For most people, getting seriously sick while traveling is rare. However, for pilots, it’s pretty common. Especially since pilots are traveling all the time for work! While most can fight off the common cold, flu, or stomach virus without medical attention; what happens if you get sick overseas and need to find a hospital? What happens when you need urgent medical attention and you are unfamiliar with your surroundings? How do yo go about finding the right medical center to address your needs? It’s a scary situation which makes preparation that much more important. In this article we will address 3 ways you can be prepared for the “just-in-case”.

Health Insurance

It is so important to know your health insurance program. Understand what your benefits are, especially while you are abroad. Also make sure you always carry your insurance identity card so you have proof of that insurance. Although many health insurance companies will pay “customary and reasonable” hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your medical evacuation back to your home country. Medical evacuation can easily cost $10,000 and up, depending on your location and medical condition.

Travel With Prescription Medications

You should not only travel with any prescription medications, but also with the prescriptions. During travel things get shuffled around and sometimes lost. If you lose important medications how will you replace them while you are overseas? Remember to keep your medication in their original containers and/or keep a letter from your physician. You may also want to check with the foreign embassy to make sure non of your medicines are considered illegal narcotics.

Information Is Key

Do you need specific vaccines before you travel? Do you need any vaccines before you go back home? Are there any viruses or diseases going around in the location you are traveling to? A little research goes a long way. The last thing you want is to need medical attention because you didn’t know to get a vaccine before you left.

These 3 tips are a great start to preparing for any traveling you might be doing. As a pilot, your health care is one of the most important accessories you take to work with you everyday. Make sure you have the right one! See the amazing pilot healthcare programs Baymac has build specifically for aviation professionals.