Dark Chocolate is Heart Healthy

June 26, 2020 By Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a good excuse to indulge in a little sweet treat but not totally fall off the wagon, have some dark chocolate.  A small dark chocolate candy bar, or about half of one full size candy bar a day is actually good for you!  The reason for this is that dark chocolate has a high cocoa content and cocoa is loaded with epicatechin. Epicatechin is a particularly active member of a group of compounds called plant flavonoids.

Flavonoids are found in dark leafy vegetables and contain antioxidants which protect the body from free radicals that can cause damage to the heart  and help reduce blood pressure.   Since cocoa beans are plant based, they have many of the same benefits of dark leafy vegetables.  Antioxidants scavenge the free-radicals that are responsible for oxidative damage.  In fact, dark chocolate contains nearly 8 times the number of antioxidants and flavonoids found in strawberries!

Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.  LDL cholesterol refers to low density lipoprotein cholesterol. When your blood is checked for cholesterol, the doctors will be looking at both HDL - the good cholesterol and LDL -the bad cholesterol.   Too much LDL in your blood can build up in the arteries.

However, not all chocolate is created equal.  Dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa than other forms of chocolate like white or milk chocolate.   Standard manufacturing can destroy up to half of the flavoniods, so you want to make sure you buy high quality chocolate and read the lable.  The higher the cocoa content, the healthier it is.  In fact, why not take an international cocoa plantation tour to find the best cocoa in central and south America.

In Ticul, Mexico, there is a relatively new chocolate plantation.  The plantation is relatively new because the plantation is only 5 years old and it takes 10 years for a cocoa plant to reach maturation.  However, with tender loving care, most cocoa trees begin to bear fruit in the fifth year, although some cocoa trees can yield pods in the third and forth years.   A cocoa tree reaches peek production in about 10 years and can continue to produce pods for up to 30-40 years.    At the plantation in Ticul, the seedlings and plants are sheltered by other trees, like banana, plantain, coconuts or hardwood trees to protect them from the wind and sun.  Plantation farmers in Ticul care for the cocoa plants and other plants very carefully and the plantation is thriving.

When you are travelling internationally to find the best cocoa beans and dark chocolate, make sure you have international health insurance.  Your domestic carrier does not cover you outside the border, so purchase some travel insurance to ensure your trip is safe and sweet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap

June 21, 2020 By Leave a Comment

It’s officially summer and the warm weather has us all begging to be outside.  However, you don’t have to be sunbathing on a tropical beach to get too much sun, even 10 minutes of unprotected exposure to sunlight can result in a sunburn.  Activities that may give you 10 minutes or more of sunlight are dining on an outdoor patio, watching your children’s soccer game, shopping in an outdoor mall, or standing outside talking to your neighbor.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States but luckily, is actually one of the most preventable forms of cancer too.   Although most skin cancer’s are formed in our early years, it’s never too late to take care of your skin.

To help prevent skin cancer’s from forming this summer,  The American Cancer Society started an awareness campaign by promoting the slogan “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap”.

“Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap”  is a catch phrase that reminds people of the 4 key ways they can protect themselves from UV radiation:

  • Slip on a shirt
  • Slop on sunscreen
  • Slap on a hat
  • Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes

Along with the helpful tips above, limit the amount of time spent in direct sun when the sun’s rays are most intense, generally from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  If you are going to be outside during these hours, make sure you use all of the helpful suggestions above for proper protection.

When traveling this summer, if you are actually lucky enough to end up sunbathing on a tropical beach, you may forget a lot of things, but don’t forget your sun protection.  Make sure you also have plenty of medical travel insurance coverage in case of a medical emergency that could end up with a trip to a local hospital such as severe dehydration, food poisoning, sports injuries or auto accidents.

Most of all, have a happy and healthy summer playing outdoors!

 

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Why Consider International Medical Travel Insurance?

May 30, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Most travelers assume their domestic medical insurance will cover them abroad. However, domestic coverage is not designed for international travel. Without realizing it, you could be putting your health, and that of your family, at risk by traveling abroad without coverage.

