Enjoy good health on vacation: Plan ahead to travel

Summer is traditionally the time when most of us take that much-needed vacation. But when you're planning a trip, don't overlook the health care needs of you and your family. Here are some things to consider:

Can you take your benefits?

It's no fun to have a vacation interrupted by a medical problem. But it could be even worse to discover later that your health insurance does not provide the benefits you expected. In particular, HMOs generally limit the benefits provided for care received outside an HMO's service area. Empire Plan enrollees should obtain a booklet called On the Road with the Empire Plan. See your Health Benefits Administrator (HBA), who is usually located in the Personnel Office. You can also download a copy from the Civil Service web site www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd. From the NYSHIP Online home page, click on "Using Your Benefits," and then "Publications". This booklet tells enrollees what they need to know about their health insurance while travelling outside New York state. It's also useful for enrollees with dependent students who are going to college away from home.

You should contact your health plan if you need information on the following:

• What benefits are available for emergency medical care and what criteria are used to determine if these benefits will be provided? What benefits are available for non-emergency, urgent medical care?

Health plans distinguish between emergency and non-emergency, urgent care. Be sure you know what your plan considers an emergency. A hospital emergency room can be an expensive place to go for non-emergencies. There are less costly alternatives, such as a physician's office or urgent care facility that may be more appropriate for the treatment of non-emergencies. Empire Plan enrollees can call NurseLine at 1-877-7NYSHIP for health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Do the benefits for urgent and emergency medical care differ depending on the type of provider, e.g., hospital, urgent care facility, or physician?

Your out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductible, copayment or coinsurance amounts, may differ depending on the type of provider. Also, benefits may differ depending on whether or not the provider has an agreement with your health plan to accept the plan's payment as payment in full.

• Are there providers who participate in or are affiliated with your health plan located in the area where you'll be vacationing?

Empire Plan enrollees have access to participating providers in several states besides New York. To locate a participating provider, including pharmacies, call the Empire Plan Information Center at 1-877-7NYSHIP. You can also use the Civil Service web site www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd; and from the NYSHIP Online home page, click on "Find a Provider" to link to each Empire Plan par provider directory. 

If there are no medical-surgical providers, check to see if there are any MultiPlan providers available. When you use non-par providers who are affiliated with MultiPlan, you will receive discounts on the providers' usual fees.

HMO enrollees may also have access to participating providers outside their HMO's service area. Some HMOs have agreements with other HMOs to allow their enrollees access to each other's network of providers. Contact your HMO to determine if your HMO has such an agreement.

• What procedures should you follow if you or a member of your family needs medical care while on vacation? Are there notification requirements that must be satisfied and, if so, whom do you notify and within what time frame? What are the penalties if you fail to meet these requirements?

Remember that if you are enrolled in the Empire Plan, you must call Empire Blue Cross at 1-877-7NYSHIP within 48 hours after an emergency or urgent hospital admission. You do not have to call when you are traveling out of the country.

• Will you be required to pay the provider at the time services are received and, if so, how do you obtain reimbursement?

Get the answers to these questions before an emergency happens and you should be able to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

See your doctor if...

It's usually not necessary for people in good health to see a doctor before going on a short trip. However, you should call or see your doctor before leaving if you:

• Are going out of the country for an extended period of time;

• Were recently hospitalized for a serious condition or had major surgery;

• Have a chronic medical condition or are taking prescription medicine; or

• Have a minor ailment such as a sore throat or earache.

Consider having a dental checkup before leaving if you are going out of the country or will be gone for an extended period of time.

Try to think ahead

Trips away from home can present some problems for people who are being treated for an illness or medical condition. It's important to identify these potential problems so you don't do anything that might be harmful to your health. For instance:

• Do you have an adequate supply of prescribed medication for the length of time you'll be away?

Travelers are encouraged to take twice the normal supply needed, carrying half on their person and half in their luggage, to protect against loss or theft. Check the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web site, www.tsa.gov, for updated information on travel restrictions.

• Will the climate or altitude of your vacation destination aggravate your condition?

For example, if you're heading for the mountains be aware there is a lower concentration of oxygen at higher altitudes. This can aggravate certain chronic lung or congestive heart conditions, as well as cause altitude sickness.

If you're heading to the beach, be aware that many medications can increase your sensitivity to the sun causing you to burn more easily or develop a rash or other skin reaction. These medications include: antidepressants, antibiotics, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, chemotherapy, diuretics, and medications used by diabetics. Check with your doctor or pharmacist so you can take proper precautions.

• Should you limit or avoid certain physical activities?

• Will the local cuisine have any adverse affects on your condition or react with the medication you're taking?

If you have to be careful about your diet because of diabetes, weight control, or food allergies, it is particularly important to know how foods are prepared and what ingredients are used.

• Is the food safe to eat and the water safe to drink?

If you're traveling abroad, you may want to avoid salad, ice, rare meat and raw shellfish. Carry bottled water and/or water purification products if traveling to an area with questionable water quality.

• Do you have all the immunizations required for your travel destination?

In addition to those immunizations required, you may want to consider getting other immunizations recommended for those traveling to a given area (check www.cdc.gov/travel). Be sure to allow yourself enough time to receive all of the immunizations needed and to allow effective immunity to develop. If some immunizations are not covered by the Empire Plan or your HMO, but you are enrolled in the Health Care Spending Account, save your receipts because you can submit them for reimbursement.

• Does your doctor want you to call him or her if you have a problem with your medication or develop uncomfortable symptoms (that are not life threatening or could cause serious bodily harm or impairment)? If not, what should you do instead?

• Do you need to take medical information of any kind with you?

When packing your bags, be sure to include:

• your and your family's health plan identification card(s) and health plan telephone numbers;

• the name(s) and telephone number(s) of your doctor(s);

• any paperwork your doctor advises you to bring such as a brief history of your medical condition and treatment, or a list of your food and drug allergies;

• your medication, as well as prescriptions for any additional medication you may need; and

• a first aid kit

Thorough planning will go a long way in ensuring you remain healthy on your vacation and preparing you for any health-related emergencies that may arise. Have a safe trip, relax and enjoy yourself!