Falling ill while traveling in a foreign country can be a very gross experience, it is always best to be prepared prior to leaving home. Taking the following advice will minimize complication and stress if you ever become ill while traveling in another country.

You should first contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for a list of nearby physicians and medical facilities.

If you illness is threatening to be serious, consular officers will help you find medical assistance, and if you need to they will inform your family and friends back home.

If you need them to, consuls can assist you in the transfer of funds from family or friends in the United States. Paying hospital bills or any other medical bills are the travelers’ responsibility.

You can bag information on physicians abroad in The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists, published for the American Board of Medical Specialists and certified board members. The directory is available in libraries and in US embassies and consulates. Major credit card companies can also give out information and names of physicians abroad.

The previous information can really help out if you are overseas, but another really good way is prevention.

Check your insurance coverage with your carrier find out if you are covered while traveling out of the country. Even if not you can always ask them for advice on medical care while you are traveling.

If you are not covered out of the states, you may think about considering purchasing a short-term health insurance policy that can shroud you for the duration of the trip. Some short-term policies are designed specifically to cover travel. If you want more information, you can contact a depart agent or do some research in travel magazines.

Always have your health insurance ID card and a claim form with you while you are traveling.

Medicare will not provide anyone coverage for hospital or medical bills if you are outside the United States, so senior citizens should contact the AA-RP for information about foreign medical care coverage from Medicare with a supplement plan.

Complete the information page on the inside of your passport, giving the name, address, and telephone number of someone to contact in case of emergency. This helps with an identification process in case of an accident.

If you have a Prexisting-existing medical condition, ask for a letter from your care physician explaining the condition and any prescription medications you are taking, including generic names for these drugs. Carry this letter with you, inside your passport.

You will need to leave any medications you are taking with you in their original containers, clearly labeled. Some medications we use are considered to be illegal narcotics in foreign countries, you can check with the the countries foreign embassy that you are visiting to be sure.

Anyone can get a list of English speaking doctors abroad from the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.

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When it comes to their health, each person and each family is current, so it is not surprising that choosing an individual health insurance plan is a complex process. Cost, convenience, and your unique health issues all come into play. Somehow, out of the myriad of choices, you are supposed to find the right combination for you. Here is a roadmap to simplify the process:

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4. Slow down for prescription drugs. If you have found two or more plans that are comparable, take a moment to review their prescription drug benefits. Some plans cover medications immediately, requiring nothing more than a co-payment. Other plans do not pay for prescription drugs until the annual deductible has been met. Be sure to compare the co-payment amounts to see what the inequity would be, especially over time. Most insurance companies cover medications on a non-preferred for name brand drugs, but others cover only generic brands (when available). If name brands are notable to you, make definite you choose the plan that offers them.

5. Behold for falling taxes. If someone wanted to hand you a check for $2,539, would you take it? That is what the Uncle Sam is doing with Health Savings Accounts. You can deposit up to $5,650 into a Health Savings Account (HSA), sheltering it from as much as 9.3% in set income tax, 28% in federal income tax, and 7.65% in Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax. That is a total tax savings of 44.95%, or $2,539 out of a $5,650 contribution. The HSA contribution rolls over from year to year, and remains tax-free, provided you withdraw the funds after age 65 or consume them for medical expenses. In addition, the earnings on HSA funds are tax-deferred. To open an HSA, you must enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), with minimum deductibles of $1,100 for an individual or $2,200 for a family. The deductibles are paid with untaxed dollars from the HSA account, increasing your buying power. Because of the high deductible amount, the monthly premium is low, making an HDHP plan an attractive option for many people.

By following this roadmap, you should arrive at a choice that is relatively simple to make.

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