Two Types of Patriot Travel Insurance

American Insurance for ExPats offers medical Travel Insurance for U.S. citizens traveling outside the U.S.  There are two types of medical travel insurance available. Our Travel Insurance is for short term international vacations. If you are just vacationing, and decide to stay an additional week at your parents’s second home in Costa Rica, you can simply purchase another week of  Travel Insurance  upon your extension. This can be done on line, no matter where you are.

The Renewable International Medical Insurance is for trips that are 3 months or longer and are a more comprehensive travel insurance plan with extended coverage periods that may include brief returns to the U.S.  If you have a job that takes you out of the U.S. for at least 3 months (such as a missionary, foreign exchange student or consulting position) and you will need to stay a little longer than expected, you may renew coverage through the Renewable International Medical Insurance as long as you purchased a minimum of 3 months of coverage initially. Renewal can be extended up to 2 years. Renewals are available in whole month, or daily increments, and may be completed on line. Each insured person must only satisfy one deductible and coinsurance within each 12 month coverage period.

Renewal means that if you had to go to the doctor or emergency room during the Period Coverage, and you met your deductible doing this, you do not have to start over and meet another deductible upon renewal. Your deductible will be considered met as long as there was no lapse in coverage.

Benefit Period

Another plus of both Patriot International Travel Insurance plans are the six month Benefit Period. If a covered injury or illness requires continuing treatment in the U.S. after the Period of Coverage expires, the six month Benefit Period may provide continued coverage. When the health insurance certificate expires, the underwriter, IMG, will review the date of initial treatment for the covered injury or illness. If treatment began less than six months before the Period of Coverage expired, benefits for the covered injury or illness will continue subject to the Maximum Limits and the other terms of the plan until there have been six months of continuous coverage of the covered injury or illness.

What Other Items Do the Patriot Travel Medical Plans Offer?

The Patriot Travel Medical Insurance Plans are primarily centered around medical emergencies in foreign countries.  However, there are some other benefits included such as evacuation in the event of a political evacuation or an act of terrorism, emergency medical evacuation coverage, emergency reunion of family member coverage, return of mortal remains, return of minor children to the U.S. in the event they would be left unattended, and identity theft assistance.

How To Enroll

To enroll for Patriot Travel Medical Insurance, simply fill out the Application Form and calculate the premium for the time period you and/or your family will be traveling. IMG normally processes Application Forms within 24 hours of receipt, and coverage begins immediately. As soon as you are approved, your Fullfillment Kit will be available to download.

You may also call our offices direct, from the U.S. at 1-800-961-6774, or from Mexico at 01-800-681-1517, and one of our licensed insurance agents will assist you with your application.

How Do I Get My ID Cards and Claim Forms?

If you enroll on line, you may also download your fulfillment kit by checking the appropriate box listed in Section 2 of the Application Form. The fullfillment kit will include an IMG Identification Card, IMG contact numbers, Claim Forms and your Insurance Certificate providing a complete description of your rights and benefits under the contract.

How Do I Submit a Claim?

Coverage under a Patriot Travel plan is secondary to any other coverage you may currently have in the U.S. Coverage and benefits are for medically necessary, usual, reasonable and customary charges only. Charges must be administered or ordered by any physician available to you outside the U.S. and incurred during the Period of Coverage or the Benefit Period. Claims must be presented to IMG for payment within the Period of Coverage, the Benefit Period or during the three months immediately following the Period of Coverage.

You have up to 90 days to submit a claim after the date of your doctor visit. Claims may be faxed or emailed to IMG for ease in submission, or mailed when you are back in the United States. Eligible claims that have been paid by or on behalf of the Insured Person will be reimbursed by check directly to the Insured Person. Eligible claims that have not yet been paid by the Insured Person will be paid either to the Insured Person or directly to the provider.

 

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Individualized Travel Insurance Plans To Fit Your Needs

April 15, 2020 By 1 Comment

If you are traveling abroad, whether alone or in a group, for business or pleasure, American Insurance For Expats offers individualized travel insurance plans to meet your needs.   These six plans are designed to help you get the most of your international travel experience and provide you with peace of mind.

