Travel Health Insurance
and Packing Your Medication

What You Need to Know About Travel Health Insurance,
Medical Restrictions and Packing for Airport Security

In choosing your travel health insurance, see your doctor before travelling and find out what kind of protection is needed for the countries you plan to visit.

• Pack your immunization records and make a list of the medication and prescriptions that you require.
• Among the most common concerns people have is international travel medical risks.
• Many older adults feel concerned about the possibility of getting sick or injured while traveling abroad and are afraid they won't be able to find a doctor.

That is why international travel insurance is recommended.

Travel Health Insurance
Finding a Doctor in Other Countries

Often there are concerns associated with having to find a doctor in a country where you don’t speak the language well enough to discuss your symptoms, answer questions about your medical history, or understand the treatments that are being offered.

Don’t let Medical Travel Insurance Concerns
Stop you from Enjoying your Travel Dreams.

Plan ahead, research your medical travel insurance and before your next international trip join International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT).

• IAMAT is a non-profit organization that maintains a worldwide network of physicians who speak English and provide affordable prearranged fees for treating its members.
• Membership is free, although donations are appreciated and are used to support the organization’s valuable work.
• This along with medical travel insurance will make international travel most enjoyable.

Membership in IAMAT can make international travel less frightening by helping you find a doctor and receive good medical care when you are away from home.

You can also get answers to your travel questions by checking out travel insurance online.

Travel Health Insurance Tips
and Over the Counter Medication

Did you know that some medicines which are freely available in one country could be illegal elsewhere and may require a prescription?

• Contact the embassy or consulate of each country before leaving.
• Do your homework and stay out of trouble when you travel abroad.

• Ensure your over-the-counter medication is legal in the countries to which you are travelling.

For example, Japan has restrictions on some common inhalers, sinus and allergy medications and in Singapore you need a prescription for Ibuprofen.

International Travel Health Insurance
Prescription Medication & Your Travel Medical Kit

Passengers requiring prescription medication should always carry them on board in their carry-on bag or travel medical kit.

• Travellers requiring daily medical supplies should carry a travel medical kit.

• This kit will contain a list of all prescription medicine and over-the-counter medication with a medical letter/certificate signed by their physician confirming the patient requires the medication for their personal use.

Some countries require this letter to also be signed by the national health administration.

International Travel Medical Insurance Advice
Make Sure to Plan Ahead

Visit your doctor before travelling.

• Ensure your immunizations are current.
• Reserve a seat by the wing if you are prone to air sickness.
• Rest well before the flight.
• Check in early at the airport to give you plenty of time to reach your departure gate.
• Carry your medication with you.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes that have been worn previously.
  

Basic but Useful Travel Health Advice

On Board Your Flight:

• Eat lightly.
• Drink water and fruit juices and limit alcohol consumption.
• Place your carry-on bag in the compartment above rather than under the seat in front of you so that you can stretch and exercise your legs.
• Stand and walk about the cabin periodically.
• Relax and enjoy your flight.

Travel Health Tips
Things to Do After Arrival to Your Destination

Be active as soon as possible and schedule outdoor activities on the first few days at the new destination.

• If you need to catch up on sleep, limit your naps to a single nap of an hour or less. Go to bed and awaken at the appropriate time for the new time zone.
• Discuss with your physician if sleep medication would be beneficial.
• For SCUBA diving travellers, it is advisable to wait 24 hours after the last dive before taking to the skies so as to minimize the risk of developing decompression illness, such as the bends.

Here are a number of links with comprehensive health and travel advice to help you have healthy and safe travels, and offer valuable information when you are selecting your international travel health insurance:

Civil Aviation Authority

World Health Organization (WHO) on Health Issues and Vaccinations

Interactive WHO World Map of Vaccination Requirements

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Interactive Map for the CDC for Specific Information for Countries Worldwide

Travel Tips from Travel.State.Gov Bureau of Consular Affairs

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