What you need to know about travel insurance and hospitals abroad
Finding yourself stuck in a hospital abroad is the stuff of every traveller’s nightmares. And while most of us will be lucky enough to not have to deal with foreign medical systems, it’s important to be aware of what to do just in case something goes wrong.
We’re going to take a look at what you to do if you find yourself in hospital abroad. By taking the necessary steps you can ensure your stay is as brief as possible.
What should I do?
If you’ve got travel insurance, now’s a good time to be thanking your lucky stars. Travel insurance companies often have 24-hour assistance centres you can contact from anywhere in the world, and they will be able to provide advice regarding your next best move.
Over60 Travel Insurance is a great example of this, providing cheap, comprehensive coverage with a degree of flexibility that allows you to tailor your coverage to your specific needs. For more information or to book your own travel insurance with Over60, click here.
If you don’t have travel insurance, you might be in a little bit of trouble. Overseas medical bills can be expensive and often have to be paid up front, and even though it’s probably the last thing on your mind, you need to think about how you’re going to foot the bill.
The Australian Government’s Smart Traveller resource recommends travellers without travel insurance contact family or friends as their first point of call, as well as their financial institution. They may be able to transfer the funds over to you using a bank or commercial money transfer service so you can get the necessary medical attention.
If you find that you still need help, you might need to call the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate. The government also provides a 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra which can be reached on +61 2 6261 3305 when overseas.
Additional tips and hints
- Try to make note of the hospital’s location.
- Make sure you ask a lot of questions, especially if you’re uncertain about anything.
- Be wary of the cleanliness of the hospital.
- If there are language issues, request a translator.
Have you ever found yourself in a hospital abroad, or do you know of someone who has? What happened? Share your story in the comments.
Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. To arrange a quote, click here. For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.
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