ALL / ALL /
Get Help with a Medical Emergency Abroad
If you or a U.S. citizen loved one become seriously ill or injured abroad, we can:
- Help locate appropriate medical services.
- Inform your family or friends, with your permission.
- Helptransfer fundsto U.S. citizens overseas.
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 thewebsite of the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting.
ALL / ALL /
Check Your Health Insurance – Are You Covered Abroad?
Understand what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas before traveling. Carry your insurance card and a claim form if your policy covers you outside the United States.
Medicare does not cover medical care when you travel the United States. VisitMedicare.govfor more information.
Some health insurance companies pay for “customary and reasonable” hospital costs abroad. Very few pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States. The cost may exceed $250,000, depending on your location and medical condition. Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. For more information, visit our webpage on Insurance Coverage Overseas.
ALL / ALL /
Traveling with Prescription Medications
- Check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting or passing through. Check to make sure your medications are allowed, particularly prescriptions for medical marijuana. You may need an import license or permit to travel with certain medications.
- Bring plenty of medicine for your trip. If possible, bring a few extra days’ worth in case of delays. You might not be able to get the same medication abroad.
- Carry a letter from the doctor. It should describe your medical condition. It should also list any prescription drugs and their generic names.
- Keep medications in their original, labeled containers.
- Entering a country with a prescription medication, even if legally obtained in the United States, could be illegal and result in your detention or arrest overseas.
ALL / ALL /
Medical Tourism Abroad
Between 150,000 and 320,000 U.S. citizens travel abroad for medical care each year. Medical tourism includes cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and other surgical procedures.
If you are a U.S. citizen considering travel abroad for medical care, you should:
ALL / ALL /
Inform Yourself About Vaccinations
Some Countries Require Vaccinations
Before you travel, check country information. You may need to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination, also called a Yellow Card. You may also need to show proof of other inoculations or medical tests. Check also current requirements directly with the foreign embassies of the countries you are visiting.
Recommended Vaccinations and Malaria Prevention
Check theU.S.Centers for Disease Control (CDC)and World Health Organization (WHO)websites for recommended vaccinations and malaria prevention for your destination. Review the CDC’s webpage on Choosing a Drug to Prevent Malaria.
ALL / ALL /
Travel Smartly with Prescription Medications
- Bring an ample supply of medication to cover you for your trip, and if possible, a few extra days in case there are delays.
- Carry a letter from the attending physician that describes your medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed drugs.
- Keep medications in their original, labeled containers.
- Check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting or transiting to make sure your medications are permitted in that country. Some countries require an import license or permit to travel with certain medications.
ALL / ALL /
Being Prepared for a Pandemic
Review theU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information about pandemics. In a pandemic, virus control measures could affect your travel:
- Travel restrictions may prevent U.S. citizens from traveling internationally.
- Foreign governments may close borders suddenly or with little advance warning.
- Commercial air, land, and sea carriers could suspend some or all transportation services.
- Some countries may quarantine people who appear sick or test positive with the virus.
These developments could delay your travel or your return to the United States.
ALL / ALL /
Other Health Considerations Abroad
Last Updated: March 5, 2024
FAQs
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).
What happens if I get sick in a foreign country? ›
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 happens if a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance? ›
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.
Do I need health insurance when traveling abroad? ›
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.
What happens if an American goes to the hospital in Europe? ›
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.
What happens if you can't pay for medical care in USA? ›
By federal law, nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance to those who cannot pay their bills. Some states also have other laws about uncompensated care, such as Washington, where all hospitals must tell patients about financial assistance programs when they receive care.
Does Medicare cover you out of the country? ›
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.
Can I see a doctor in another country? ›
How Do I See a Doctor in a Foreign Country? If you have an international health insurance plan, or travel insurance, they should provide you with an emergency medical assistance number you can call to help you arrange for a doctor visit. To schedule an appointment, first contact your insurance company.
What happens if you don't pay international medical bills? ›
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.
Can a tourist see a doctor in the US? ›
If you require medical care while visiting the U.S., there are several options for seeking treatment. You can visit an urgent care center, walk-in clinic, or hospital emergency room for immediate medical needs.
If you have a serious medical problem, hospitals must treat you regardless of whether you have insurance. This includes situations that meet the definition of an emergency. Some situations may not be considered true emergencies, such as: Going to the ER for non-life-threatening care.
Can foreigners go to the hospital? ›
Exceptions will be made only for foreign visitors suffering serious medical emergencies which, “if not immediately diagnosed and treated, could lead to serious physical or mental disability or death,” according to the regulations being distributed this week to the staffs of the county's six public hospitals and 46 ...
What to do if you get sick in a foreign country? ›
What to do when you get sick abroad
- Call your Study Center. ...
- Seek Medical Help Immediately. ...
- Carry Your Medical Insurance Card. ...
- Get Medication. ...
- Have an Emergency Credit Card. ...
- Keep All Forms and Receipts. ...
- File an Insurance Claim.
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.
Will my medical insurance cover me in another country? ›
Most individual health insurance policies in the U.S. do not provide coverage for overseas emergency care, either. Without that coverage, if you break a leg or your travel companion has a heart attack during your trip, you will not have financial protection against the medical expenses that accrue.
What happens if you need to go to the doctor in another country? ›
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.
What happens if I don t pay a medical bill in a foreign country? ›
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.
Can you go to the hospital in a foreign country? ›
Some countries have government run hospitals and private hospitals. Care at facilities may vary, so it may be wise to determine a hospital you would prefer to be taken to in the event of a medical emergency. Some countries may also have hospitals that are more able to care for tourists (the staff may speak English).
