Medical assistance to travelers

Traveling overseas is always an adventure, but when you fall ill, it becomes more of an ordeal than an exciting escape. Knowing what to do when you fall ill, before you leave will make your trip more pleasant, even if you do get sick.

Before You Leave

Before you leave, check with your medical insurance. Some insurance policies cover illness when the insured is traveling; however, some do not cover overseas travel. Know what your coverage is before you leave.

If you do not have adequate coverage, consider purchasing travel health insurance. These policies can pay for some of your care or the cost of traveling home if you should fall ill while on your trip.

Know Your Risks

Each country has its own unique health risks. Before you leave, do a little research about the risks at your destination, and get vaccinated against any serious illnesses you might come across. Learn what precautions to take to keep away from these diseases. For instance, if you are traveling in an area where malaria is prevalent, you can learn how to protect yourself from insect bites before you leave. These resources provide information about worldwide health risks:

- World Health Organization – The World Health Organization publishes a yearly guide to health risks around the world.

- Centers for Disease Control – A comprehensive guide to travel health risks, published by the CDC.

If You Get Sick

All of the precautions in the world cannot give you 100 percent protection against illness when traveling. If you are in a foreign country, where can you turn for help if you are injured or sick?

First, when you arrive, learn what the emergency phone number is for the area where you are traveling, provided you are in a developed nation. You do not want to be scrambling for a phone number in an emergency.

If you are staying in a hotel, they may be able to recommend a physician for you. However, if there is an embassy or consulate nearby, this may be the best option. They typically carry a list of recommended physicians. By going to one of these doctors, you have a better chance of finding one that can speak English or has an interpreter. Also, the embassy is only going to carry the names of qualified doctors, which will help put your mind at rest. These resources will help you find the embassy you need:

- American Embassies and Consulates – A comprehensive list of embassies and consulates from the State Department

- Embassies and Consulates of Great Britain – A list for British travelers.

Paying for Your Care

Getting the money for your care is difficult when you fall ill overseas. You may be asked to pay upfront before you can even see the doctor. The consular office or embassy can assist with this. They will help you arrange for money to be wired to you from someone in the states. They may even be able to make an emergency loan if you face an extreme emergency. If you are an American traveler and cannot contact a consulate, call the State Department's Overseas Citizens' Emergency Center at 202-501-4444.

Other Resources

If you want to have access to an English-speaking physician, consider contacting one on the International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers list. This group has physicians listed in 140 countries, and the doctors on the list all agree to treat members of the group for just $20 a visit. This is an excellent option for minor illnesses. Intermedic is another similar service, with doctors in 200 countries that charge between $30 and $40 for members who seek their services. Intermedic does not have a website, but can be contacted at (212) 486-8900.

For more information on your health when traveling, visit:

- Travel Health Online – designed to help travelers find doctors and learn about risks before traveling.

- MD Travel Health –detailed information about overseas and local travel risks

As you prepare for the trip of your lifetime, you probably haven't thought about illness, but illness can happen. Be prepared for it before you leave, so you can better enjoy yourself once you reach your destination. Remember, there is no 911 overseas, so make sure you know what to do.