[PUP] Medical insurance/medial care out of the US

[bob Austin]

Before leaving, have a complete and comprehensive physical exam by your 
physician, including cardiac stress test if over 40, chest Xrays and 
baseline blood tests, including blood count and multiscreen (includes liver 
and kidney screening tests).    Have copies of your past medical records, 
EKG's and X rays aboard your boat when you depart.  Have adequate first aid 
equiptment, be trained to give CRP, first aid and have a contact avialable 
with your physican at home.

Keep your primary health insurance.  Contact your carrier and find out what 
their policies are for foreign travel.  Many policies have coverage on a 
limited basis and some allow for transport.  I personally avoid HMO's 
because of their restrictive coverage.

When I was on the BOD of SSCA, there was an affiliation with Bluewater 
insurance (this relationship has been since severed)--they offered and still 
offer a world wide cruiser's health insurance--very much like IMG and I 
checked out the physicians and hospitals used in the US and they were good. 
This is not a recommendation of any insurance plan.  Look carefully at what 
is covered in the country, the residency requirements, and transport back to 
the US.

Health care in Latin America is what is most important to Scott and his 
wife.  When we were cruising we examined the various medical facilities and 
talked with physicians.  In the larger towns there are usually excellently 
trained physicians, often who have had residencies at good US programs.  To 
find these professionals check with the local yacht club members or 
professionals such as other physicians or attornies.  The standards for 
hospitals are much different than in the US--but the costs of both 
physician's visits and hospitalization/proceedures/medication etc are far 
smaller than in the US.

In smaller towns, the care is often hap hazard.  There may not be a hospital 
within a number of miles over a rough road--if even available.  Even air 
flights may not be available, so check to see if a policy will provide 
helicopter transport with trained medical personal if necessary.

On the good news side--in general cruisers are healthy and medical needs are 
minimal.  One has to be cautious to avoid accidents.  A safety inspection of 
a boat is a very good idea.  Look for areas of sharp corners, metal or glass 
edges which might cut.  Have safety proceedures for anchoring and use of 
winches and windlass.  Wear shoes when up on deck, and when cooking in rough 
weather, wear boots and an apron to avoid burns by spilled hot water (of 
course have the cooking pots secured by clamps).  If you get a cut in any 
water, immediately clean it, irrigate it and apply antibiotic ointment.  If 
there is sign of infection, begin antibiotics.  The "coral cuts" type of 
infection was one of the most common aliments we saw.

Regards--and safe voyaging

Bob Austin