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Step 1
Determine If Your Current Health Coverage Is Sufficient - Many employer-sponsored health insurance plans do not provide coverage while you are out of the United States. Additionally, even if you are covered, some plans will reduce your allowable benefits. Consider calling your plan administer and determining whether or not you are covered and if there are any benefit limitations.
Temporary health insurance plans may provide you with the coverage that you need at an affordable price. Online health insurance quotes are easy to obtain. When researching this article, one online insurance company quoted me $35 for a 15-day trip to Europe. That is what I call extremely cheap travel insurance! -
Step 2
Think Beyond Your Insurance Needs - Once you have purchased your foreign travel health insurance policy, you should consider researching the available country-specific precautions. This would include such things as whether or not the water is safe to drink, is there any terrorist activity noted and where the closest US Embassy is located. It pays to be safe and plan your trip well.
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Step 3
Get Vaccinated - While many diseases have been eradicated in the United States, they may still exist in the country you are traveling to. Call your local health department and determine what types of vaccinations are needed for your trip. If you are going on a mission trip, consider the types of contact you will encounter while there. Additional vaccinations may be required.
Comments
AmyRose said
on 2/6/2009 Very well written and very valuable information for traveling. 5* and I recommend you.