Need to Go to the Hospital on a Trip Abroad? Here's What to Do (2024)

FAQs

Need to Go to the Hospital on a Trip Abroad? Here's What to Do? ›

It's best to contact your insurance provider when emergency transportation and services are needed, however if you have a travel insurance plan and haven't already contacted the company, now is the time to do so. If need be, request a translator or a medical professional who can speak your language.

The U.S. government does not pay overseas medical bills. The patient must pay all hospital and other expenses. You can find lists of doctors and hospitals in the country you are visiting. Check the website of the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting.

Getting Help in an Emergency

If you are overseas and in need of emergency assistance contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are concerned about a loved one overseas, please call: From the U.S. & Canada - 1-888-407-4747. From Overseas - +1 202-501-4444.

Health Care Resources for Travelers

The nearest US embassy or consulate can help travelers locate medical services and notify your friends, family, or employer of an emergency. They are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, overseas and in Washington, DC (888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444).

Seek Emergency Care When Necessary

In life-threatening medical situations, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency room. Medical providers are required by law to stabilize patients in emergency situations regardless of their insurance status.

In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Who Needs Travel Medical Insurance? Purchasing health insurance for traveling abroad is a simple way to save money in an emergency, and anyone can benefit from the coverage. If you're traveling to a country in which your health insurance provider doesn't provide coverage, buying travel medical insurance is a must.

If a medical emergency occurs, the flight crew notifies ground-based medical support for guidance. “The flight crew members are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and are able to administer lifesaving medications and equipment available in the emergency kits,” said Stahl.

Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling

Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.

What to do if you get sick on vacation? ›

From flu-like symptoms to digestive tract upsets, feeling ill post-vacation affects up to 80 percent of returning travelers, says Dr. Ashima Oza, a primary care physician and an instructor in the Division of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.

So, what does travel insurance cover? Here's the very short answer: Cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, loss or delays, and 24/7 assistance. These are the 5 basic types of coverage provided with vacation insurance.

This is why it is highly recommended for foreign tourists to get travel healthcare insurance if traveling to the United States. For the record, in the US, hospital emergency rooms are required to treat anyone, regardless of ability to pay, but they are absolutely allowed to go after you for payment afterwards.

Be aware that you will likely have to pay out of pocket for any medical treatment, even if your insurance company provides international health care coverage. A visit to the emergency room can be free or cost only a nominal fee, or it can be expensive, depending on where you are and what treatment you need.

The average per-day hospital cost is $2,883, but the average stay is 4.5 days — equaling $12,974. Average earnings among private U.S. workers are $33.82 an hour. Between 1999 and 2021, the average hospital stay cost increased 161.7%. In 1999, the average cost was $1,102 a day.

What happens if you leave a country without paying your medical bills? This could result in a number of different consequences, including debt pursuit through legal action or debt collection, negative impacts on credit scores, or issues re-entering a country where your debt is owed.

Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. You should get health insurance to cover any medical costs before you come to Canada.

Your health plan must cover emergency care no matter where you are and what hospital you go to. Some limitations may apply to emergency services received outside the United States. In addition, you may be moved to a hospital in your health plan's network when you are stable enough to be moved.