Injuries Abroad
Before you travel abroad, you should talk to your insurance company. It’s important for you to find out if your policy applies when you travel outside the United States. You should also get an idea of what will happen if you are taken to a foreign emergency room. This can get tricky when entering countries with healthcare administration that is different from our own. When talking with your insurance company, make sure to find out if an emergency trip back to the United States is in your policy. You should ask about high-risk activities that often take place on vacations, like swimming with sharks, downhill skiing, bungee jumping, and other dangerous activities.
Finally, find out if your insurer will pay hospital and doctor bills directly. In countries with questionable governments, different languages, different currencies, or other challenges, it may be more complicated than you anticipate. Some governments require that all expenses be paid before a return to the United States, which can present major problems if you traveled with insufficient funds, or were unprepared for the accident.
Some specific things to be aware of:
- Medicare does not cover any care provided outside of the United States.
- Some countries require that foreign guests carry traveler’s insurance.
- Canada does not cover any medical bills for visitors.
- Mexico’s version of 9-1-1- is the number 0-6-6.
To find doctors and hospitals in the country you are visiting, check the Official American Board of Medical Specialists Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists. Using this tool, you can check the qualifications of a doctor or healthcare provider in another country. If this doesn’t provide adequate information, get in contact with the United States Consulate or Embassy. They can offer solid information about the country as a whole, but more importantly, about healthcare and other options you have as an American in a foreign country.
It’s important that you carry your insurance card with you while abroad. You should also carry enough cash to provide basic care, in case the provider requires it before emergency procedures are administered. When you return to the states, it’s likely that your insurance provider will reimburse you for the costs of foreign medical care. While it may be a big hit initially, you’ll get the money back eventually.
If you have any questions about your conversation with your insurance company, or want to talk about your spring break injury with an experienced personal injury lawyer, contact us at the Law Offices of Matt & Allen. Be sure to know what to do if you get in an accident while you’re abroad. Preparation can be key, especially if communication is limited and you’re unable to connect to the Internet. We encourage you to write down your insurance information and our phone number for peace of mind while you’re on vacation. We wish you a safe and relaxing spring break season!
