- Let the person's primary care doctor know of your travel plans.
- Take more of the person's medications than needed, along with a list of names and dosages.
- Check with the doctor to see if an immunization against Hepatitis A is recommended if traveling to high-risk areas.
- Take a list of all medical conditions.
- Use a Medic-Alert identification bracelet for the person in care.
- Take a copy of his EKG.
- Read his insurance policy before taking the trip to see how "emergency" is defined.
- If medical care is needed during the trip, get copies of all bills to support claims for reimbursement.
- Check into reciprocal agreements between the person's health plan and a provider in the area you will visit.
- If you anticipate the need for medical care, call ahead or ask your HMO to help you make doctor's appointments in the new location.
- Consider buying traveler's insurance. Study the policy terms regarding pre-existing conditions. READ THE FINE PRINT.
- Check that medical equipment is insured for loss or theft.. Consider taking a portable grab bar on the trip.
- Communicate with airline in advance and get any necessary paperwork for doctor to fill out.
- Have extra oxygen prescriptions.
- If there will be a layover arrange for oxygen to be available.
- If traveling to a foreign country, see if the policy allows for medical evacuation.
- Take the person's health insurance card and the HMO's toll free number for travelers.
- Take copies of the pages in the insurance benefits booklet dealing with emergency access.
- Carry a card listing phone numbers of next-of-kin in case of illness during the trip.
- Carry a copy of the Consular Information Sheet of the country you are visiting.
- Write the primary care doctor's number and beeper number on the health insurance card, along with the date of the last tetanus injection.
- If taking a cruise, ask if a doctor with experience in emergency medicine or family practice will be on board.
- If the person in your care has a heart condition, check to make sure your airline carries a defibrillator in the event of cardiac arrest. Most major airlines carry them now.
- Tell the travel agent or airline that you will require a wheelchair and ask to have your request noted on the ticket.
- Call ahead to the airport, bus station or train station to request assistance.
- If a flight is delayed for more than four hours, an airline has a duty to provide a meal that is comparable to the meal offered on the flight -- if asked for by the passenger.
Checklist: Travel for Someone With a Chronic Condition
Excerpted from The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for CaregiversTM
Caring.com is an informational site only. Neither Caring.com nor its partners provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or legal, financial, or other professional services advice or advice about what service providers to use.
By using our Website, you agree to the
Terms of Use
and
Privacy Policy.
© Copyright 2008-2009 Caring, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Was this useful? Spread the word and help others like you!