Traveling Abroad? Plan Ahead to Stay Healthy

SUNDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Whether you're jetting to New Delhi on business, setting sail on the Mediterranean, or roughing it as a volunteer in Guatemala, you've got to be prepared for your medical needs.
Even a weekend in Paris requires some advance planning, travel health experts advise.

"I think maybe a lot of people don't do much of the thinking, they just do the packing," said Dr. Mark Wise, a family physician in North York, Ontario, Canada, and author of The Travel Doctor: Your Guide to Staying Healthy While You Travel.

The amount of preparation required for a trip abroad, of course, depends on many variables. You'll need to consider your destination, the length of your trip, the time of year you're traveling, and your current health condition, among other factors. Failing to do your homework, experts warn, could spoil the whole excursion.

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The following is a very nice letter written by my good friend/client Bud Huber of Boquete. With auto claims in Panama, if something can go wrong it will and it will happen to you.... Buy your insurance from a licensed Panama insurance broker and make sure they help when you have a claim!

Kevin,

I know this is a bit after the fact, but I have been busy with health
issues. Given that we have both had some very serious health challenges
this year, I am confident that you understand and will agree that health
issues take a much higher priority than what I am about to undertake in
this email.

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The power of belief!

Here is a great article about words/placebos and their effect on our health:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14309026/?GT1=8404

As a Panamanian citizen, I am entitled to Panama Social Security and have paid into this program for many years. I was always under the impression that this coverage was not available to pensionados and members of the Expat community. Although he has moved back to Costa Rica, my friend Allen McDonald and his family were able obtain this inexpensive and valuable protection.

Here are his suggestions...

Late in May 2006, after a delicious meal at a well known restaurant in Casco Viejo, I went home to a restless night's sleep and some stomach discomfort. By morning, a distinct pain had developed similar to the "upset stomach" I had experienced occasionally after a spicy meal.

My amateur medical self-diagnosis dictated that I stay home and treat the condition with Pepto-Bismol and Alka-Seltzer. Boy, was I ever wrong!

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The simple answer is that physicians, surgeons and private hospitals in Panama expect to be paid. If you cannot confirm health insurance coverage, show a bag full of $$$ or credit cards with a sufficient limit to cover the bill........you may be denied treatment. Foreigners in Panama have died waiting for surgery, because they could not show an ability to pay. At the very least, you should have some type of "air evac" coverage that might return you to your country of origin.

You may not wish to use the Panama Government facilities or may be delayed in receiving treatment behind Panamanians needing medical services.

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In Panama Auto policies, the "Medical Payments" or "Gastos Medicos" option covers medical expenses incurred by you and your passengers who may be injured in an automobile accident. There may also be coverage, if as a pedestrian, a vehicle causes bodily injury to you or a member of your family. More...

In Panama Auto policies, the "Comprehensive" or "Comprensivo" option, covers damage to your car caused by something "other than" a collision. This coverage typically includes claims caused by fire, theft, flood, vandalism, explosion, earthquake and falling objects (trees,rocks). More...

In Panama Auto policies, the "Collision" or "Colision" option is designed to pay for the repair or replacement of the policy owner's vehicle in the event of an accident (collision with another vehicle, tree etc.), no matter who caused the accident. Collision coverage usually requires the payment of a deductible.

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Standing in the middle of the road under the blazing sun or in pouring rain, horns beeping, traffic backing up.......all because you have just had a collision on the streets of Panama! BE PREPARED!

Here the basic procedures to follow after an automobile accident in the Republic of Panama. Based on my experience, interviews with Transito Police and Insurance Company Claims Adjusters, I would like to pass on the following suggestions.

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