Urgent care centers and emergency rooms don’t require an appointment, and many are open all day. Depending on where you’re traveling, they can have additional costs not covered by U.S. insurance plans.

For many, planning your sights and tours, must-visit restaurants, and favorite activities is the most fun part of preparing to travel. Even routine itinerary planning like airport transfers and rental cars can be fun because it means you’ll soon be visiting a new part of the country or the world.

Much less fun but equally important, especially if you’re visiting another country, is knowing where to get medical care in the unlikely event you need it. In the best-case scenario, you won’t need it at all. But if you have to find a medical professional quickly, having to figure out what your U.S. medical insurance covers, how to pay for the remaining costs, and where to get care can add a lot of extra stress.

Read on to learn more about getting urgent care while away from home.

Whether in the United States or another country, you’ll typically have an option of urgent care centers (sometimes called urgent care clinics) and hospital emergency rooms.

Urgent care centers and clinics

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a minor injury like a sprain or cut, or an upper respiratory infection, an urgent care clinic is your best option. Think of this facility as where you go if you have a pressing matter that needs medical treatment but is not life threatening.

Hospital emergency room

While typically more expensive out-of-pocket costs than an urgent care clinic, an emergency room is generally well equipped to handle life threatening conditions, such as those from a serious vehicle collision. You may be asked to provide identification or proof of insurance, but in an emergency, you will receive medical care even if you don’t have that information.

There are several important things you should know about the limits of private U.S. health insurance, as well as government plans like Medicare and Medicaid.

Does insurance cover it?

In the United States, the No Surprises Act requires that if your private insurance plan covers emergency care, no medical facility can charge you more for it than your in-network cost-sharing rate for certain services. This rate includes copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

However, if you’re outside the United States and have Medicare or Medicaid, they are typically not accepted outside of the country.

Because insurance policies vary greatly, it’s best to call your insurance provider and ask about the limits of your benefits while traveling within the United States and internationally. Questions you can ask include:

  • Does my coverage extend to the place I’m visiting? If so, what would an urgent care appointment cost?
  • What covered services can I get while traveling out of state or internationally?
  • Do I need prior approval for coverage for my plan to cover it?

The United States Department of State keeps lists of emergency medical providers (doctors and hospitals) for international travelers who become seriously ill or injured in other countries. Additionally, the agency can help facilitate the transfer of money to U.S. citizens for medical care in certain cases.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is a supplemental insurance plan that covers the costs of unexpected events while traveling.

It can be an invaluable resource not only if your bags get lost or your flight is delayed but also if you become seriously ill or injured while traveling.

Travel health insurance is a short-term insurance policy that covers medical care in the places you are traveling. It’s helpful to have if you have chronic medical conditions or are participating in activities like scuba diving or skydiving.

Travel health insurance is usually an add-on option to a travel insurance plan, and it’s not much more expensive than the base plan. The U.S. Department of State recommends finding a policy that includes:

  • emergency medical care in the region you’re traveling
  • has a 24-hour support phone line
  • has an evacuation clause for people traveling to areas with limited healthcare facilities.

An evacuation clause means that if you are in an area that does not have adequate medical care, you will be flown by air ambulance back to the United States or the closest high quality medical center.

There are many travel insurance providers. You can shop around for one that meets your needs and budget.

When you go to an urgent care clinic or ER, plan on bringing your ID card, which may need to be a passport if you are traveling abroad. It’s also helpful to bring your:

  • insurance card
  • your medical history if you have access to it
  • list of the medications you’re taking

It’s best to get medical care if you experience a minor or serious injury while traveling. It’s also important to get care for infections or allergic reactions, which can require immediate treatment.

On the other hand, if you experience minor symptoms, these can usually wait to be addressed until you’re back home. Examples can include:

  • minor rash
  • low fever without severe symptoms
  • minor aches and pains
  • scrapes and bruises

What You Can Do Today, Before You Travel

There are several things you can do before you travel to prepare in the event you or a loved one becomes ill or is injured while you are traveling.

  • Pack enough of your medications to last for your entire trip. If traveling overseas, check with the country’s embassy to confirm your medications can enter the country. For example, some countries do not allow cannabis to enter, even if it’s legal in the United States.
  • Create a personal medical card with information like your blood type, allergies, prescription medications, and chronic conditions. Consider creating this card in the language of your destination country if you are abroad.
  • Make a list of urgent care providers (doctors and medical facilities) in the areas you’re traveling from the lists at the U.S. Embassy if you’re traveling internationally.
  • Purchase travel insurance, which often includes healthcare coverage and an evacuation clause.

Whether traveling within the United States or internationally, U.S. citizens are entitled to certain rights for medical care. However, these rights usually have limits, so being prepared for unforeseen illnesses and injuries can lessen the potential challenges if you need to find an urgent care professional.