Medical Care and Vacations
This Friday will be three weeks since I had emergency surgery in Puerto Vallarta to repair a compound fracture of my left ankle. I’m home recouperating now and this week I will re-visit my Orthopedic surgeon again, I’m hoping the sutures will be removed and a more rigid cast applied so I can drastically improve my ability to get around. Right now I’m limited to my family room, unfortunately my “good” leg has a torn meniscus so until I learn to levitate I’m really challenged.
If you received my newsletter you know I am willing to share some of my experiences about travel and healthcare.
- All my medical documents are in Spanish and in order to file a claim with my insurance company they need to be translated by a “certified” agency; I have a quote of $775.00 to translate all documents including several pages of the itemized hospital bill.
- The Travel Insurance will expect me/you to file a claim with your own personal insurance company “first” and be denied before they will review and decide on your claim for reimbursement.
- When you are traveling and if you should need medical attention you will need cash and you will need to be able to pay for your care using one or more credit cards, insurance reimbursement is your responsibility so be sure to retain all your records and receipts.
- Hopefully you have called your own insurance company before you leave the country to inquire about your coverage and policy limits.
- When traveling it is always important to notify your credit card company. If you need medical care and it’s expensive you will most likely need to use your credit cards to cover the cost of your care.
- Keep in mind if you need care outside the US you are most likely using providers that are “Out of Network” which means your coverage definitions vary so be sure to ask questions, your deductable might be twice what you thought it was (mine is).
- When you are ill or in need of care I strongly recommend you have an advocate or witness to be with you because you may not be able to focus or remember everything if you are uncomfortable, stressed or in pain.
- Fear, Anger and frustration will not help your healing process when you are hospitalized nor will it help you gain support as you work through the bureaacratic financial or insurance claims requirements.Â
- As you begin to make the phone calls for both follow up care and starting the claims process be patient and kind, ask questions so people can and will help you through the process.Â
Take a deep breath and focus on the real priority and that means healing and getting well,  take time to rest, eat well and just let others help you whether it’s bringing a meal or just stopping by to cheer you. Take a day at a time and believe that there are hidden blessings in this life event. I’ve always been the big sister, the boss, the one in charge of coordinating eveything and making decisions, this time my loved ones are in charge and I’m in their very capable hands. Truely something to be Thankful for.
Blessings,
Mary
December 1, 2009
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Mary · 
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Tags: Medical care while traveling, travel insurance · Posted in: Healing, Life Lessons
Mary Chapa is a multi-talented woman with a background in nursing management, sales and marketing in both healthcare and private industry. Mary is also a writer, storyteller and holistic health practitioner living in Minnesota.
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