What to Do If You Need Medical Care in a Foreign Country

Before anything else, honestly assess whether the situation is an emergency. For life-threatening symptoms — severe chest pain, stroke signs, uncontrolled bleeding, or high fever with altered consciousness — call local emergency services immediately. Research the emergency number for your destination before you travel, as it differs by country (112 works across the EU; other regions vary).

For non-emergency concerns, take a breath. You have time to make a thoughtful plan.

Your travel health insurance policy is your single most important resource. Most insurers operate a 24/7 assistance hotline staffed by multilingual coordinators who can locate nearby approved facilities, arrange direct billing so you don't pay out of pocket, and advise on whether medical evacuation is warranted. Have your policy number ready when you call.

If you haven't yet looked into travel health coverage, our guide on what travel health insurance covers and excludes explains the key considerations before you go.

If your insurer can't direct you quickly, contact your nearest embassy or consulate — they maintain vetted lists of English-speaking physicians and hospitals used by expatriates and tourists. International hospitals in major cities often have dedicated foreigner-assistance desks with English-speaking staff.

Avoid making care decisions based solely on proximity in tourist areas, where pricing can be exploitative. Cross-reference any facility with your insurer's approved list or an embassy recommendation when the situation allows.

Present your personal medical summary card to the treating provider as soon as possible. If a language barrier exists, use a translation app to convey key symptoms — describe pain using location, intensity on a 1–10 scale, and when it started. Show rather than just tell: pointing to the area of pain transcends language gaps. Generic drug names (rather than brand names) are more universally recognized for medications.

Ask for itemized receipts for every service, a written diagnosis (in English if possible, or the local language for translation later), prescription records listing the generic drug name and dosage, and a discharge summary. Take photos of any documents you can't keep. This paperwork is essential for insurance reimbursement and for informing your home physician about what occurred and what treatment you received.

International pharmacies can typically fill prescriptions written locally, but verify that the prescribed medication is available — generic alternatives are often used when a specific brand isn't stocked. Confirm dosage instructions clearly, ideally in writing. If you'll be returning home soon, also ask the provider whether the condition requires follow-up care and whether it's safe to fly in your current state.

Once you're safe and stable, send your collected documentation to your travel insurer to begin the reimbursement or claim process — most policies have a filing window, so don't wait. When you return home, share your discharge summary and prescription records with your primary care provider so they can assess any ongoing treatment needs. Good handoff documentation makes this seamless.