Getting Health Care During Travel | Travelers' Health (2024)

Getting Health Care During Travel

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Getting Health Care During Travel | Travelers' Health (1)

You can get sick or injured during travel and might need health care. Before your trip, make a plan for how you will get health care when traveling. This plan is especially important for senior citizens, pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions, and people who will be traveling for more than 6 months.

Make a plan

Before you travel, know how you will get health care.

  • Get travel insurance.Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Travelers are usually responsible for paying hospital and other medical expenses out of pocket at most destinations. Make sure you have a plan toget care overseas, in case you need it. Consider buyingadditional insurancethat covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

  • Enroll with the Department of State’sSmart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP). Check for and monitor any travel advisories for your destination. Enrolling also ensures that theUS Department of Stateknows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties while traveling. In the event of an emergency at home, STEP can also help friends and family contact you.

  • Take recommended medicines as directed. If your doctor prescribes medicine for you, take the medicine as directed before, during, and after travel. Counterfeit drugs are common in some countries, so only take medicine that you bring from home and make sure to pack enough for the duration of your trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Learn more about traveling abroad with medicine.

  • Prepare a card that identifies your blood type, any chronic illnesses you have, any medicines you are taking, and your allergies. Have this information available in your destination's local language, if possible.
  • Wear a MedicAlert bracelet if you have serious medical conditions.

Health Care Resources for Travelers

The following list of resources may help international travelers identify health care providers and facilities around the world. CDC does not endorse any particular provider or medical insurance company, and accreditation does not ensure a good outcome.

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Getting Health Care During Travel  | Travelers' Health (2024)
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