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What Happens if You Have a Medical Emergency Abroad? What You Need to Know

When you travel outside of the U.S., you may find yourself in unfamiliar territory which can feel intimidating. If you’re a traveler with a pre-existing medical condition or want to know your options for coverage in case of an emergency, we can help you understand your options and what you should do if you need help during international travel.

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Understanding medical emergencies abroad

International travel comes with its own complexities compared to domestic travel. For instance, your U.S. healthcare plan may provide coverage from state to state but may not cover the cost of medical care overseas. Because of this, you’ll want to go into your trip with a plan, especially if you’re a traveler with pre-existing medical conditions.

Depending on your destination, you might have trouble finding quality care or may need help locating a doctor who speaks your language. You can get assistance with these issues from the U.S. Embassy or through a travel insurance plan, but it’s still a good idea to do some research in advance yourself. 

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How to prepare for medical emergencies abroad

While no one plans to have an emergency, it’s best to be prepared for emergencies, especially if you’re a traveler with a pre-existing medical condition. Plus, medical emergencies while traveling can be stressful and costly, especially when you're far from home, unfamiliar with local healthcare systems, or dealing with language barriers.

While no one wants to think about worst-case scenarios, you can save yourself some trouble by  taking a few precautions before you travel. Be sure to:

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Buy the right travel insurance plan

The right travel insurance plan may be able to provide you with medical expense coverage and can include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver to remove exclusions around medical conditions you already have.

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Carry your medical information

If you have an existing medical condition, be sure to keep your healthcare information on you. This can look like a doctor’s note describing your condition, a medical I.D. bracelet or your labeled prescription medication.

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Bring extra medication

Be sure to pack plenty of medication for your trip. It’s best practice to have your medication in the bag from the pharmacy with the label intact to move through security with ease. If you run out or lose your medication overseas, you can contact the U.S. embassy for help with refills and pharmacy locations. Or, if you have a travel insurance plan, you can contact the assistance services center.

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Research local pharmacies/healthcare providers

Look for the local pharmacies and hospitals in the city you’re visiting before your trip. This will give you time to create an emergency plan if something were to happen. Plus, you can find which healthcare providers are best rated among tourists, so you have an idea about the care you’ll receive.

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For travelers with existing medical conditions, you should consider a travel insurance plan to provide you with medical expense coverage while you’re abroad. With Travel Guard, you can qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver to remove the exclusions around existing medical conditions if you purchase your travel insurance plan within 15 days of your first trip payment. You’ll get access to our assistance services team as well who can assistance with finding medication replacement, medical equipment rentals or replacements and locating a health care facility for you.

Even without a pre-existing medical condition, a travel insurance plan is still beneficial to help you be prepared for the unexpected. If you’re planning on any adventurous activities while traveling, like mountain climbing, you may consider the Adventure Sports Bundle to remove exclusions around certain extreme activities.

Steps to take if you have a medical emergency abroad

So, what happens if you do have a medical emergency abroad? It can vary depending on the severity of your situation.

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Find a healthcare facility

In general, you’ll want to find the right facility to take care of you, if you researched in advance, you may already know where to go. If not, you can contact the assistance service center if you have a travel insurance plan, or you can the U.S. Embassy at your destination.

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Once you arrive

After you arrive at the proper healthcare facility and receive treatment, you may be required to pay for these costs out of pocket.  If you have a travel insurance plan you’ll be able to file a claim for reimbursement for covered expenses (be sure and save receipts, medical reports and any other paperwork you receive). If you can’t afford the out-of-pocket expense, it’s possible that you may be able to work with the local U.S. Embassy to get a loan to cover treatment costs until you’re back home.

If the hospital you arrive at isn’t suitable for your treatment, our assistance team can help facilitate a transfer to a better-suited health care center.

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After treatment

Upon your return, you’ll be able to file a claim for your covered medical expenses and unused costs of your trip if you have a travel insurance plan. Unused costs can include certain non-refundable costs and fees associated with planned activities you didn’t get to enjoy.

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Navigating the healthcare system in foreign countries

If you don’t speak the language of your destination, it can be difficult to communicate the issues you’re having, thus delaying your treatment. With a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, our assistance team can try to locate an English-speaking doctor or provide translation services if needed.

What if you don’t have a travel insurance plan?

Traveling without medical expense coverage potentially can be expensive depending on several factors like your destination and the treatment you need.

Certain countries like Switzerland, Australia, Singapore and Brazil have some of the highest healthcare rates in the world. Not having medical expense coverage while traveling may be costly.

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Emergency medical help abroad

Before you take off to your destination, make sure you’re prepared with helpful contact information and the right travel insurance plan.

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U.S. Embassy

Be sure you have the contact information of the U.S. Embassy at your destination. You can visit the official U.S. Embassy website for a complete list of embassies and consulates.

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A Travel Insurance Plan

Our Deluxe Plan is a great option for international travelers since it has the highest coverage limits. It includes the Medical Bundle as well, which may allow you to pick the hospital of your choice and offers medical evacuation if you need to be transferred, subject to the policy limitations and exclusions.

While international travel can feel intimidating, the benefits of exploring a new land and culture may far outweigh the risks. Whether you have a trip in mind or have concrete plans, you can get coverage when you’re ready. From travel delays to medical evacuation, our team is available to help 24/7 so you’re never alone in a crisis. Ready to get started?

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Coverage available to residents of U.S. states and the District of Columbia only. This plan provides insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. Similar travel insurance coverage, offered by Travel Guard or another insurance provider, may be available through a variety of other sources, but may be subject to different terms and conditions (i.e. benefits, limits, exclusions, etc.). You may wish to compare the terms and conditions of this policy with those of your existing life, health, home and automobile insurance policies, as well as any other coverage which you may already have or is available to you, including through other insurers, as a member of an organization, or through your credit card program(s). If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc. (Travel Guard). California lic. no.0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482, www.travelguard.com. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP. This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 37th FL, New York, NY 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states. Travel assistance services provided by Travel Guard.