Perfect Preparation for Summer Travel Abroad

An essential part of being able to enjoy your trip abroad is to plan in advance for potential emergencies. Preparing for possible medical needs regarding medications, air ambulances, insurance issues and more is especially important.

You have your passport, the bags are packed, and the neighbor will water the plants. You’ve packed the sunscreen, arranged for overseas cell service and even picked up universal adapters – all items are checked off on your travel to-do list. You are all set for the perfect overseas vacation, or are you?

Let’s face it, vacation provides the opportunity to temporarily escape from reality. Why ruin the mood with thoughts of doom and gloom?! Planning for emergencies does not have to be a downer. A little preparation will help you to relax knowing that you have it all covered. The quick health tips below will help you to breathe easier as you prepare to travel this summer.

Register with the US Embassy or Consulate.

Registering with the local embassy is a good idea even when traveling to countries that are safe. In the event of an emergency the American consular officers will be able to assist you. You can register online at the embassy travel registration site or upon arrival by visiting the local office.

Additionally the embassy can be a wealth of information for Americans traveling abroad. They can provide information about the political climate, local medical physicians or facilities and much more.

Medical Evacuation.

What happens if you become injured or ill while traveling? You can arrange to be transported back to the US for treatment. Air Ambulance services can transport you to a US facility. You will be safely transported in the company of trained medical professionals. The medical evacuation team can coordinate bed to bed transportation, ensuring that you are safely transported back to the states without compromising your care. Keep the number of an Air Ambulance Service with your medical information for handy access in the event of an emergency.

Prescription Medications

Keep a separate list of all prescription medications, including dosage, pharmacy number and prescribing physician. This will facilitate replacement if your luggage is lost or in case of a medical emergency. Keep all prescription medications in original bottles.

Insurance

Check with your health insurance company to ensure that you understand your coverage while traveling. If you need medical attention will you have to pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement? Do they have contracts with physicians and/or facilities where you will be traveling? Is there a special phone number to call while traveling?

All vacations near and far require advance planning. This becomes more important when you are traveling abroad. With just a few extra steps of preparation you can truly relax and enjoy your trip knowing that you have truly attended to every detail!