Healthcare when traveling?

[distracts]

So, my wedding was yesterday. There's a recap in the getting lost in stupid stuff thread in BWW. BUT... I woke up this morning with a sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, and 100F fever. We leave asap for the airport to go to Scotland, and no primacares or whatever are open until after we're at the airport, and obviously my doctor isn't open on Sunday morning either.

SO... anyone have any experiencing getting basic treatment for sickness abroad? Dunno what I even have, but I had strep throat two weeks ago and it feels a lot like the first day of that. I missed my last day of antibiotics for it because the pack with the pill in it fell out of my bag, so I'm worried it's that. It's Scotland, so I'm thinking probably a doctor visit + medicine wouldn't be super-expensive even without being a citizen? idk idk, worried! Don't wanna be sick on my honeymoon.

I googled a little but all I could find really was info about extreme emergencies, not minor ones.

 

[Rosebloom]

Oh crap!!! Nothing helpful to add. (Although I think there's a pharmacy at DFW if you can get your doc to call in a script before you leave).

 

[distracts]

Oh crap!!! Nothing helpful to add. (Although I think there's a pharmacy at DFW if you can get your doc to call in a script before you leave).

Idk what it is and I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't need them... though that is good to know.

My dad says that hotels there usually have doctors they contract with or something and that I can ask the hotel for a referral. So hopefully that's the case!

 

[TooPatient]

Oh crap!!! Nothing helpful to add. (Although I think there's a pharmacy at DFW if you can get your doc to call in a script before you leave).

Idk what it is and I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't need them... though that is good to know.

My dad says that hotels there usually have doctors they contract with or something and that I can ask the hotel for a referral. So hopefully that's the case!

Can you call the hotel and ask?
If your dr opens while you're at the airport, maybe call him and see what they suggest?

Good luck. Feel better!!!

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

When I was in the UK, I got sick and went to their local Dr. It didn't cost anything. They will take care of you for 3 or 6 months under their medical system. Since Scotland is still a part of the United Kingdom they may have the same care available to non UK citizens.
In any case their medical care is much cheaper there than in the US. Ask at your hotel. In the UK they were wonderful. They even sent a nurse for me at my brothers house. I had no trouble until I needed surgery.

Don't worry. Happy honeymoon!
Annette

 

[Rhea]

In my experience you can normally buy travel insurance over the internet at the last minute. Or I've even called our contents/renters insurance from the airport and added travel insurance.

In the UK they are cracking down on forgeiners use of healthcare. It's been in the news a fair amount over here. It raises the rates for the rest of us and makes our waits to see a GP longer if people are using our healthcare for "free". There is an agreement in place for a lot of countries, but the US isn't one of them seeing as they don't have state healthcare.

 

[Smith1942]

Congrats on your wedding!

Go to Scotland and fling yourself on the mercy of the NHS. If they make you pay, it'll be about 100 pounds for the visit and about 60 pounds for a course of antibiotics. (So about $260 total.) That's all, no big drama. You're not a health tourist - I'm quite sure you didn't plan to be sick when you booked your honeymoon. It's not your fault you're sick and I don't think you can buy health travel insurance in the US like you can in the UK. Genuine vacationers to the UK sometimes get sick and need treatment. No big deal.

So just go to the GP office nearest the hotel and pay whatever they say - it won't be much. If you need antibiotics, you shouldn't let the infection fester.

 

[chrono]

I would request assistance in locating a local doctor. You'll have to pay out of pocket but it is SO much less than in the US.

 

[distracts]

Thank you everyone! As it turns out, I DO have travel health insurance that the travel agent automatically got for us. We didn't look over the travel agent package until we got to our layover stop though. So it should be good either way. I am hoping I'll sleep all the way on the next flight and be better when I wake up though!

 

[hlmr]

I hope you feel better very soon, distracts!! Enjoy your honeymoon!

 

[amc80]

Thank you everyone! As it turns out, I DO have travel health insurance that the travel agent automatically got for us. We didn't look over the travel agent package until we got to our layover stop though. So it should be good either way. I am hoping I'll sleep all the way on the next flight and be better when I wake up though!

Great! I always recommend travel insurance to my clients. They complain about the cost but it's a whole lot cheaper than the alternative! Just be sure to save all of your receipts!

 

[chrono]

Hope you'll feel better soon!

 

[minousbijoux]

Update please! How are you?!! I know its your honeymoon, but I hope you're healthy and happy!