Medicare Travel Tips
We’ve all experienced that less than happy holiday vacation spent ill. What’s worse is getting sick abroad and worrying about Medicare insurance coverage. If you’re planning a winter getaway, check out and share our healthy Medicare travel tips to ensure your vacation goes off without a hitch.
Prevention
Whether you’re going foreign or domestic, Medicare travel tip #1. Always research your destination. Even learning about a stomach bug going around could help save your trip. Also be sure to take a look into potential health facilities by contacting the U.S. embassy in the country you’re going to visit or by getting help from your hotel. Know and have the contact information for the hospitals and urgent care centers that could be available to you during your trip.
Common Traveling Illnesses
Important Medicare travel tips is to know what to avoid on your trip. Here are some common illnesses you can bring back from your vacation:
- Malaria – Often found in tropical climates, Malaria is contracted though an infected mosquito bite. Although the disease has flu-like symptoms, it may become deadly. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has the need-to-know information on Malaria for travelers.
- Traveler’s Tummy – One of the most common maladies foreigners experience when traveling abroad. Traveler’s tummy is common throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. You can learn more about the gastro-intestinal sickness and how to avoid it from the CDC.
- Zika Virus – Zika is something we’ve all heard about on the news in the past year. Symptoms can range from flu-like to joint pain and rashes. It’s been linked to Asia, Brazil, Central America, Mexico, The Caribbean and The Pacific Islands. This CDC Infographic has tips on preventing Zika while traveling abroad.
You can read up on what to specifically watch out for depending on where you’re going on the travel section of the CDC website.
Check Your Coverage
Compare Plans and Explore Your Options
Your health coverage will vary depending on your Medicare plan. Original Medicare will usually only provide coverage within the U.S. Some Medigap plans have travel coverage. Some Medicare Advantage Plans may as well, but you’ll have to check your specific plan.
If you need some help navigating your Medicare coverage options, our agents can help and are available all year-round.
Doctor Knows Best
Before traveling, meet with your doctor to have a check-up, talk about any health concerns you may have, if you’ll need any vaccinations, etc. Your physician should be able to inform you on any must-know health concerns in regards to wherever you’re going.
Pack Smart Most Important of Medicare Travel Tips
Pack weather-friendly, and don’t forget your necessary prescriptions and medications in your carry-on luggage. That is the most important of Medicare travel tips. If you’re traveling by car, keep your meds in an easy-to-access designated location. If you have any special medical supplies that you need to use, get a note from your doctor that explains why you need them. It’s better to be safe than sorry! If you need help thinking through these Medicare travel tips or you want to invest in travel insurance, give us a call at OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com 402-614-3389
With these tips, you should be enjoying your vacation in no time. Happy travels!
