Vacation can be a time to relax and recharge. But accidents, illnesses and medical emergencies can — and do — happen sometimes when you’re away from home.
Whether you’re in the best shape of your life or have a chronic condition, it’s important to be prepared in case something happens while you’re traveling.
From virtual doctor visits to travel insurance, learn about your care options so you can be ready for anything.
Where can I get medical care while I’m traveling?
No matter where you go in the world, there’s always somewhere to go for medical care. Chances are, you’ll have lots of options wherever you are. The key is knowing which is right for your situation.
If you’re sick or hurt in an unfamiliar place, your first thought might be to head to a hospital. You can certainly get the care you need there. But it’s hard to know how much a hospital might cost you, says Noor Ali, M.D., M.P.H., C.P.H. She’s a health insurance advisor and owner of Dr. Noor Healthcare Advisor.
In fact, treatment in an emergency department may cost much more than the same care in your provider’s office. If you have an illness or injury that’s not life-threatening, consider one of these care options before heading to a hospital.
Would you be ready for a health emergency if one happened on vacation? Explore health insurance options online or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 to learn more.
1. 24-hour nurse hotlines
Many insurance providers include access to a 24-hour hotline that you can call for medical advice. When you call, you’ll talk to a nurse or other healthcare provider about your symptoms.
You can’t get a diagnosis on one of these calls. But you can get medical advice to help you make your next decision. If they feel that the problem is urgent, they might tell you to go to an urgent care center or hospital. Or you might be fine waiting to see a doctor until you get home.
“Especially when you’re traveling, I think that this should be your first line of defense for seeking care,” says Dr. Ali. It’s simple and convenient and could save you a lot of money on your care.
Before you leave for your trip, find out if your health plan includes access to a nurse hotline. If it does, save the number in your phone so you have it when you need it.
2. Telehealth and virtual doctor visits while traveling
If you need to see a doctor while you’re traveling, you might be able to set up a virtual appointment with your primary care doctor. Many clinics offer virtual care or telehealth appointments. In a virtual appointment, you can talk to your doctor at home via phone or video chat.
Unlike a nurse hotline, you can usually get a diagnosis during a virtual visit. Your doctor could even prescribe medicine that you can pick up locally.
Again, you’ll want to check with your health plan to see what kind of virtual care they cover. Some have built-in access to a telehealth hotline or app. Others may not cover virtual care at all.
If your insurance company doesn’t offer virtual options, Dr. Ali suggests looking into a third-party telehealth plan or app. “Consider getting a supplement, just to have the virtual care package,” she says.
3. Retail walk-in clinics
Drugstores aren’t just a place to pick up prescriptions anymore. Today, many of them have walk-in clinics. These types of clinics are an affordable option if you have a cold or flu, or a minor injury such as a sprain, burn or cut.
These facilities don’t usually require an appointment. You can just walk in and see the next available healthcare provider. If you need some medicine, the on-site pharmacy makes it easy to get prescriptions filled too.
“The good thing about these is your insurance bills it as a doctor visit,” Dr. Ali says, so you shouldn’t be hit with an unexpectedly high bill. “The convenience is also wonderful. And since they are everywhere, it’s a great option for travelers.”
4. Urgent care centers
Like walk-in drugstore clinics, urgent care centers don’t require an appointment. And many are open 24 hours a day. They are another great option for immediate care to treat mild illnesses or injuries. Many are also equipped to handle more serious problems that a drugstore clinic would not be able to treat. For example, many have X-ray machines and can treat minor bone fractures.
Interested in a non-insurance telehealth plan that can travel with you? Call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 or explore your options online.
When should I go to the emergency room?
Any of the above care options will likely cost less than a hospital visit. But you may need to go to the emergency room (ER) in some situations.
An ER visit is necessary for life-threatening injuries and illnesses. Examples of medical emergencies include:1
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness, confusion or fainting
- Swallowing a poisonous substance
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Serious injuries, especially to the head, neck or spine
- Swelling of the face, eyes or tongue
- Chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more
- Sudden severe pain, anywhere in the body
You cannot be turned away from an ER in the United States. All compliant Affordable Care Act health insurance plans are required to cover emergency services at the same price whether a hospital is in or out of network.2
Does my health insurance cover both domestic and international travel?
Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple yes or no answer. A lot depends on the type of coverage you have. For example, Medicare doesn’t cover you if you are traveling outside of the United States, except for in a few situations.3
Your best bet is to call your current health insurance company to find out what your health insurance does and doesn’t cover.
Questions to ask your health insurance company include:
- What is the range of my service coverage? Ask if your coverage extends to the place you’re visiting and what a doctor’s visit might cost.
- What services can I get while I’m out of state or out of the country? It can be helpful to know about options like nurse hotlines, virtual visits or local clinics.
- Do you need prior approval for coverage? Check if you need prior approval for a surgery or post-emergency treatment, and what steps to take if you do.
Should I get travel insurance for a vacation?
Whether you’re 500 or 5,000 miles from home, traveling for two nights or a year, problems can happen any time when traveling. That’s why adding a travel health insurance policy might be a good idea.
Travel insurance is a type of supplemental insurance that helps cover the costs of unexpected events while traveling. That includes medical emergencies, but also things like trip cancellations and lost luggage.
Travel insurance policies can vary. Three common types are:4
Trip cancellation insurance. This type of policy is mainly about protecting your financial investment in your trip. It usually covers last-minute cancellations or delays, and other costs like lost luggage.
Travel health insurance. If your regular health plan won’t cover your healthcare while traveling, you can look for a supplemental short term policy that will. This type of policy is a good idea if:
- You have a chronic health condition.
- You’ll be traveling for more than 6 months.
- You’ll be doing potentially dangerous activities like scuba diving or hang gliding.
Medical evacuation insurance. This coverage will pay for emergency transportation back to the United States or to a nearby high-quality hospital. You might want this type of plan if you are traveling to a remote area with limited healthcare options.
In the rare case that you need it, it could save you a lot of money — medical evacuation can cost more than $100,000 in some instances.4 Medical evacuation is sometimes included with a travel health insurance policy, or it can be bought separately.
You may have to shop around to find a travel insurance policy that fits your needs. The U.S. Department of State recommends checking to see if a policy covers:5
- Activities you plan on engaging in
- Emergency medical care
- Medical transport back to the United States
- Preexisting conditions
- The region(s) you’re traveling to
- Travel/accommodation costs
- Your duration of travel
What should I do before I leave for my trip?
A little prep can make a big difference if something goes wrong on your trip. Before you leave, add these items to your pre-trip checklist:
- Check that you have health insurance that will provide coverage while you’re away
- Download your insurance provider’s app
- Take a photo of your insurance card (front and back)
- Look for an in-network urgent care center near your destination
- Save a 24-hour nurse hotline in your contacts
Frequently asked questions
Can a virtual doctor send a prescription to a different state?
Yes, in most cases. If your insurance supports telehealth, doctors can often send prescriptions to a local pharmacy in your travel destination, provided they are licensed in that region or using a national network.
How do I find an in-network doctor while traveling in another state?
Most insurers offer a mobile app or online “Provider Finder” tool. Use your current zip code to filter for “In-Network” clinics. If you’re unsure, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card; they can provide a list of local providers to ensure you pay the lowest out-of-pocket rate.
What is the difference between urgent care and a retail clinic?
Retail clinics (like those in drugstores) are best for colds and minor burns. Urgent care centers are better for more serious needs, such as X-rays for potential fractures or stitching minor wounds.
What should I do if I get sick in a foreign country?
First, contact your travel insurance company’s 24-hour assistance line — they can direct you to vetted, English-speaking facilities. If you don't have travel insurance, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, as they maintain lists of local medical providers for American citizens.
Have questions about how travel insurance can help provide coverage while you’re away? Call 1-844-211-7730 to speak with a licensed insurance agent or browse options online.
Noor Ali, M.D., M.P.H., C.P.H., is a health insurance advisor and owner of Dr. Noor Healthcare Advisor.
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.
Sources:
- MedlinePlus. “Recognizing medical emergencies.” January 8, 2025. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001927.htm
- Healthcare.gov. “Getting emergency care.” Accessed May 28, 2026. Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/using-marketplace-coverage/getting-emergency-care/
- Medicare.gov. “Travel outside the U.S.” Accessed May 28, 2026. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/travel-outside-the-u.s.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Travel insurance.” Reviewed May 27, 2026. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance
- U.S. Department of State. “Travel insurance.” Updated August 11, 2025. Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/planning/guidance/insurance.html
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