Patriot Travel Medical Insurance

The Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance plan is designed for  U.S. and non-U.S. citizens who need temporary medical insurance while traveling for business or pleasure anywhere outside of their home country.  This plan is good for high school graduation trips, college students studying abroad, families sponsoring exchange students, international travelers, visiting relatives, seniors age 65 and older traveling abroad and recently arrived immigrants.  Some of the highlights included with this plan are:

  • Short-term travel medical coverage
  • Coverage for individuals and dependents
  • Coverage for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country
  • Maximum limits from $50,000 to $2,000,000
  • Deductible options from $0 to $2,500
  • Available in daily and monthly rates
  • Renewable up to 24 months if three months or more are purchased
  • Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice
  • Trip cancellation, travel delay and baggage delay benefits available
  • Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
  • 24 hour secure access from anywhere in the world to manage your account at any time

Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance

This plan is designed for traveling executives and people wanting first-class medical coverage.  Some of the highlights of this plan include:

  • Short-term travel medical coverage
  • Coverage for individuals and dependents
  • Coverage for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country
  • Maximum Limits from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000
  • Deductible options from $0 to $25,000
  • Available in daily and monthly rates
  • Renewable up to 36 months if three months are purchased initially
  • Access to Global Concierge & Assistance Services
  • Access to board-certified physicians, licensed psychologists, pharmacist, dentists, dieticians and trainers to assist with any routine health related questions
  • Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of choice
  • Trip cancellation, travel delay and baggage delay benefits available
  • Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
  • 12 month benefit period
  • 24 hour secure access from anywhere in the world to manage your account at any time

 

Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance

Designed for travelers under age 76 who are covered by an individual or group medical plan and travel internationally frequently throughout the year outside their home country.   This plan offers the option of purchasing a single annual plan at an affordable annual premium.  The highlights of this plan include:

  • Short-term travel medical insurance
  • Coverage for frequent travelers, spouses and/or children traveling for a period of 12 months
  • Coverage for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens
  • Maximum Limit $1,000,000
  • Individual deductible - $250 per each covered illness
  • Annual premium
  • Freedom to seek treatment with the hospital or doctor of choice
  • Multiple trip coverage throughout the year - choice of 30 days or 45 days in length
  • Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
  • 24 hour secure access from anywhere in the world to manage your account at any time

 

Patriot Adventure Travel Medical Insurance

This plan pretty much explains it all in the name and is designed for adventurous international travelers who intend to participate in the thrill of adventure sports and realize that their current medical plan does not cover certain hazardous sports and activities.  Highlights include:

  • Short-term travel medical insurance
  • Coverage for individuals and dependents
  • Coverage for U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens
  • Maximum Limit $50,000
  • Coverage for several adventure sport activities
  • Coverage for a minimum of 30 days up to a maximum of six months
  • Option to purchase in 15 day increments after one month is purchased
  • Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
  • 24 hour secure access from anywhere in the world to manage account at any time

 

Patriot Group Travel Medical Insurance

This plan is designed with groups of five or more travelers, student group travelers or missionaries.  Highlights include:

  • Short-term travel medical insurance
  • Coverage for groups
  • Plans for U.S. citizens or for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country
  • Maximum Limits from $50,000 to $2,000,000
  • Deductible options from $0 to $2,500
  • Available in monthly and daily rates
  • Renewable up to 24 months if three months is purchased
  • Freedom to seek treatment with the hospital or doctor of choice
  • Trip cancellation, travel delay and baggage delay benefits available
  • Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
  • Discounted premium from the Patriot Individual Plan
  • Single plan for entire group of travelers
  • Optional Chaperone Rider benefit
  • 24 hour secure access from anywhere in the world to manage your account at any time

Patriot Platinum Group Travel Medical Insurance

Similar to the Patriot Group Travel Medical Insurance plan, the Platinum plan provides first-class protection for groups of five or more who want to obtain the maximum coverage available in a short-term travel medical insurance product.  Highlights include:

  • Short-term travel medical coverage
  • Coverage for groups
  • Coverage for U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country
  • Maximum Limits from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000
  • Deductible options from $0 to $25,000
  • Available in monthly and daily rates
  • Renewable up to 36 months if three months is initially purchased
  • Access to Global Concierge & Assistance Services - extended services handled by a dedicated service team
  • Access to board-certified physicians, licensed psychologists, pharmacist, dentists, dieticians and trainers to assist you with any routine health related questions you have
  • Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice
  • Trip cancellation, travel delay and baggage delay benefits available
  • Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
  • Discounted premium from the Patriot Individual plan
  • Single plan for entire group of travelers
  • Optional Chaperone Rider benefit
  • 12 month benefit period
  • 24 hour secure access from anywhere in the world to manage account at any time

If you are in traveling outside the country, and need international travel health insurance, contact American Insurance For Expats, and one of our friendly representatives will help you choose the right plan for your needs.

