A medical emergency can be one of the most terrifying situations you’ll ever experience. Very few of us have been trained on how to handle this type of crisis quickly and efficiently. And if the medical emergency takes place while you’re traveling abroad, the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and languages can make the situation even more frightening—as well as put you at greater risk for failure to receive the care you need when you need it.

In order to reduce this risk, take the following precautions before you start your trip:

• Purchase travel health insurance. The cost of private healthcare abroad may be prohibitively high, and healthcare at local facilities may be inaccessible or unavailable at your time of need. A pre-purchased health insurance plan will give you flexibility and the financial benefits of health insurance. If you are moving to a foreign country, consider international health insurance to protect you while living overseas.
• Contact the local U.S. Embassy to obtain a list of physicians and facilities for Americans who require medical attention abroad. Most travel health insurance plans allow you to see any doctor within a specified coverage area, so it’s a good idea to identify your options beforehand and carry that information with you in the event of an emergency. Get the local embassy’s contact information at http://www.usembassy.gov/.
• Receive the proper vaccinations before traveling. For entry into some countries, vaccinations are required. Getting a physical is also wise to rule out any possible problems that could be exacerbated by the conditions of the country to which you are traveling.
• Pack a medical emergency kit containing any prescriptions, aids, and/or devices that you may need. Be sure to include a medical ID bracelet or identification tag if you have a condition that warrants wearing one. Even if you’re a perfectly healthy 20-year-old and have purchased international student health insurance, the contents of a comprehensive medical emergency kit could provide valuable aid until professional medical attention can be received.

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