What Happens if I have a Medical Emergency Abroad ?

Should something happen requiring medical care and you are not incapacitated, call your insurance company right away. In most cases they'll connect you with local medical services and might even provide you with a stateside medical consultant to help you acquire the best care.

If you require a medical evacuation, you may need to work with your insurance provider since many trip insurance companies require that you use your travel insurance services to arrange evacuation services. If you are traveling alone, many trip insurance plans will pay to fly a friend or family member to you if you are hospitalized, and will arrange for someone to assist you if you need medical evacuation.

It is best to thoroughly review your insurance plan before your trip and carry a copy of your policy. Some travel insurance services do not act the same as traditional U.S. medical insurance, and you may be required to pay for medical treatment up front before being reimbursed later by your travel insurance carrier.

It's also a good idea to have a cash reserve or an available credit card balance to pay for services should you need them. Should an emergency arise, you also want to gather as much documentation as you can to submit with your claims.