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Travel Illnesses Can Happen To You

April 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Traveling outside the U.S. is exciting, refreshing and exhilerating.  However, there are some common illnesses that many travelers get when they visit undeveloped countries.  Almost 40% of travelers manage to contract a virus while on vacation, so you want to be aware of these common illnesses and make sure you are prepared by carrying travel health insurance.

Montezuma’s Revenge is the most common illness, and is not contained to just Mexico.  Montezuma’s Revenge can occur in any country where you might be exposed to different strains of the E. coli bacteria.  M.R. causes diarrhea, and if left untreated, possible dehydration.  It is a water born virus, so items like fruit, smoothies, alcoholic beverages made with fruit, ect., may have foreign bacteria your body is not familiar with.  People traveling to the U.S. from other countries can also get Montezuma’s Revenge.  If you suspect you have M.R., get to a local doctor or pharmacist for diagnosis and treatment.

American Insurance For Expats offers travel insurance coverage for international insurance needs of U.S. and non-U.S. citizens who need temporary medical assistance and insurance while traveling for business or pleasure anywhere outside of their home country.  American Insurance For Expats works with the carriers IMG, BUPA, and SKYMED.

Another common illness is Malaria.  Malaria is spread through insect bites.  It used to be that malaria was only a problem in tropical areas, but in recent years, outbreaks have occurred in places such as Marseilles, France and Florida as well.

Other common insect bite type illnesses are Dengue Fever and Chikungunya.  The incidences of contracting these two illnesses have been particularly high in travelers returning from Central America, India, and the Caribbean.   Unfortunately, if you contract Dengue Fever, there is no specific treatment.  Dengue fever is an acute viral infection caused by at least four different strains of Dengue virus. Classic Dengue begins suddenly with flu-like symptoms consisting of fever, malaise, cough and headache.  Severe pains in muscles and joints, as well as chills also occur. Enlarged lymph glands, rash and low WBC counts are common. After a week or so, the symptoms regress but weakness may persist.  According to the CDC’s web site, travelers should consult a physician to diagnose the illness, drink plenty of liquids and get lots of rest.

IMG, one of the providers through American Insurance for Expats, has developed two types of travel insurance.  Patriot International® provides coverage for U.S. citizens traveling outside the U.S. with coverage for brief returns to the U.S., while Patriot America® provides coverage for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country.  Both plans are available for a minimum of 5 days up to a maximum of two years, available 24 hours a day.

With these coverages, a traveler will have access to international, multilingual customer service centers, claims administrators who process claims from all over the world, handling virtually every language and currency, and 24 hour access to highly qualified coordinators of emergency medical services and international treatment.

Almost 40% of travelers manage to pick up some sort of virus, either water or insect born, while traveling to a foreign country, so it is better to be prepared by carrying travel health insurance.

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Three Reasons Travelers Health Insurance Is Better Than Credit Card Insurance Coverage

April 2, 2020 By Leave a Comment

A lot of people do not purchase international travel insurance because they believe they are already covered by the travel insurance offered through their credit card.  However, insurance protection through a credit card provider often times does not cover to the degree offered by a true travelers health insurance plan.

Credit Card Fees

For one, a higher annual credit card fee may be required to get the travel benefits.  Often, the annual fees charged by credit cards are higher than you’d expect to pay for a basic travel insurance plan.  An additional caveat is that a traveler must charge all travel expenses to the card for the coverage to be in effect, and your trip must be less than 30 days long.

