Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year more and more Americans are traveling internationally — for vacation, business, volunteerism and to visit friends and family. Whatever your reason for traveling, be Proactive, Prepared and Protected when it comes to your health — and the health of others — while you are traveling.
Be Proactive
Take steps to anticipate any issues that could arise during your trip. The information in this section will help you plan for a safe and healthy trip.
| • | Learn about your destination. The CDC provides a comprehensive online resource to obtain health information for travel destinations worldwide. | |
| • | Let your doctor know about your travel plans at your next physical or other scheduled appointment. Your doctor may have specific recommendations for managing your health while traveling. | |
| • | Think about your health status. | |
| – | Are you too sick to travel? (Recent illnesses, injuries or surgeries) Check with your doctor to see if you are well enough to travel. | |
| – | Do you have any special health needs? (Babies and small children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, people with weakened immune systems) Visit the CDC website for tips and recommendations on how to travel with special health needs. | |
Be Prepared
No one wants to think about getting sick or hurt during a trip, but sometimes these things happen. You may not be able to prevent every illness or injury, but you can plan ahead to be able to deal with them.
| • | Pack smart. Have your health insurance card with you at all times so that you can call for services whenever you need them. Also pack a travel health kit. The kit should be tailored to your specific needs, type and length of travel and destination. Include supplies you may need to: | |
| – | Manage preexisting medical conditions and treat any exacerbations of these conditions. | |
| – | Prevent illness related to traveling. | |
| – | Take care of minor health problems as they occur. | |
| • | Plan ahead for illnesses and injuries during your trip. Sharp Health Plan members have access to global emergency services from Assist America. This program immediately connects you to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other services when faced with a medical emergency while traveling 100 miles or more away from your permanent residence or abroad. | |
| • | Know what to do if you become sick or injured on your trip. | |
| • | Know and share important information about your trip. | |
Be Protected
It is important to practice healthy behaviors during your trip and after you return home. This section outlines how you can protect yourself and others from illness during your trip.
| • | Pay attention to your health during your trip. | |
| – | Use sunscreen and insect repellent as directed. | |
| – | Be careful about food and water. | |
| – | Try not to take risks with your health and safety. | |
| – | Limit alcohol intake, and do not drink alcohol and drive. | |
| – | Wear a seatbelt. | |
| – | Wear protective gear when doing adventure activities. | |
| – | Respect your host country and its people by following local laws and customs. | |
| • | Pay attention to your health when you come home. If you become ill a few days or weeks after you return home, be sure to let your doctor know that you have been travelling. This information may help with your diagnosis and treatment. | |
In addition to coverage for 24-hour emergency care worldwide, Sharp Health Plan members also have access to a unique global emergency services program through Assist America at no additional cost.
Assist America is the nation's largest provider of worldwide emergency services through employee benefit plans. These services are available for members who face a medical emergency while traveling 100 miles or more away from their permanent residence or in a foreign country. For San Diegans that can mean travel to destinations as close as Los Angeles or Mexico. Assist America will immediately connect members to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other health care services.
To learn more about this service for Sharp Health Plan members, please call Customer Care at (619) 228-2300 or toll-free at 1-800-359-2002, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or refer to the Assist America brochure below.
| • | Assist America Brochure |
| • | Information is also available at www.assistamerica.com |
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ)
