How should I be prepared to deal with medical emergencies abroad?

I live in the United States and I am on Medicaid (free Federal health insurance for low income individuals). While that can pay for a medical emergency if I was in another state, it might not cover emergencies if I went to Canada or Mexico.

I am on a fixed income, so how can I best prepare for it?

Best Answer

Medicaid does not cover medical care outside the United States. In addition, you should check your state's eligibility rules to ensure you don't need to re-enroll when you get back, as your coverage may lapse if you leave for a longer period of time (sometimes 30 days).

You can prepare for this situation by purchasing travel insurance, either on a per-trip basis or an annual plan if you travel more often. These plans vary, and you should carefully review the fine print to know what is covered and what limitations apply. You should consider sufficient coverage to pay for medical emergencies abroad and for medical evacuation in case a serious illness requires you to return home. Travel insurance can also cover trip cancellation and interruption if your trip is derailed for a covered reason.

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Quick Answer about "How should I be prepared to deal with medical emergencies abroad?"

Call insurance for international travel policy details.

Schedule a pre-travel health consultation.

Write a list of your medications.

Be prepared to pay up front.

Research the health care system and coronavirus testing facility in your destination.

How do you prepare for a medical emergency?

Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when preparing for medical emergencies at home.

Keep important information handy. ...

Have a hospital overnight bag packed. ...

Educate yourself about emergency response. ...

Discuss medical alert systems with your loved one. ...

Plan to alternate caregiving responsibilities.

How do you handle a medical emergency?

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP:

Stay calm, and call your local emergency number (such as 911).

Start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or rescue breathing, if necessary and if you know the proper technique.

Place a semiconscious or unconscious person in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives.

What are the three most important medical emergencies?

Here are some of the most common medical emergencies that people experience:

Bleeding.
Breathing difficulties.
Someone collapses.
Fit and/or epileptic seizure.
Severe pain.
Heart attack.
A stroke.

What should be avoided in case of a medical emergency?

Remain calm and keep your patient relaxed in a sleeping position to reduce the chances of any further injury or damage. Also, remember not to administer any fluid as it may enter the windpipe and restrict breathing or cause suffocation. Do not try and bring a person to consciousness by slapping or shaking.

Part 1: How to respond in a medical emergency?

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Karolina Grabowska, Roger Brown, Pixabay, Karolina Grabowska