Travelling abroad for the first time

kay957

Well-Known Member
Messages
177
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I am due to travel to Austria early next year (I won the competition on here) I have never been abroad ever and don't know what to expect? do I have to fill any form in to say I am a diabetic, I am also on chemotherapy and wondered if I have to inform anyone about my conditions i.e the airline etc... also medical insurance? how do I obtain that? I would love to have some help this is really bothering me. :(
 

Vikingepigen

Well-Known Member
Messages
168
Firstly, many congratulations on winning the competition!! Well done!!

Referring to you post there seem to be a number of issues to deal with - firstly having a passport?? Secondly you need to obtain your "European Health Insurance Card" which will cover you for general medical care in EU Countries (including Austria) - information and how to apply can be found here https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do. You do not need to be approved for this, but just complete a form and a couple of weeks later your card will arrive.

Secondly to get travel insurance and using the links from this site is as good a starting point as any - they do seem to offer good cover/value for money. Only the insurance company will be able to tell you the level of cover and cost, depending on your health issues. The important bit is to remember to have included not only treatment there, but far more importantly that your insurance will cover YOUR transport home in case of illness/accident etc.

If you need to tell anybody about your health is mainly down to you, however you do need to check with the airline about what they might need to know about any health concerns/health issues you are currently being treated for and/or any medication you are carrying with you, e.g. insulin etc. You might need a letter from your GP to get through airport security a little easier - make sure you have the original but also several copies, as back up!

As for the hotel, all depends on what type of board you are on - but this hotel is (if I remember rightly) specialist in diabetic diets? So of course they need to know your preferences for food etc to be able to cater for your needs, especially if you are taking any other meals than breakfast.

I am sure others, will add their comments, but I think the above will get you started on the "paper" trail for your trip!

Hope you have a great time!!

Best
Alice
 

Dennis

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,506
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Dislikes
People who join web forums to be agressive and cause trouble
Hi Kay,

Excellent advice from Alice, but just a couple of things to add.

You won't need a doctor's note as all your medications are in tablet form - it's only liquids (like insulin) that you might have trouble boarding the plane with. Make sure you take enough meds with you to last the holiday (plus a bit more to be on the safe side) and carry them all in your hand luggage. Don't pack them away in your suitcase because pills tend to have a habit of magically disappearing from luggage!

As you are not a regular traveller, make sure any travel insurance you get is for a single trip, not a full year policy. This will make it much cheaper. It is essential to have travel insurance for a destination like Austria in the winter. If you were to slip on a snow-covered pavement it's nice to know the cost of your treatment will be covered.

Finally - enjoy the experience!!
 

Vikingepigen

Well-Known Member
Messages
168
Dennis, treatment for accident and/or illness is covered by the "European Health Insurance Card" , hence it is vital to have it with you. It is like a EU National Insurance card, if you like.

However, travel insurance to cover more extensive/specialist/dental treatment and especially home transport is ESSENTIAL, even from a EU country - this cost is NOT covered by the "European Health Insurance Card" as many seem to think it does.

Also make sure your travel insurance cover EMERGENCY MEDICINE SUPPLIES, should your own supplies be destroyed or stolen. At least you know you have immediate access to new supplies from local pharmacies. A separate list and/or a letter from you GP listing your medicines is a huge help and peace of mind.

Just suggestions to make your life easier for your first trip abroad and for you to have peace of mind in "worst case" - may it never happen!!


Best
Alice
 

IanS

Well-Known Member
Messages
130
Vikingepigen said:
Also make sure your travel insurance cover EMERGENCY MEDICINE SUPPLIES, should your own supplies be destroyed or stolen. At least you know you have immediate access to new supplies from local pharmacies.

I speak from practical experience here. Having had an airline lose my medication, I can tell you that it can seriously eat into your holiday time obtaining prescriptions from a local doctor to obtain replacement medication from a pharmacy - all of which has to be paid for at the going private rates (unless you have a European Health Insurance Card), but you will still have to pay for your medication in some countries (such as France).

The one thing that you may discover is that over 90% of the medication prescribed in the UK actually costs less than the £7.20 prescription charge. :!:

IanS
 

phoenix

Expert
Messages
5,671
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Health care in Austria using EHIC

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/healthcare ... stria.aspx

The one thing that you may discover is that over 90% of the medication prescribed in the UK actually costs less than the £7.20 prescription charge
But some diabetes medicines cost a whole lot more eg: costs in France, 5 levimir pens, 67€, 5 lantus €47, 3 months supply simvastatin 61€
All countries differ in the way they cover costs but in France you should apply for a partial refund of of up front costs whilst in the country (ie 70% in France for most prescrition medicines). You should be given a 'feuille de soins' which you take to the CPAM and fill in lots of forms and bank details. If you use an EHIC as an in patient, the medical bill but not the board and lodging charges will be paid for direct.
Howevever, if you aren't able to do apply in France, (ie weekends, bank holidays, inability to communicate with the local health care authorities etc) you can use the form to claim in the UK, you may also be able to get the rest of your contribution back. They use the word may and I've never found the rules for that specified.

As to insurance there are some quite reasonably priced policies which take into account that you have a EHIC and covers things like baggage losses, the contributions not paid for by the EHIC and repatriation.
 

IanS

Well-Known Member
Messages
130
phoenix said:
The one thing that you may discover is that over 90% of the medication prescribed in the UK actually costs less than the £7.20 prescription charge
But some diabetes medicines cost a whole lot more eg: costs in France, 5 levimir pens, 67€, 5 lantus €47, 3 months supply simvastatin 61€

That could be in the remaining 10% then. Many medications even actually cost under a pound.

IanS
 

kay957

Well-Known Member
Messages
177
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Thank you so much for the information, it has been very very helpful for a first timer to an EU country. The hotel have been very nice and speak very good English and we (My Husband and I) are really looking forward to going early next year, we actually are going in ski season, but are not skiing. I am going to seek out insurance information before I go and let the airline know I am on certain medications, one of them is cytotoxic and I am unsure if they allow that without a letter?

Again many thanks for the wonderful advice, I knew you would have the solutions to my problem.