Trip Cancellation

Trip cancellation coverage through your credit card is typically limited to canceling for illness, injury, or death of you, a close family member, or your traveling companion reasons only.  By comparison, trip cancellation with travel insurance includes:

  • Injury or illness of insured, travel companion, family member, or business partner
  • Required to work, terminated, or transferred
  • Theft of passport or visa prior to trip
  • Traffic accident prior to trip
  • Jury duty, a required court appearance, or military redeployment
  • Victim of felonious assault prior to trip
  • Hurricane or natural disaster strikes destination
  • Loss of accommodations abroad due to an illness or death of host family or friends
  • Death or hospitalization of destination host
  • Legal separation or divorce
  • Bankruptcy or financial default of travel company
  • Terrorism or mandatory evacuation at destination
  • Home or business damaged, vandalized, or burglarized
  • School year extension

Travelers health insurance also offers optional  ”Cancel For Any Reason Coverage”.  This coverage lets you cancel for any reason and receive reimbursement such as concerns about civil unrest or political upheaval at your destination. If this becomes a concern, coverage can ensure you get at least a portion (half or more) of your travel investment back.

Travel Delay

Credit card protection for travel delay often includes coverage for reasons such as delays due to inclement weather, common carrier equipment failure, and lost or stolen passports.  In comparison, travel insurance covers for reasons such as:

  • Delays due to common carrier problems, including inclement weather
  • Delays due to severe weather causing a route to be closed by U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Delays due to unannounced strikes
  • Delays due to civil disorder, riots or unrest
  • Delays due to lost or stolen passports, money, or other travel documents
  • Delays due to quarantine of you or your traveling companion
  • Delays due to hijacking
  • Delays due to natural disasters

Insurance protection through a credit card provider often times does not cover to the degree offered by a true travelers health insurance plan.  Look into both insurance plans so you can make a thorough decision before you leave.

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Repatriation Coverage and Travel Insurance

April 2, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Not many insurance carriers will pay for emergencies in foreign cities or while on a cruise.  International travelers should be aware of what their insurance does and does not cover before they leave the country.  Travel health insurance is available and covers not only medical accident expenses but also covers things you may not expect to happen while vacationing.  There are a few things you should make sure are covered with your international health insurance provider before leaving your country.

Repatriation Coverage

No one ever expects the worst case scenario.  However, if you are an adventurous traveller, during your vacation, you might get involved in an accident that could result in death or permanent disability. Your travel insurance provider should state whether or not they cover repatriation.  Whether you are traveling by yourself, with friends, or with family, it’s important to remember that if a death occurs on any trip, your body is not automatically shipped back home for burial.  In fact, it’s usually stored in the local morgue and local laws govern how long it may have to wait before being sent home.

Transporting a body can take a lot of money and coordination to properly prepare and ship it back home.  Each country has their own laws and regulations governing how a body can be transported and generally this requires a good deal of paper work in the regional language.  With repatriation coverage, you will have assistance from your travel insurance representative to coordinate and manage the paper work, as well as cover the costs associated with filings.

If you are an adventurous traveler travelling alone, these responsibilities are best left to a professional that can wade through international waters on your behalf rather than leaving it to surviving family members to solve and potentially pay for.  In worst case scenarios like an accidental death, any cancellation fees associated with hotels and airlines are covered as well.    Repatriation coverage is an important aspect of travel health insurance you should look into before leaving on your adventure vacation for your own protection as well as your loved ones.

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Mexico Has Great Opticians

March 23, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Mexico has great Opticians with experienced training and modern equipment.  The prices, however, are not a lot less than in the United States.  An exam is usually complimentary with a purchase of new contacts or glasses, but the frames are just as expensive in Mexico as in the United States.

Opticians can be found working in chains or independent practices and both offer similar services with quality opticians.   Contact lenses are widely available in Mexico, including the monthly disposables. Daily disposables are available in fewer places and may need to be pre-ordered for later pick-up.   Although contact lenses are available over the counter without a prescription, you should have eye tests for contact lens performed annually so the doctor check for infections or other issues which may arise with the use of contact lenses.

Laser Eye Treatment is Available in Mexico

If you are looking to have corrective eye surgery and laser treatment for cataracts or another eye disease, Lasik procedures are less expensive in Mexico as compared to the United States or Canada.   As a result of the growth in the medical tourism industry in the country, people from nearby United States and Canada can seek lower cost laser eye surgery in Mexico.  Hospitals in Guadalajara, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Monterrey have great hospitals that can perform Lasik wave front surgery, CustomVue, cataract removal procedures and laser vision treatments.

