On holiday ill - International Adventures for Travel Enthusiasts: Ideas to Explore Abroad
If you're hoping for a perfect summer vacation, it's vital to be prepared for any potential health mishaps. While a lovely time is on the horizon, unexpected injuries or illnesses can throw a wrench in your plans, including financial problems.
Nailing Down the Necessities
To ensure a smooth journey, check a few things before you leave. Double-check your first-aid kit for necessary supplies such as bandages, dressing materials, disinfectant spray, disposable gloves, pain relievers, and sunscreen. Also, ensure you've received all recommended vaccinations and packed required medications. Finding out how to reach emergency services at your destination – police, fire department, and emergency medical aid – is also crucial. Europe-wide, you can reach them through the emergency number 112.
It's essential to know who will serve as a point person in case of illness and to clarify details about medical treatment and insurance coverage. Germany's Liaison Office for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA) offers helpful advice on its website for numerous countries, mainly within the EU. Plus, your health insurance provider can assist with any inquiries regarding insurance coverage during your trip.
The European Health Insurance Card's Role
Each family member needs a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – found on the back of your health insurance card. This baby provides access to medical treatment via the public healthcare system in any of the 27 EU countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. All this comes with the same cost and conditions given to domestic citizens. The EHIC can be requested from your statutory health insurance, which must issue the card or a provisional replacement certificate on demand.
The EHIC covers pregnancy-related care and chronic diseases. But it doesn't cover every medical bill. Since health insurance holders in that country often pay fees, these costs still apply to policyholders. Additionally, the card doesn't cover medical treatment trips, effectively making it not a travel insurance substitute. So, if you're considering seeing a private doctor outside the EU, be prepared to foot the bill yourself unless you've got travel health insurance.
Foreign Health Insurance: A Must?
Suppose you don't require medical treatment and need to buy medication directly from pharmacies. In that case, you should be extra cautious. Keep in mind that some pharmacies might sell counterfeit drugs, putting you at risk. Note the name of the active ingredient instead of the brand name of the medicine you usually use. For example, aspirin is a brand, and its active component is called acetylsalicylic acid (ASS).
Public health insurance doesn't cover treatment-related expenses within the EU for every doctor. As a result, if you're treated by a private practitioner, you'll be responsible for paying those costs if you haven't taken out supplementary travel health insurance. If you're heading to cities beyond the EU, it's wise to invest in extra protection (besides the EHIC).
The Consumer Center strongly recommends travel health insurance as the "most crucial protection" during your travels. Because statutory health insurance won't cover return transportation expenses, additional payments, treatment by non-public service providers or trips outside the EU, it's key to explore the various options from private insurance companies.
