What to Do When You're Sick Abroad

Imagine you're on a business trip in a foreign country and you become so ill that you end up stretcher-bound. But before you're taken to the hospital, the ambulance detours to the nearest ATM, where you have to punch in your password and produce some cash.

This scenario has presented itself to numerous travelers, says Nicole Beach, marketing and public relations manager for Medex travel insurance and emergency assistance.

Beach recounts the story of a man traveling in Mexico who had to leave his sick wife with the hotel doctor while he and the doctor's brother went to withdraw cash at the nearest ATM to obtain $1,800 for a couple of hours of IV fluid.

About one in three travelers has either become ill or injured, or has had a business associate become ill or injured, while traveling overseas, says Linda McGee, president of Medex insurance services.

In many countries, especially those with socialized health care like Greece, Cuba, Italy and England, foreigners are usually expected to pay upfront for health care. This poses a problem because most domestic insurance will only reimburse you upon return to the States. Beach has seen people max out credit cards and take out second mortgages on homes to pay the bills.

A bit apprehensive from hearing these stories, I called my health care provider, Oxford, to ask what it will cover abroad. "Emergencies and urgent care only," a representative tells me. Whether I'm in a jungle or a British board room, I'd hate to wait until something happens to find out if an emergency helicopter lift (usually $100,000 or more) or even X-rays are considered urgent care.

Coverage Conundrum

Most travelers aren't aware of what their domestic insurance does cover, says Beach, and if you're planning a business or leisure trip, finding out should be your first step.