BEFORE YOUR TRAVEL...

Preparing for international travel can be just as important as remembering to bring your airline ticket with you to the airport or packing the appropriate clothes. Without preparing for health, security or other potential travel concerns – you may be better off staying at home.

For your well-being, follow these pre-travel health tips…

PRE-TRAVEL HEALTH PLANNING

Schedule a visit to a travel health clinic or provider at least eight weeks in advance (if possible) of planned travel to allow time for any needed immunizations. The travel health specialist will provide information specific to the travel area, administer required and recommended immunizations, prescribe medications that may be indicated for malaria prevention, and suggest actions indicated for disease prevention. Many health care providers do not have expertise in travel medicine and do not stock required/recommended immunizations. Travel clinics will provide these services and stock needed immunizations. Be aware that these services may be considered elective by insurance carriers and not covered.

Obtain a copy of pertinent health records to carry, if there is any possibility that a chronic or ongoing health problem may require treatment while traveling.

When traveling, carry your health provider name and contact information for emergency referral. If your provider has a toll-free phone number, obtain direct phone number to be used for international calls.

Yellow fever immunization is required for entry into some countries; the unvaccinated traveler may be denied entry, vaccinated upon entry or placed in isolation. The yellow fever immunization must be given at an official yellow fever vaccination center, as designated by health departments. The administering official must have a Uniform Stamp. Your travel health specialist will have this capability.

Some immunizations are a series that takes six months to complete. Shortened schedules are available. Even completing part of the series can offer protection.

Not enough time for all these preparations? Travel medicine specialists can assist with timely solutions to provide the best health protection including abbreviated immunization schedules and loading doses of medications.


Health Insurance

Contact your HR Director or Risk Manager to determine if your company’s health insurance policy will provide coverage for medical expenses incurred in a foreign country. If your family is traveling with you, ask about dependent coverage as well.

Most domestic plans provide limited coverage for medical expenses incurred in a foreign country. However, this coverage is often at a reduced benefit and available only on a “pay-and-submit basis,” where you would have to make any initial payments. For this reason, retain all original billings required when filing for reimbursement. If at all possible, request itemized billings – not the norm in many countries.

Many plans exclude coverage for emergency medical evacuations. If so, inquire about supplemental travel medical insurance that includes benefits for emergency medical evacuation. Evacuation expenses can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Some travel medical insurance plans pay direct to foreign providers. This is a very important and often overlooked consideration when evaluating various programs.

Few international providers recognize US medical insurance plans. For this reason, some corporations maintain a separate contract with a travel assistance firm that can offer 24-hour assistance for medical, security, personal or other travel-related emergencies. Services often include providing payment guarantees for admission deposits and subsequent hospital expenses.

Lastly, check your policy for any exclusion such as dangerous activities. This could impact on reimbursement of medical emergencies encountered while involved in activities including trekking, motorcycling and scuba diving.


MEDICATIONS AND FIRST-AID SUPPLIES

Pack enough medication to cover any unscheduled delays in travel. Carry all medications in your carry-on luggage. To minimize the suspicion of customs officials, carry medications in their original labeled containers (not mixed in other containers), carry your original, written prescriptions and, in a separate place, write down the name (including the generic name), strength and dose of your medications, with your doctor's name and contact information.

Replacing prescriptions abroad may be difficult. Needed products may be unavailable or of questionable quality. Use a medical alert bracelet if your medication or condition merits one.

A medical first aid kit will help with minor injuries and give you a supply of common medications that may be difficult to acquire during travel. Customize your kit to fit your travel (for example, trekking will pose different needs than visiting a city). Suggested items include:

General


Outdoor Or Adventure Travel


Children's Needs


Other


ADDITIONAL PRE-TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS:

 





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