November 11, 2010

Doctor, Doctor

Getting sick on vacation is no fun, but it does happen. No matter how much you prepare––eating right, getting plenty of sleep, staying away from other sick people––there’s nothing you can do to entirely prevent sickness. When it does strike, especially when it’s a child, it can be scary and costly. When Nathan was just four, he was running a high fever in the heart of rural Mexico. Lucky for us, a caring pharmacist directed us to a thermometer and fever reduction medicine and we were back in the business of exploring the Yucatan within 24 hours. Remember, no matter where you are, the locals get sick too and they have doctors and pharmacies to help.


Depending on where you are, the cost of recovery can be pricey. We were in New York City filming Travel With Kids New York when Seamus got an ear infection. I knew from his pain and sleep pattern that it was an ear infection, so I hoped to visit a walk-in clinic and get a prescription for an antibiotic. Unfortunately, New York was in a transition period and all of the urgent care facilities had closed down. The hotel concierge said the only urgent care places they knew of had shut their doors. We visited a couple of pharmacies and got the same message: a quick cure was a no go. Even the taxi drivers agreed, and as everyone knows they are at the heart of information in a big city. We would have to visit the emergency room. After shelling out over $1,000 and sitting in waiting rooms for the good part of a day, we found out … Seamus had an ear infection.

There was one way we could have better prepared for that, and saved some money along the way: with a service I just recently learned about called On Demand Medical Care, included with many travel insurance policies from CSA Travel Protection. Through their partnership with the “Consult A Doctor” program, I would have been able to talk to a local physician directly who could provide advice, treatment and a prescription, if appropriate. No more worrying about finding a doctor or waiting all day in the emergency room for something that isn’t that serious. That is definitely worth the cost of insurance!!

We always recommend travel insurance and this product, On Demand Medical Care from CSA Travel Protection will definitely be in the mix next time we plan a trip. For more information on the service, visit www.csatravelprotection.com

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

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danvalley52 said...
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Anonymous said...

"New York was in a transition period and all of the urgent care facilities had closed down."

I live in NYC and have no idea what you are talking about. What "transition period?" Urgent care facilities are always available in NYC. There is an excellent one at NY Presbyterian-Cornell at 525 E. 68th but there are many others that are open 24/7. It's surprising that your concierge wouldn't know this but for the record most NY cabdrivers don't have a clue. Many of them are recent immigrants to this country and barely speak English. They are hardly "the heart of information in a big city" as you stated.

And it's absurd that you paid $1,000 (no health insurance?) for an ailment as minor as an ear infection. On a few occasions, I've had to go a an emergency room for more serious conditions, but I've never had to pay any where near $1,000.

ismail loas said...
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