One of the great things about summer is the coveted family vacation.  This season, be prepared in the case of an unexpected trip to the emergency room or urgent care while traveling away from home.  Here are some smart tips when planning your next vacation:

  • Before you leave, look up a participating doctor, clinic or hospital in the area you will be traveling. All carriers have a link to their mainland network on their website where you can search for participating entities by name, city and zip code (see links below).

  • Take a picture (front and back) of your insurance card. Even if you lose your wallet, you will know who to call in the case of an emergency.

  • Fill up on any prescriptions before leaving on vacation.  Having an ample supply of your medication while away from home will come in handy in the event of a delayed return.

  • Sign up for an online account or download an app. All carriers have online accounts (and some a phone app) for their members to use.  This helps with keeping track of your medical history, doctor’s visits, lab results and some even allow to fill prescriptions right from your phone. Having this information at the tip of your fingertips can be useful when traveling.

  • Consider using your telemedicine benefit (if applicable) to connect with a doctor over the phone for minor conditions.

Please refer to your insurance carrier and details of you plan coverage to see what kind of resources and benefits are available to you. Happy traveling!

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