How to Get Reimbursed for Medical Expenses Abroad

Then it happens. You’re hiking down the marble stairs, slick with wear and wet shoes because of the rain outside, walking faster than normal because you have some 12 year old track star breathing down your neck. All of a sudden, you feel a tweak in your knee. You’ve stepped wrong, and now your knee has paid the price.

Sooner than you can say “Tower of Pisa”, your knee is down for the count. Out of commission. You’re hobbling along, hoping that enough alcohol can help you forget that your knee is demanding attention and rest, two things you’d rather give your surroundings, and not your knee.

If this sounds oddly specific, it’s because this has happened to me. In fact, lately, every time I go abroad, something strikes me or a person I’m traveling with. I’ve been under anesthesia in Mexico, been given antibiotics in Europe, and witnessed Eastern European dentistry with a friend.

The biggest problem I’ve experienced during these encounters has not been problems with service, but rather getting reimbursed once I’m back in the US. I’ve been denied more times than I can count (often, for no good reason), I’ve had friends give up trying to get any money back, and I think I’ve found a semi-reasonable solution. Here’s how you can (try to) get reimbursed for medical expenses abroad.

First, although no one plans to get sick or injured while traveling abroad, occasionally it happens, and it’s important to know what your plan covers. Call your insurance company ahead of time and see what type of coverage you have, and what the reimbursement policy is.

You’ll want to see if emergency care is covered at hospital emergency rooms as well as urgent care centers and local pharmacies. Some insurers will not cover hospital or emergency stays, or will charge higher out-of-pocket costs if you’re not “in-network.” In order to avoid these types of surprises, you should call ahead and speak to your insurance representative.

In general, if your health insurance plan covers you for emergency situations in the US, it’s likely you’ll be covered for emergencies that occur while you’re in another country. However, definitely call your insurance company ahead of time and don’t rely on my word! 🙂

You’ll want to take your insurance card with you when you travel, as it provides the hospital with important information about who you are and the type of coverage you have. If you’re covered out of country, having your insurance card on you will making billing and reimbursement simpler.

As a side note, when traveling abroad, make sure you have a list of medications you’re allergic to, as well as list of any prescription medications you take. If possible, try to take extra medication with you in case your original medication is lost, damaged, or if you’re inexplicably stuck in a foreign country for longer than anticipated.