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Whether you’re planning a vacation with your family or friends, nothing can be more exciting than exploring the top-notch destinations in the U.S. This is especially true if you’re a first timer. However, there’s something nobody would want to get into: falling sick during the trip. Of course, the slightest negligence regarding your health can ruin your entire trip.
That’s why it’s essential to be prepared for any worse situation before it actually happens. Therefore, finding emergency healthcare services just before heading towards the U.S makes a lot of sense. Besides this, doing a few precautions will not only save you from considerable hassle, it will also help you save a lot of money and time while ensuring that you won’t encounter any health issues while traveling.
Below are a few tips to help you find emergency healthcare services while traveling in the U.S:
List down Medical Information before Leaving
What if your phone suddenly stops working due to battery drainage and the contacts of healthcare professionals saved in your phone becomes inaccessible? This can be a mere nightmare especially if you’re facing a medical emergency while traveling. That’s why it’s crucial to write down all important medical information on a piece of paper. You’ll be required to jot down the following information:
- Your doctor’s office/home contact number (if you’re in need of an emergency consultation while vacationing).
- The website and contact information of an urgent care dental clinic (if you’re suffering from a severe toothache or you just found out that your braces need to be fixed immediately).
- Your orthodontist’s contact details of their after service hours. This will be applicable if you encounter a dental emergency outside their office hours.
- Contact information of the U.S embassy.
Since all the required information should be on the top of your priority list, it’s always better to keep this list along with your ID card. To ensure a worry-free vacation in the U.S, it’s best to keep this piece of paper in your wallet, purse, or carry-on luggage bag so that it’s easier for anyone who comes for your help to call the emergency healthcare service in case of a medical emergency.
Know About the Medical Benefits Offered In the U.S
The U.S has higher costs of healthcare services as compared to other countries. That’s because a single visit to an emergency room can cost you hundreds of dollars. This is even applicable if you just need some consultation regarding the use of antibiotics. And if you reside in the country where healthcare is free, this fact may surprise you: it’s not the same in the US. Foreign visitors or tourists have to pay a certain fee even for emergency medical services. Moreover, tourists aren’t allowed to purchase insurance in the U.S.
Though there are healthcare service limitations in the U.S, there’s still something for you as a tourist: you can easily find emergency dentists or doctors even if you aren’t a U.S resident. However, you need to be sure that you jot down the details such as the website and toll-free number of your preferred emergency healthcare service provider before packing your bag for the trip.
Bring Common Medicines with You
Many pharmacy stores require you to show prescription even if you just need a pain killer. Though this may not be a requirement in your country, it’s mandatory in the U.S. For this reason, an ideal way to avoid the need to buy additional medicines during your trip is to bring extra medicines from your home country. This way, you’ll be able to save ample time while enjoying your stay in the U.S rather than worrying about your medicines.
But what if you’re in a remote location where you can’t even find a healthcare professional? Or what if you’re stuck in a flight delay? Of course, it’s nearly impossible to avail prescription medications, especially in such situations. That’s why it’s highly recommended to bring extra medication in case you’re facing any of these situations.
Just to be on the safe side, it’s equally wise to write down the generic names of your regular medicines before leaving to the U.S.
The Bottom Line
Falling sick can be a true disaster especially if you’re vacationing in the U.S. However, good news is that there’re a lot of emergency healthcare options available to help you immediately recover from your sickness during your trip. If you’ve gathered all contact information of emergency dentists and doctors in the U.S, there’s nothing to worry about. So even in the case of medical emergency, an emergency healthcare service is just a call away.
About the Author
Mike Plambeck is a dental marketing professional who writes about the world of online dental marketing as well as educational dental health topics. He lives in Lincoln, NE and raises 2 kids, Noah and Dani, along with his wife Marissa.