Medical Emergencies Abroad: Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities

A medical emergency far from home can be frightening and costly. Your health and well-being is the priority, but getting good care that you can afford can be difficult. While most countries in the world provide medical care at a lower cost that in the U.S., your health insurance may leave you paying more out of pocket.

Patients may also have difficulty communicating with health care providers and be forced to pay upfront for medical care. Knowing where to turn for help if you face a medical emergency abroad can help you avoid a financial nightmare. For legal advice about medical emergencies in other countries, talk to an international law attorney for legal advice.

After a Medical Emergency Abroad

Seek immediate medical attention after a medical emergency. Not all countries use 9-1-1 for emergencies, with many using 1-1-2. The U.S. Department of State provides a list of emergency contact numbers by country, including ambulance, fire, and law enforcement services.

You can ask your hotel or lodging to make an emergency call, find a police officer, or ask a bystander to call in an emergency. You can also contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for help finding local doctors and hospitals.

Some credit cards have 24-hour medical assistance hotlines. Cardholders can get emergency medical transportation assistance. The credit card service can coordinate healthcare referrals, medical care, and prescriptions. However, the cardholders are still generally responsible for the cost of care.

Before you leave to travel abroad, look up the local emergency numbers and put them in your phone. Write down all your medications, allergies, and medical conditions. Consider taking a small first aid kit to help with more minor medical needs. Make sure you have an emergency contact, with the person’s name, relationship, and contact information.

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Insurance Coverage and Documentation

Many health insurance companies do not provide coverage for medical care in other countries. However, some plans do cover limited emergency or urgent care outside the U.S. Review your medical insurance policy or talk to your plan provider to make sure you know if you have any emergency coverage abroad.

You can buy travel insurance with coverage for medical attention while abroad. Travel insurance plans generally cover unexpected, travel-related events, including medical emergencies. They generally do not cover elective care or cosmetic treatments. Review your travel insurance policies to understand what is covered and what is not covered.

Communicating with Healthcare Providers

You may face language barriers when talking to doctors and medical staff overseas. Though English is a common language in global healthcare, it is not guaranteed that providers will use English.

Even if you have a decent understanding of the local language, medical terminology is generally not something most casual speakers understand. It can be vital to understand the difference between taking five grams of medication five times per day or five pills once per day.

Contact the local embassy or consulate for help finding medical help in a language you understand or contact your travel insurance company for assistance. Get any medical information in writing, which you can have translated at a later time. You can also try translation apps on your phone.

The Limits of Consular Assistance in a Medical Emergency

In a medical emergency, a U.S. embassy or consulate can:

• Help you find local medical facilities and doctors
• Contact friends or family (with your permission)
• Explain options for sending money and other types of financial assistance

The U.S. government does not cover medical bills for Americans abroad. You are responsible for your own medical costs. However, consulate officials can explain the process for wiring money or bank transfers to foreign banks so you can get money while abroad.

In emergency situations, citizens may qualify for a temporary government loan. U.S. repatriation loans can provide financial help to cover medical expenses and stabilize a citizen before they return to the U.S. However, a citizen’s passport is restricted until they pay back the loan.

The U.S. Department of State is a good place to start for general information on the healthcare system in the countries you plan to visit during international travel. Look at the country advisories and information about medical services. Register with the State Department so you can get health advisory updates while abroad at travel.state.gov.

Understanding Medical Bills and Payments

The cost of medical care varies widely across the world. Many countries have universal care for residents which may not apply to foreign visitors. Some countries require direct patient payment up front before providing any medical treatment.

The U.S. embassy, your credit card company, or your travel insurance company can help coordinate care and help you access your money while overseas.

Legal Considerations for Medical Evacuation

Medical evacuation is generally the last resort for medical emergencies abroad. If you need specialized medical care that you cannot get in another country, you may need to arrange medical evacuation to your home country.

Medical evacuations and air ambulance costs are expensive. The more remote you are, the more expensive transport will be. You may need coverage benefits for $250,000 to $1 million to cover emergency medical transportation.

Even if you have travel insurance that covers medical evacuations, there may be exclusions for certain activities, like bungee jumping or scuba diving. If you will participate in active sports or recreational activities, make sure your policy covers your activities.

Getting emergency medical care abroad can present challenges. Understand your care options and resources when traveling abroad so you will know what to expect if there is a sudden emergency. For more information about your legal rights and responsibilities in a medical emergency abroad, talk to an international law attorney.