Falling Ill Whilst Travelling - Your Medical Survival Guide

When you are on your travels, losing your luggage or having a wallet scouse borrowed is a right agony. However, this pales into insignificance next to the heartache that will arise from falling sick or sustaining an injury while abroad. Not all states have a free health service, so you might run up thousands on a medical bill if you fall sick. For that reason, it is smart ( to claim the least ) not only to take out travel insurance, but also to be certain that you get a satisfactory level of cover from your policy. Doctor Doctor - when do I pay my medical bills? If you are only shelling out little amounts everytime to pay for drugs or minor treatment, then it's less hassle to pay right away - then you can claim the costs back later. In more heavy cases, then be certain to contact your insurance supplier's emergency contact line when you run into difficulty.
Then you should be ready to bill bigger medical costs without delay to your insurer. Don't forget that you could be needed to cover the policy excess in such cases. Doctor Doctor - what are the exclusions? Your policy might be announced void by your travel insurance supplier if you fail to tell them established conditions. Thus it's best to tell them if any of those travelling on the policy : * have any established medical conditions * are pregnant ( sometimes more than twenty weeks, though take a look at your insurance supplier's limit to be certain ) * are awaiting surgery, or some kind of medical inquiry * are travelling against their doctor's recommendation Also, though you could be in rare health, you may put yourself at risk by taking part in any activities deemed dangerous by your insurance supplier. If you believe this is the case, then ask your insurance supplier to outline which activities are said to be unsafe, and you can then establish the right level of cover.

Doctor Doctor - what of my medicine and vaccinations? Whatever your destination, it's an excellent idea to be totally insured for any medical emergency, including repatriation.

If you take any medicine with you, be certain to check first that it's legal in the country you are visiting. If it is prescribed medicine, then it's an excellent idea to take the prescription and ideally a doctor's letter with you. Pack any medicine in your hand luggage, as it's not as likely to get lost.