Exploring a new country can be exhilarating, but that excitement comes with risks. Most of the nearly 100 million Americans who traveled abroad in 2023 didn’t deal with anything more than stomach discomfort or a common cold. But what happens if you’re injured or get sick? How do you find a doctor, and who pays for your care?
These tips can help you prepare for your trip, navigate health care systems in foreign countries and reduce chances you’ll get stuck with a giant bill.
Not all medications are available, or welcome, overseas
Certain medicines may be hard to find abroad. That’s why it’s smart to pack over-the-counter medicines for common conditions like travelers’ diarrhea, said Dr. Lin H. Chen, who directs the Mt. Auburn Hospital Travel Medicine Center, in Cambridge, Mass. Keep prescription medications in their original packaging to prove they’re yours. For any pre-existing conditions requiring medicine, it’s wise to carry a letter from your physician.
Some countries have limitations on pharmaceuticals. For example, Adderall is not permitted in Japan. Also, certain medicines have different names abroad, like acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), which is called paracetamol in many countries. Check individual U.S. Embassy pages on the State Department website for information about what medications you are allowed to bring, especially if you need to take them on a regular basis.
Buy enough insurance for the worst-case scenario
Before your trip, check your health coverage. “Most health care insurance providers don’t cover international medical, or it’s often restricted,” said Rupa Mehta, the chief executive of Squaremouth, which operates a digital marketplace for travel insurance, as well as offering policies.
U.S. private insurance companies typically will not cover most medical expenses abroad, Ms. Mehta explained. The same goes for Medicare and Medicaid. Check with your provider; some may make exceptions for what they will cover.
Consider buying travel medical insurance, which offers broad coverage for expenses like medical care, trip cancellation and evacuation. Rates for this type of insurance are usually based on 5 to 10 percent of your total trip amount, Ms. Mehta said. So, for a $5,000 trip, coverage might cost $250 to $500.
For travel to a developing country, make certain your policy has medical-evacuation coverage. “If it’s something like a ruptured spleen and you’re somewhere remote, they will likely direct you to arrange some sort of evacuation,” Dr. Chen said. Without medevac coverage, you might end up paying $100,000 or more, Ms. Mehta said.
To find a doctor, use online tools or ask a local
If you need to see a doctor while you’re abroad, start with your hotel or Airbnb host. You can also search by country on the American Consulate website then select “Medical Assistance” in the “U.S. Citizens” section. In some destinations, like France, the U.S. Embassy lists English-speaking providers and hospitals by region. Local pharmacies can also help you locate a doctor quickly.
Most travel insurance providers, like Allianz Global and World Nomads, provide doctors’ lists to policyholders. GeoBlue also provides in-house telemedicine providers and clinic listings for members.
Many countries also have affordable (starting at about $20) urgent care services (in person and online) like DoctorsSA, which has clinics across Europe as well as in Turkey, Mexico, Vietnam and Thailand.
National health care isn’t always free
If you’re an American traveling to a country with national health care, like Canada or Britain, you will still most likely be charged for medical care, even if you have insurance.
However, there are exceptions. Dr. Chen recalled hearing from a traveler who had been treated for hepatitis A while vacationing in Denmark. The fees were “taken care of completely without cost to the patient,” she said.
On the other hand, Lenny Mauricio, 42, a business owner from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., traveled to Colombia without insurance in April 2023. Mr. Mauricio needed stitches and minor plastic surgery after a picture fell on his head at his Airbnb. The rental host found a specialist to help him, but the care and medication ended up costing him $1,500.
Hospitals aren’t the same everywhere
“There are huge variations in hospitals abroad,” said Dr. Chen. For example, hospitals abroad are likely to have wards (multiple beds in one large room) rather than single patient rooms, and someone may need to bring meals from outside to hospitalized patients, she explained.
Amanda Shor, 37, an account executive from Seattle, became seriously ill with diarrhea, vomiting and fever while traveling in Vietnam in September 2023. She was admitted to a hospital for three days, and the conditions were unsettling. She recalled there being cockroaches on the wall and mud on the floor, and she became worried after seeing the staff use needles in unsanitary conditions. In many developing countries, private clinics may offer better conditions and more care options than public hospitals; U.S. Embassy staff, hotel staff and other locals may be able to direct you to such a clinic.
Foreign hospitals may also have different rules for visitors. You might consider bringing copies of legal documents such as a marriage license to show proof of relationship if you are in a same-sex partnership (but keep in mind that many countries still do not recognize same-sex unions; check ILGA World’s map before you travel). And if you’re a parent whose child has a different last name, you might consider bringing a copy of the birth certificate.
Finally, if you are hospitalized overseas, the American Embassy can notify your family, assist with a money transfer for medical costs and visit you in traumatic and critical condition cases. Before you go abroad, consider joining the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to stay connected to the U.S. Embassy, just in case.
For more travel advice, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.
