common cold. But what happens if you get injured or sick? How do you find a doctor and who pays for your care?
These tips can help you prepare for your trip, navigate health care systems in foreign countries, and reduce your chances of being stuck with a huge bill.
Not all medicines are available or welcome abroad
Some medicines can be difficult to find abroad. That’s why it’s smart to pack over-the-counter medications for common ailments like traveler’s diarrhea, said Dr. Lin H. Chen, who directs the Center for Travel Medicine at the Mt. Auburn, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Keep prescription drugs in their original packaging to prove they are yours. For any pre-existing conditions that require medication, it is wise to carry a letter from your doctor.
Some countries have restrictions on pharmaceutical products. For example, Adderall is not allowed in Japan. Also, some medicines have different names abroad, such as acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), which is called paracetamol in many countries. Check individual US Embassy pages on the State Department website for information about medications you are allowed to carry with you, especially if you need to take them on a regular basis.
Buy enough insurance for the worst case scenario
Before your trip, check your health cover. “Most health insurance providers do not cover international medical insurance or are often limited,” said Rupa Mehta, chief executive of Squaremouth, which operates a digital marketplace for travel insurance as well as offering policies.
Private U.S. insurance companies typically won’t cover most medical expenses abroad, Ms. Mehta. The same goes for Medicare and Medicaid. Check with your provider. some may make exceptions to what they will cover.
Consider purchasing travel medical insurance, which offers broad coverage for expenses such as medical treatment, trip cancellation and evacuation. Prices for this type of insurance are usually based on 5 to 10 percent of the total amount of your trip, Ms. Mehta. So for a $5,000 trip, coverage can cost $250 to $500.
For travel to a developing country, make sure your policy has medical evacuation coverage. “If it’s something like a ruptured spleen and you’re somewhere far away, they’ll probably direct you to arrange some kind of evacuation,” Dr. Chen said. Without medevac coverage, you could end up paying $100,000 or more, Ms. Mehta said.
To find a doctor, use online tools or ask a local
If you need to see a doctor while abroad, start with your hotel or Airbnb host. You can also search by country on the US Consulate website, then select “Medical Assistance” under “US Citizens”. In some destinations, such as France, the US Embassy lists English-speaking providers and hospitals by region. Local pharmacies can also help you locate a doctor quickly.
Most travel insurance providers, such as Allianz Global and World Nomads, provide lists of doctors to policyholders. GeoBlue also provides in-house telemedicine providers and clinic listings for members.
Many countries also have affordable (starting at around $20) urgent care services (in person and online), such as DoctorsSA, which has clinics across Europe as well as Turkey, Mexico, Vietnam and Thailand.
National healthcare is not always free
If you are an American traveling to a country with national health care, such as Canada or Britain, you will likely be charged for medical care, even if you have insurance.
However, there are exceptions. Dr. Chen recalled hearing from a traveler who had received treatment for hepatitis A while vacationing in Denmark. The fees were “obtained in full at no cost to the patient,” he said.
On the other hand, Lenny Mauricio, 42, a business owner from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, traveled to Colombia without insurance in April 2023. Mr. Mauricio needed stitches and minor plastic surgery after a photo of his Airbnb popped into his head. The landlord found a specialist to help him, but the care and medication cost him $1,500.
Hospitals are not the same everywhere
“There are huge variations in overseas hospitals,” said Dr. Chen. For example, hospitals abroad are likely to have wards (several beds in one large room) rather than single rooms, and someone may need to bring meals from abroad to hospitalized patients, he explained.
Amanda Shor, 37, an account executive from Seattle, became seriously ill with diarrhea, vomiting and fever while traveling in Vietnam in September 2023. She was hospitalized for three days and the conditions were alarming. She recalled there being cockroaches on the wall and mud on the floor and was concerned when she saw staff using needles in unsanitary conditions. In many developing countries, private clinics may offer better conditions and more options for care than public hospitals. US embassy staff, hotel staff, and other locals may be able to direct you to such a clinic.
Foreign hospitals may also have different rules for visitors. You may consider bringing copies of legal documents such as a marriage license to prove your relationship if you are in a same-sex relationship (but keep in mind that many countries still do not recognize same-sex unions. check the ILGA World map before from you trip). And if you are a parent whose child has a different last name, you may want to consider bringing a copy of the birth certificate.
Finally, if you are hospitalized abroad, the US Embassy can notify your family, help with remittances for medical expenses, and visit you in traumatic and critical situations. Before you go abroad, consider signing up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to stay connected with the US Embassy, just in case.
For more travel tips, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.
