When getting ready for an overseas adventure, most of us just toss our meds into a suitcase and hope for the best. But hey, when it comes to staying healthy on the road, a little prep can save you a massive headache if things go haywire. Whether you’re a spring chicken or a wise old owl, there are things to think over before jetting off and getting that passport stamped. Keeping tabs on your meds and making sure you’re covered for any medical emergency that might unfold could really be a matter of life and death!
Know Your Meds
One of the first things to do is to give your prescription medication list a thorough once-over. Making sure you’ve got the right amount of medication is as crucial as knowing the name of active ingredients and their dosage. You might need to have a little chat with your doctor about this. And hey, some countries take their rules on controlled substances pretty seriously, so you might need to get the green light before packing those. It turns out that some medications allowed in the US are a no-go in other places. So, it’s best to know before you go, unless you’re into doing the jailhouse rock in foreign prisons! Believe it or not, even some over-the-counter drugs may need a doctor’s note in other countries. If you find out that your go-to medication is not allowed at your destination, just reach out to your home embassy and ask for permission to bring it along.
Organize and Document!
You need to do a few things to make travel, and any possible questions regarding your meds as painless as possible to navigate.
- Keep your meds in their original containers
- Have a copy of your prescription with you
- Have a letter from the prescribing doctor for any controlled substances
- Make sure the name on the label matches your passport
- Know the name of the medication (not the brand name!)
- Be able to identify both the active ingredient and the dosage
This list is also important in case you need an emergency refill. I arrived in the Dominican Republic once only to find I had left my medication at home. I was able to show the resort doctor my prescription and he gave me enough to last until I headed home!
Doctor! Doctor!
Many domestic health insurance policies don’t cover things that may come up when you are out of the country, so taking proper precaution before you climb that mountain or dive into the deep blue sea after taking a resort scuba class is a must. So you thought that four wheel excursion was a GREAT idea…..until it wasn’t! A friend went airborne on one in another country (where the quality of health care was suspect to say the least) and ended up needing a medical airlift back to the US for surgery on a broken hip. The cost was tens of thousands of dollars that they were blessed to be able to put on credit cards. An international travel insurance policy would have covered some, if not all of these charges.
Travel insurance can protect not just travel expenses, lost belongings and interrupted travel plans, but unexpected health issues as well. Checking international coverage on your domestic health insurance policy before your trip is key. Regardless of age, your health policy may not cover you overseas. If you are over 65 and have Medicare Parts A and B, healthcare services outside the US are not covered. A travel insurance policy can fill in the gaps where your domestic policy falls short. You can choose the coverage you want and cost is based on age and amount of coverage. An extra few dollars a day will be well worth it in the unfortunate event that you need medical attention.
I’ve Seen the Future, I Can’t Afford It
So, no need to cocoon yourself in bubble wrap, unless it’s a fashion statement! But, before you wrap up your travel checklist, make sure your meds are all packed, in good supply, and documented. And most importantly, be ready for any unexpected issues that might pop up. Nobody wants to return from a highly anticipated international adventure in pain and in debt. The CDC also recommends that you enroll with the Department of States Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) where you can find out about travel advisories for your destination. This also assures that the US State Department knows your whereabouts if you have any medical issues. Ensure you’re fully covered for any sneaky health hiccups then have a blast hanging onto those cliffs!
Julie's Adventures In Wanderland 