Most of us enjoy traveling, especially during the summer months. Even people who are not in the best health like to get away, and take a trip. Travel may even do them well, because taking time to relax on a vacation can have a restorative effect. Not to mention, a change in scenery can do wonders to lift the spirits and even promote healing.
Just a few decades ago, someone who was elderly, prone to ill-health or infirm would not have dreamt of traveling far. This was understandable, after all, most airports did not cater to their needs. Getting on a plane was an exhausting nightmare that most people could not cope with.
Beyond air travel, many people worried about what would happen if they got sick while they were away. Up until fairly recently getting comprehensive travel insurance if you were not in good health was all but impossible.
Fortunately, things have changed. Several insurance firms now offer a good level of coverage for the sick, elderly and infirm. An example is the united healthcare pre-existing conditions policy. Provided your condition has been stable for 6 months, you can get a quote from them. In many parts of the world, for example in Europe, the law states that assistance must be provided at the airport and on the plane for disabled or infirm passengers.
As you can see, two of the major hurdles that faced travelers with pre-existing conditions have now been removed. As a consequence, people are taking advantage of this fact, and traveling more. With a little extra preparation, you can do so too, even if you are not in the best of health. There are just a few extra things you need to take into account.
Travel insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, there are a wider range of policies available now. However, it is very important that you do your research before buying a policy. You need to understand exactly what is covered and what is not.
It is very important to fill in the application form accurately. Failure to do so, can easily invalidate your policy. You also need to understand what you have to do should your condition change between the date you book your vacation and when you actually travel. Normally, you will still be covered, but not following the notification rules, could leave you without proper coverage.
Save The Contact Numbers
Remember to add your travel insurance contact numbers to your phone. Calling them is a good way to make sure they get put into your mobile correctly. Once you know you have got through to the right place, you can quickly and politely end the conversation. Double-check that you have included the area code and that the numbers are the ones that have been set up so they can be dialed from abroad. It is also worth making a photocopy of these numbers and keeping that in a wallet or purse.
Pack Your Medications
Make sure that you have enough medication to take you through your entire holiday. It is wise to take at least an extra week supply with you. That way if you get delayed, you will not have to worry for a few days.
Double-check that you can legally take your medications into all of the countries you are planning to visit on your trip. You usually can, but how much you can take may be limited. You may also need to carry your prescriptions or other documents with you.
It is also wise to find out what your medications are called in your destination country. Should you lose anything, replacing it should be a lot easier. If you take expensive medications double-check to see if your travel insurance covers replacing any that you lose.
This is a collaborative post. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.
