Hospitals, Health Care and Miscellaneous Health Ideas

Surely the worst thing in the world-almost-is to get sick when you are away from home-especially when you are out of the country! But in case this happens, let’s just look at some options.

Before you leave, you will want to check with your healthcare insurance company to see if you have any coverage out of the country. Recently I actually opted to stay with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, since the other company’s plan I was looking at would not cover me out of the country.

In addition, there are different plans which provide different types of insurance. You can check out www.insuremytrip.com  to see what they have to offer. (This is also a trip cancellation insurance program.) There is also a company called www.MedjetAssist.com which you join for an annual fee that will provide you transportation to any hospital, if you require hospital care. This includes a trip back to the US! 

Of course, it will depend on how sick you are. It is easy to get many prescription drugs at the pharmacies in many foreign countries. That plus the internet might give you some ideas how to deal with whatever malady might hit you. You could probably also call your own doctor to explain the situation and see what he or she says.

You will find that the pharmacists are very helpful! Pharmacies are usually as omni-present as Dunkin' Donuts  with their distinctive large green cross outside the door. This pharmacy was on Crete. They are usually closed mid-day for two or three hours, but there is a sign to tell you where the 24 hour pharmacies are.

When Karen was stung by the jellyfish in Aguillas, Spain last fall, our neighbor helped us immensely by calling the local pharmacist, who told her what to get for immediate help and relief!

Speaking of prescription drugs, the tour guides all suggest that you be sure to take existing prescriptions in their original containers in your carry-on, in case your luggage is misplaced. Depending on your medical condition, the books also suggest you take a note from your doctor explaining what your condition in case you need additional medical help on your trip.

When my friend Carol and I were in France, she took a nasty fall, so we went to the Emergency Room in Lyon. They took very good care of her including many xrays. They told her to see a doctor before we returned home to be sure she was well enough to fly home. She incurred minimal fees for her care, plus her insurer reimbursed her for what she did have to pay.( By the way, you would want to take a dictionary with you, if you do not speak the language, as many of the folks we contacted did not speak English.
All over the island of Sardinia, they had small clinic like facilities for emergencies, which were open during the busy tourist season.