Health Tips for Students Traveling Abroad
You're about to embark on a momentous journey beyond your borders. You'll encounter a new culture and you're more than ready to soak in the cornucopia of knowledge that you'll receive in your journey abroad. Whether you're traveling for a study abroad program – or you're simply on a summer trip of self-discovery – there's one thing that you should know: Your standard student health insurance plan may not cover you abroad!
However, there's no reason to panic; the Department of State has provided a complete guide to your health while traveling abroad. As a student, you'll want to follow some of the tips within this guide, which is why we've condensed the information into a quick, five-minute primer, which will help you travel worry-free, wherever you go.
Department of State's guidelines for health care while traveling
Before you begin your trip, you'll want to definitively know whether or not your current student health insurance coverage will provide benefits to you while you're abroad. Chances are they won't, which is why there are numerous alternatives. Once you've determined this essential fact, you can follow the Department of State tips below:
- Familiarize yourself with the environment and conditions of your destination(s), including the altitude, level of pollution, proximity to medical facilities, and any necessary immunizations required due to local pathogens. The Centers for Disease Control has an international hotline (1-877-FYI-TRIP), which will help you prepare for your trip.
- Consider any vaccinations for infectious disease or pathogens, including Pandemic Influenza or Foot & Mouth Disease.
- Weigh the risk of chemical, biological, or nuclear incidents.
- Leave any medication that you're taking with you in its original container and clearly labeled. Be sure to check with the foreign embassy of the country you're visiting to determine whether or not your prescription is considered an "illegal narcotic."
- If you have any allergies or reactions to certain medications or foods, then you might want to wear a "medical alert" bracelet as a precautionary measure.
- If an emergency occurs, and you become seriously ill or injured while abroad, a U.S. consular officer can assist you and your family in finding medical services and informing your family and friends back home.
Health insurance considerations for students traveling abroad
- It's possible that medical treatment abroad could become expensive for non-resident travelers. Be sure that you are familiar with the area's hospitals and whether or not they have the ability to treat you.
- The Department of State states that U.S. medical insurance is "generally not accepted outside of the United States, nor do the Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs provide coverage outside the U.S." This is why it's especially important to obtain short-term health insurance coverage while you're traveling abroad.
- Travel agents may offer insurance plans for traveling abroad, but you might also find better deals directly through private insurers. You can submit your free request for student health insurance information right here to learn more.
Final notes about student health insurance abroad
Finally, it's important to know what is – and is not – covered under your short-term student health insurance policy while you're abroad. Most insurance companies will pay what they call "customary and reasonable" hospital costs for treatment; however, this does not mean that they will pay for your medical evacuation back to the U.S. for treatment, simply because evacuation can cost $10,000 – $50,000 or more, according to the Department of State.
If you feel you're ready to purchase a short-term student health insurance plan while you're traveling abroad, then you can start at this site.
Source
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1215.html