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When we travel, we seldom think we’ll get sick. But these, days with swine flu and other viruses becoming more prevalent in favorite Canadian tourist destinations like Mexico, it pays to do a bit of research before you leave the country. You want to make sure you have health insurance that guarantees you'll get the best medical treatment possible out of the country — with little or no costs to you.
Here are some tips to ensure you’ll be well taken care of when you cross Canada's borders:
1. Err on the side of caution. If you’re running a high fever, or suffering chest pains, don’t assume the symptoms will go away by themselves. If you have travel insurance, call the 1-800 number written on the back of your insurance card. A customer service rep will direct you to the nearest clinic in your area. If you don’t have travel insurance, call the front desk of your hotel or call your tour guide if you’re part of a group.
2. Not confident about the advice you’re getting? Then call the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. If you can’t find where that consulate is, phone Canada’s Foreign Affairs department. Its 24-hour, seven-day-a-week help desk is at 1-613-996-8885 and, yes, you can dial collect. Foreign Affairs staff can often direct you to a clinic in your area. They can also arrange for money to be wired to you from home and, in emergencies, will even advance you a short-term loan to get back to Canada.
3. If you fall sick in the U.S., realize that there is a big distinction between state-funded public hospitals and private hospitals. Public hospitals are required by law to treat everyone who needs medical assistance, even those who can’t pay for it. These hospitals will stabilize your condition if your illness is life-threatening, but they won’t do much more than that. And because of long line-ups and chronic underfunding, the attention you get at these hospitals may be very limited.
You’ll get better care at a private hospital, but only if you can pay. These institutions are expensive — $4,000 a day is typical. If you show up at the doorstep of a private hospital with a heart attack in progress, don’t be surprised if the first question you get asked is about finances, not symptoms. You usually have to show an insurance card or hand over a credit card to be taken seriously. Otherwise, you will be diverted to a public hospital.
4. A bit of organization can speed your diagnosis. Before you leave for the clinic, put all your prescription medication, with labels on, in a clear plastic bag. Show it to the doctor who examines you. This allows your caregiver to see at a glance what you’ve been taking and can alert him or her to your medical issues, especially if you’re too ill to respond or don’t speak the language.
5. If you’re feeling less than perfect, but not really sick, and don’t trust the local facilities, head to the nearest Internet cafe. Web sites such as www.webmd.com allow you to research what your symptoms may mean. If you want more tailored information, visit www.justanswer.com/medical. For a fee, one of the site’s doctors will answer your personal questions, usually within minutes.
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