Have you ever had to go to a hospital over seas?

[gravenewworld]

I am about to leave for my 2 week vacation in Thailand tomorrow. But as fate would have it, my wisdom tooth in the back right corner of my mouth seems to be coming in right now. My gums are starting to become badly swollen. If it gets infected I will definitely have to have it taken out which means a Thai oral surgeon. So have you ever had to go to a hospital in a foreign country before? Would insurance even pay for this? Are foreigners allowed to go to hospitals and not pay anything in countries w/ universal health care?

 

[mgb_phys]

In most tourist countries there are hospitals that would be upto 'western' standards. Check with a brand-name hotel for recomendations.
Wether your travel insurance would cover you for an existing condition that knew would need treatent while you are away - otherwise you could get all your medical treatment for free with a cheap airfare and a 1 day insurance policy!

In the Europe/Canada you will be treated in a hospital but will normally be billed - either directly to your insurance company or sometimes back to your home countries health agency if there is a reciprocal agreement. The UK at least is trying to tighten up on this since hospitals near Heathrow airport are seen to be victims of health tourism.

 

[Crosson]

I don't know about visiting the hospital, but I do know how you can stave off infection completely for at least two weeks: hydrogen peroxide.

You can get it as a mouthwash (Colgate Peroxyl) or you can use the over the counter first aid stuff. If you use the first aid type, it has a higher concentration (3% instead of 1.9%), so it is best to use a soaked cotton ball (the only danger is swallowing large amounts).

Maybe it sounds like too much of an alternative medicine remedy, but I think it really works miracles for mouth infections (as in, one gargle before bed and an aching tooth abscess will feel and look much much better, for long enough to get to the dentist).

 

[chemisttree]

Of course you won't be able to take that hydrogen peroxide on the plane!

 

[mgb_phys]

Of course you won't be able to take that hydrogen peroxide on the plane!

Could you take say 99ml of H2O2 and 99ml of Acetone in separate bottles as long as you put them in a little transparent bag ?

Of course if they stop you - make sure that they don't throw them together into the bin with all the other suspected explosives.

 

[chemisttree]

Could you take say 99ml of H2O2 and 99ml of Acetone in separate bottles as long as you put them in a little transparent bag ?

Of course if they stop you - make sure that they don't throw them together into the bin with all the other suspected explosives.

Not much would happen at 3%.

 

[JasonRox]

I am about to leave for my 2 week vacation in Thailand tomorrow. But as fate would have it, my wisdom tooth in the back right corner of my mouth seems to be coming in right now. My gums are starting to become badly swollen. If it gets infected I will definitely have to have it taken out which means a Thai oral surgeon. So have you ever had to go to a hospital in a foreign country before? Would insurance even pay for this? Are foreigners allowed to go to hospitals and not pay anything in countries w/ universal health care?

So Americans don't want universal health care but hope that they are covered for health charges in countries where universal health care exists?

That's low.

 

[lisab]

So Americans don't want universal health care but hope that they are covered for health charges in countries where universal health care exists?

That's low.

I don't know why you'd think that's low...all insurance I've ever had offered coverage for international travelers. But most don't offer emergency medical evacuation, so you have to pay extra for that. When my daughter went to England last year, evacuation insurance cost about ten dollars for the summer. Well worth it, since a medical transport would cost thousands of dollars.

 

[~christina~]

I have to say yes. I was in a market somewhere in the world and this wasp decided to start eating my ankle.

I freaked out and had to go to the hospital so that they could put some gauze on the open wound. It was free though. (treatment)

As for if overseas will let you pay etc. etc. you have to speak to your current medical insurance. My mother has to go overseas and she gets a plan from her credit card of all things and she is insured up to a certain ammount.

 

[JasonRox]

I don't know why you'd think that's low...all insurance I've ever had offered coverage for international travelers. But most don't offer emergency medical evacuation, so you have to pay extra for that. When my daughter went to England last year, evacuation insurance cost about ten dollars for the summer. Well worth it, since a medical transport would cost thousands of dollars.

Buy travel insurance. Simple as that.

 

[~christina~]

Buy travel insurance. Simple as that.

So that's what it's called. That's what my mother buys when she travels overseas for buisness.

 

[humanino]

I underwent several surgery back in France. But since I am a citizen there, I did not need special insurance I have a few armenian friends, one of them needed a tooth surgery, I am not sure what. The plane ticket included, it is less expensive for him to go back home. And yes, he was perfectly happy about it, even he claimed the doctors are better there (of which I have no clue). I found it amazing, but that definitely does not apply to an emergency.

What about having to go to the hospital in the U.S. when you are an overseas' citizen. Back home I was told I had better get two of those insurances

 

[binzing]

Could you take say 99ml of H2O2 and 99ml of Acetone in separate bottles as long as you put them in a little transparent bag ?

Of course if they stop you - make sure that they don't throw them together into the bin with all the other suspected explosives.

And make an absolutely miniscule piece of AP. LOL