Medical cover when travelling | medical insurance

Medical cover

Getting the right treatment whilst you are abroad can feel challenging- especially if you aren't sure about how medical care works in the country you are in. Or if you don’t speak the language. These tips from travel writers David Atkinson, Chris Leadbeater and Marcus Waring - some of the UK's most experienced travellers - will help you to be prepared should you be unfortunate enough to get ill or be injured whilst you're enjoying your break.

Tip 1: Make sure you have the right information available to you before you travel – medical insurance is a must

Research is my best friend when it comes to a new destination. I might start with a chat to my local doctor before turning to the internet for up-to-date advice. The NHS Choices website is a good starting point for information - look in the country guidance section. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) also offers advice under the Staying safe and healthy abroad section. A more proactive approach is to tap into the wealth of knowledge amongst the travelling community. The Lonely Planet discussion forum, the Thorn Tree, is the leading example of how to ask a fellow traveller. Wherever my destination, I make sure my travel insurance covers all the bases: medical and health insurance for an injury or sudden illness abroad and 24-hour emergency assistance. If I have any doubts, I'll put in a call, explain where I'm headed and ask for any specific advice.
David Atkinson

Tip 2: Make sure you have the right jabs

This is an important area, and the simplest answer is to check with your GP. However, there is an excellent website, put together by the NHS, which I always use – Fit For Travel. It details the diseases that you could encounter in each part of the world, and offers a country-by-country list of the immunisations that you need before heading to a particular region. It also deals with diseases where no vaccination exists, such as malaria. Are you travelling to South Africa, for example? Do you need anti-malarial medication? An onsite map shows that most of the country is a safe area – but if you are travelling to the east and Kruger National Park, you will need tablets.
Chris Leadbeater

Tip 3: If you feel ill while you are abroad don't delay in seeking medical help – you've got your insurance so use it

Backpacking with friends, I became ill with food poisoning in Kathmandu. Flying to Bangkok the following day, I grew delirious on the flight due to dehydration. Suffering from a massive fever, I was whisked in a wheelchair to the airport medical centre. The doctor recommended that I go to Piyavate hospital but I was thinking of the expense and wondered if I could just stay in a hotel. Sometimes you have to realise it is only money and trust the advice. Arriving at the hospital, I was too ill to remember my medical kit with sterile needles in my rucksack for the intravenous drip. This was where the benefit of going to one of the best hospitals really paid off. It was excellent, with world-class facilities and care, even if language was occasionally a problem with the nurses. Travel medical insurance is there for a reason. When things go wrong, mobilise it.
Marcus Waring

MORE TH>N Travel insurance includes use of ‘Nurseline’ where you will have access to a team of trained nurses 24/7. Whilst you are on your trip they can offer you:

• Medical information and symptom assessment
• Health information for those travelling abroad before they go

Information on medical services available in the locality e.g. opening hours

Useful websites:

NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk
NHS Fit for travel www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Foreign & Commonwealth Office http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/

While you're busy dreaming of distant lands don't forget to buy holiday health insurance! MORE TH>N offers a range of cheap travel health insurance options, from single trip holiday insurance to annual policies. Once you've bought your cheap travel insurance then you're free to enjoy your holiday.