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Medical Evacuation Insurance Can Be Bought By Travel Agents Or Directly From Company

While I was traveling in Afghanistan, I witnessed the most horrific medical emergency when a young Frenchwoman suddenly suffered from an appendicitis attack. Unfortunately, she was on a stranded bus in the middle of an empty desert when she experienced pain attacks. Americans increasingly are seeking out the remote corners of the world, and at least a few suffer life threatening illnesses or accidents, sometimes far from adequate medical care or any care at all.

In the middle of nowhere, the bus full of Afghans suddenly broke down just a couple of hours out of Kandahar. The westerner who suddenly approached me was definitely the friend of the Frenchwoman and was puzzled and worried. Her friend, stretched out in the back seat, was in terrible stomach pain. With the use of a wet handkerchief, they placed it on the Frenchwoman's forehead to temper the day's searing heat.

After a few hours, some passengers didn't have second thoughts in hopping on a truck that passed even though it wasn't going near Kabul. The Frenchwoman's stomach pains worsen but good thing, a sturdy European sedan passed by. The two French travelers were fortunate enough for the Swiss couple who were in the car agreed to give them a ride to Kabul. I was able to ride in the bus that came after a long while along with the Afghan passengers. The next day, the Frenchwoman showed her gratitude for what I did by visiting me in my hotel. The first thing that the she and the Swiss did when they got in Kabul was to call the French Embassy which helped in bringing the Frenchwoman with appendicitis in a hospital for an immediate appendectomy. It sure was a close encounter which chastened the friend, but she turned out to be okay after that.

Travelers are still faced with risky road conditions but the Maryland based association for safe international road travel in 60 foreign countries will be able to help them. Some reports may be about the probability of livestock on the road, accident prone roads, dangers of driving at night and bizarre driving practices depending on which country. The lack of safety standards makes bus or car rentals risky where it is relevant.

The death of a 25 year old Bethesda medical student who was killed in a bus accident in Turkey inspired the buildup of the association. The non-profit organization cites Egypt, Kenya, South Korea, Turkey and Morocco as the countries with the most dangerous roads based on accident statistics. India might be part of the list but still, it doesn't provide statistics. The US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has begun adding road hazard information to the consular information sheets it prepares for each country, under the association?s prompting. A medical evacuation policy should be bought and an adequate health insurance should be carried. The US Embassy can help you find medical care if you become ill or are injured but payment is up to you. Thousands of dollars could be the cost in evacuating you by air from a remote area to an emergency hospital. You first have to know what kind of medical service does your health insurance cover before going abroad according to the State Department and you also have to carry an insurance policy identity card as a proof that you?re an insurance holder.

The American Association of Retired Persons covers senior citizen?s treatment expenses outside the country through the use of a Medicare supplement plan, but the Social Security Medicare is not capable of providing one. Some firms offer insurances which can be purchased on per trip or annual basis such as medical evacuation insurance. Insurance is sold directly by the company and is also sold by the travel agents.

If ever the worst is encountered, better call the nearest US Embassy. The embassy could provide you a list of local doctors and other medical facilities. But often embassy personnel will take steps to assure that Americans get the best medical care. This takes place in remote areas where most Americans are fond of going. It is the officer?s duty to ensure that the victim receives adequate treatment, that the victim injured be transported to a better facility, and that the victim?s family and friends be contacted in a foreign hospital.

By: helene28

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