By Dr. Amit Arwindekar
Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare Global
As the weather gets warmer and the school year has ended, many California residents may be planning a vacation. While some prefer a staycation, 86 percent of Americans plan to travel out of state and 50 percent plan to travel internationally.
Everyone hopes their trip will go smoothly, but more than one in four Americans report getting sick or hurt on a vacation and 56 percent needed medical treatment as a result. To help you prioritize a healthy and safe trip, consider these tips:
- Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor before traveling. At your visit, inform your doctor of your travel plans to see how best to support your health while traveling, including getting any recommended or required vaccinations. Before leaving, refill any prescriptions you might need while away and pack enough to last your entire trip. Check travel health information and recent travel notices for destinations abroad so you know what to expect when you arrive.
If you haven’t had an annual wellness exam and preventive screenings recently, this may be a good time to make sure you are on top of any health concerns. Health plans usually cover preventive care, which means you may pay $0 out of pocket for certain covered preventive services if you go to a network provider.
You may also consider options like virtual visits for non-emergency care. Virtual visits may be both cost-effective and more convenient. Talk to your health plan and doctor about virtual care options that might be available to you while traveling. Virtual care may help you quickly and affordably access needed care with a network provider while on the road.
- Pack properly and make sure you have enough essentials. Prior to leaving home, check the weather at your destination and pack accordingly. Prepare a travel health kit with essentials like hand sanitizer, over-the-counter medications, sunscreen and bug spray. Remember to pack important items like prescription medications in your carry-on luggage in the event of an emergency, or if your checked bags get lost during travel.
- Take care of your health during your vacation. Physical activity may help reduce stress and promote well-being. Plan to incorporate some form of activity during your vacation, such as sightseeing walks, bike rides or daytime hikes. To help avoid dehydration, carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the day. Also, make sure to wear and reapply sunscreen to protect your skin and use bug spray to keep yourself safe from bug bites.
- Prepare for possible jet lag. Data shows that 60 to 70 percent of long-distance travelers may experience some form of jet lag. Preparing for time changes and getting good sleep prior to travel may help reduce symptoms of jet lag. Make sure to drink lots of water. At your destination, soak in the sunlight as this may help reset your internal clock to help promote better sleep, which may be key to reducing jet lag and supporting your immune system.
- Consider travel medical insurance and travel protection. Accidents happen. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. That may include making sure you have health coverage while you’re away, which may help you avoid major costs in the event of an accident or sudden illness. If you plan to travel, check with your health plan to see what coverage you may have at your destination – especially if you’re traveling internationally as many health plans may not cover medical expenses while abroad.
These tips may help you stay on top of your health so you can enjoy a worry-free vacation and return home reenergized.
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