How to get urgent care while traveling

Requiring urgent care while traveling can be a scary experience. But there are usually several places where you can get the medical services you need. While the options might vary between destinations, you should be able to access medical care in an emergency whether you’re in the United States or overseas.

To avoid unforeseen bills and logistical challenges, get to know your own insurance coverage and visit the website of the U.S. Embassy to get information about healthcare at your destination.

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Walk-in clinics

Most U.S. cities and communities abroad have walk-in clinics. These are generally locations where you don’t need an appointment and can receive care for nonemergency ailments.

Either abroad or in the United States, you usually have to show personal identification and proof of insurance if you have it. If you don’t have insurance, there might be a billing option for you to pay out of pocket.

Urgent care centers

Although they might go by different names depending on where you’re visiting, urgent care centers are usually between a walk-in clinic and an emergency room.

People usually access urgent care centers when their medical condition can’t wait but isn’t life threatening. You should expect to produce the same documentation as with a walk-in clinic.

Local hospitals

Going to a hospital for life threatening or emergency services should always be an option wherever you travel. A local hospital typically has an emergency room where you or a travel companion can receive care. You might have to pay more out of pocket than at an urgent care center. 

You may need identification or proof of insurance, but in the event of a serious medical emergency, a hospital might provide care even without this documentation. However, you might still have to pay for the services. 

Note that the type of medical care available to you varies depending on your destination country. For example, according to the U.S. Embassy, private medical care in the United Kingdom might be quicker than through the public system but might be more costly. In addition, private hospitals in the United Kingdom don’t have emergency services.

What to keep in mind when travelling

If you are from the United States and planning to travel abroad, there are a few things you can do to prepare for a medical emergency. 

Know your rights in the United States

If you have private health insurance, you have certain rights when traveling in the United States. Due to the No Surprises Act, if your plan covers emergency care, you can’t be charged more than the in-network cost-sharing rate for certain emergency services. 

As important as it is to know your rights, also be aware of the limitations of your current coverage. For example, Medicare and Medicaid won’t cover any medical costs outside the United States, except in some very rare circumstances. 

Find the website of the U.S. Embassy in your destination country

The Department of State can also help you find medical services if you or your travel companion are seriously ill or injured while traveling outside of the country. The government can also help transfer money to U.S. citizens outside of country. 

Before you leave, find the U.S. Embassy website of your destination. The embassy can provide a list of doctors and hospitals at your destination, along with valuable information about accessing medical care in the country. 

Prepare a personal medical card

Along with regular identification, consider carrying a laminated card with your vital medical information, such as:

• your blood type
• allergies
• chronic illnesses
• prescription medications

If necessary, arrange for this information in the main language of your destination before you leave. 

Bring medication with you

You should bring enough prescription medication to last for the duration of your trip, plus extra to account for travel delays. The Department of State also recommends carrying a letter from a doctor that lists the medications, their generic names, and the condition you take them to treat. 

Before you leave, check with the destination country’s embassy to ensure you can enter with your specific medications. Some legal U.S. prescriptions, such as medicinal cannabis, might be illegal in other countries. 

Consider travel insurance

If you have private health insurance, check your policy before traveling to see whether you have coverage outside the United States. You might also want to check the limits of that coverage.

The Department of State strongly recommends buying additional medical evacuation insurance, especially if you are going somewhere with limited local healthcare facilities. 

Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

STEP is a program run by the U.S. Department of State. It keeps you abreast of travel advisories at your destination. In the event of an emergency at home, it makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy, as well as your friends and family, to get in touch with you. 

Summary

Urgent care services are usually available to U.S. citizens traveling abroad. Visit the U.S. Embassy website for your destination to get a list of urgent care centers, walk-in clinics, and hospitals.

If you’re traveling within the United States, know your rights when using your existing coverage out-of-network. Consider additional travel insurance to cover unforeseen expenses, like emergency medical care and evacuation. 

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