| If an American citizen becomes seriously ill or injured | | | | to be contacted in an emergency.A traveler going |
| abroad, a U. S. consular officer can assist in locating | | | | abroad with any preexisting medical |
| appropriate medical services and informing family or | | | | problems should carry a letter from the attending |
| friends. If necessary, a consular officer can also assist | | | | physician, |
| in | | | | describing the medical condition and any prescription |
| the transfer of funds from the United States. | | | | medications, including the generic name of prescribed |
| However, | | | | drugs. |
| payment of hospital and other expenses is the | | | | Any medications being carried overseas should be |
| responsibility | | | | left in |
| of the traveler.Before going abroad, learn what | | | | their original containers and be clearly labeled. |
| medical services your health | | | | Travelers |
| insurance will cover overseas. If your health insurance | | | | should check with the foreign embassy of the country |
| policy provides coverage outside the United States, | | | | they |
| REMEMBER | | | | are visiting to make sure any required medications are |
| to carry both your insurance policy identity card as | | | | not |
| proof | | | | considered to be illegal narcotics.A listing of addresses |
| of such insurance and a claim form. Although many | | | | and telephone numbers of U.S. |
| health | | | | embassies and consulates abroad is contained in Key |
| insurance companies will pay "customary and | | | | Officers |
| reasonable" | | | | of Foreign Service Posts . This publication may be |
| hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your | | | | obtained |
| medical | | | | through the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. |
| evacuation back to the United States. Medical | | | | Government |
| evacuation can | | | | Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Also available |
| easily cost $10,000 and up, depending on your location | | | | from |
| and | | | | the Government Printing Office is Health Information |
| medical condition.THE SOCIAL SECURITY | | | | for |
| MEDICARE PROGRAM DOES NOT PROVIDE | | | | International Travel by the Centers for Disease |
| COVERAGE FOR HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL | | | | Control and |
| COSTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.A.Senior citizens may wish | | | | Prevention (CDC). This contains a global rundown of |
| to contact the American Association | | | | disease |
| of Retired Persons for information about foreign | | | | and immunization advice and other health guidance, |
| medical | | | | including |
| care coverage with Medicare supplement plans.To | | | | risks in particular countries. The CDC maintains the |
| facilitate identification in case of an accident, | | | | international travelers hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP |
| complete the information page on the inside of your | | | | (1-877-394-8747), an automated faxback service at |
| passport | | | | 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299) and a home |
| providing the name, address and telephone number of | | | | page on the |
| someone | | | | Internet at . |