Accidents happen, and while we hope that you never encounter any – especially when traveling – Vitals, an online resource for finding doctors and medical facilities, is offering tips on how to find affordable care when away from home.
1. Don’t forget to pack your insurance card and medications.
2. Bring a first aid kit packed with bandages, alcohol swabs, ibuprofen, decongestants, and other basics.
3. Call your primary care physician with questions or for advice; he or she should be able to point you in the right direction of where you should go next.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask pharmacists questions.
5. If an ailment needs more than an over-the-counter remedy, call your insurer to see what benefits are available to you when you’re “out of area.” Ask about out-of-pocket costs for urgent care and retail clinics, as well as emergency care, and if you’ll need pre-authorization before hospitalization.
6. Use walk-in clinics that care for more serious ailments and injuries – and no appointment is necessary. Most clinics post prices so you’ll know the cost beforehand.
7. When a sickness or injury is life threatening and no other care option is available, seek out the nearest emergency room immediately.