Laser eye treatments are not always covered by your health insurance company, but check with your doctor first.  It is usually classed as elective surgery as a number of insurance companies consider eye surgery a purely cosmetic procedure and not a necessary medical procedure. On a case by case basis, some insurance policies will consider coverage if the procedure is required and in that case, Medicare benefits will be available.

Mexico has trained and qualified opticians throughout the country.  If you are planning on relocating to Mexico, you should look into obtaining international health insurance for emergency care.  Although doctor visits are generally affordable, it’s best to have expat health insurance.

 

 

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Immunizations for Mexico

March 23, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Before travelling to another country, check with your doctor about any necessary immunizations you may need to have updated.  For instance, when you travel to Mexico, it is a good idea to be immunized for Diphtheria, Tetanus and Measles.  These are shots are good for ten years, so if you don’t remember the last time you were immunized, you will want to get a booster shot.

There are a few other shots you may find that you need, so an appointment with your doctor before any trip is a good idea.  Here are a few immunizations to follow up with before travelling:

Hepatitis A:  If you have had this vaccination in the past, be aware that you need a booster every six months.  You can contract Hepatitis A through food or water.  Hepatitis A attacks your liver, and the symptoms are severe diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Hepatitis B:  Hepatitis B is spread by exposure to blood and sexual contact, and the symptoms are similar to Hepatitis A , only worse.  This immunization is not as common.

Typhoid:   Typhoid is spread through water, so if you are travelling to a location that may have unclean water supplies, you will definitely want to let your doctor know.  Typhoid immunizations can be taken orally as well as through a shot.

Malaria: Malaria can be spread through a mosquito’s bite.   Shortly after you are bitten, the parasites travel through the bloodstream to the liver, where they mature and release merozoites and infect red blood cells.  The parasites multiply inside the red blood cells, which then break open within 48 to 72 hours, infecting more red blood cells. The first symptoms usually occur 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, though they can appear as early as 8 days or as long as a year after infection. The symptoms occur in cycles of 48 to 72 hours.

Rabies: Almost any country you visit is going to have Rabies, including the United States, so it’s a good idea to stay current on this one.

Always let your doctor know when you are travelling to a foreign country to be proactive about protecting your health.  Your doctor will know what immunizations will be necessary for the area you are visiting.  Should you need medical assistance abroad, travelers health insurance will cover any emergency care you may need as well as any hotel cancellations or airline ticket penalties.

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When Travelling in a Foreign Country, Ask Locals For References

March 22, 2020 By Leave a Comment

When travelling to a foreign country, it’s a good idea to ask locals for recommended regional hospitals and doctor’s names, especially if you plan on visiting for an extended amount of time.  There are a few other questions to ask the locals as well to make sure you have the information you need in case of an emergency while in a foreign land.

Once you find out the name of the local hospital, ask for the name of a doctor that speaks English.  If you aren’t able to get the name of an English speaking doctor, write down important personal information the doctor will need to treat you, such as any medications you are currently taking, any medications you may be allergic to, the name and contact information of your travelers health insurance, and your own family emergency contact information.  Keep this list in your purse, and make sure you have it on you at all times.  Giving an extra copy to the hotel concierge, or grounds keeper of the property you are staying at is not a bad idea either.

International health insurance agencies may already have a list of English speaking doctors in the area you will be visiting, so check with them first.

In case of a dental emergency, ask your neighbors, restaurant owners or shop owners for a recommended dentist.  Emergency dental care is covered with travel insurance, so should you have an accident that involves your teeth, you will know where to go in a hurry.

A lot of countries also have pharmacies that sell generic prescription drugs for less, so it’s a good idea to find out where those are located as well.  The price difference between generic and brand names is usually pretty broad, so the savings of shopping generic can save a lot of money.  You may not run out of any medications you need while visiting but if you end up needing a new prescription, it could save a lot by knowing where to go to purchase them before you need them.

It’s fun to talk to locals for tips about the area you are visiting.  You will probably end up hearing about local hidden treasures to visit that you never would have had an opportunity to see otherwise as well as great medical advice.  Don’t be afraid to practice your language skills, the information you will get is worth any amount of embarrassment you may experience from your lack of language abilities.

 

 

 

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