As a Digital Nomad, how can I find a doctor when traveling abroad?

Just because we love to live an adventurous lifestyle, it doesn’t mean that we should be careless about important things such as our health during our travels. Truth be told, most young people believe they are bulletproof, and health is not something they think about often.

That is until it becomes apparent that it’s necessary to ask a doctor for advice. Depending on your destination, it can be quite difficult to find proper health care. So, what are the steps you can take in order to prepare yourself ahead of your next trip in order to stay safe and sound? Here is where you can start.

Always find a good health insurance policy

Not all health insurance policies are made the same, and this is especially true in the case of digital nomads. Written in those tiny letters, you can often see exemptions to the rules, lack of full coverage or other things that can ruin your day in a hurry.

Now, be aware that most credit cards offer some form of health insurance as well, and this might be a good option if you want to keep the costs to a bare minimum. In case you decide to gamble and skimp on the insurance, know that you might be facing medical bills that can range in thousands of dollars. That doesn’t really sound like a good way to spend your hard-earned money, right? That’s why it’s best to play it safe and think ahead.

Get in touch with your insurance company

Most insurances offer a list of healthcare centers that can be found close to your destination, along with other important information such as their working hours and the services they provide. Now, depending on your situation, you might not have a stable internet connection to perform this search, or you might simply want to speak to a person who can help you directly.

That is why you can always contact your healthcare insurance provider, explain your situation in detail and ask for the best options near you. Not only that you can get the best information about available centers this way, but you’ll also get a chance to double-check that your desired treatment will be fully covered by the insurance as well.

Talk to other expats or use online forums and groups

While you can always use Google to find doctors nearby, talking to others who were in your situation might actually be the better and safer option. The quality of service can greatly vary from one hospital to another, and those who had had similar experiences might be best suited to assist you with find the proper help.

Naturally, do your own research as well, as taking someone’s word as gospel is never a good solution, but it can at least narrow down your choices, which can speed up the process significantly.

Always insist on finding an English-speaking doctor

Remote villages in the middle of Asia might not have millions of doctors who speak fluent English, but there are always at least a few doctors who do. When asking for medical help, it is extremely important to speak to a person who can understand what you’re trying to explain, as setting up a proper diagnosis is the first step toward getting the treatment you need for your illness.

Have a list of medications you are taking

A lot of people aren’t aware that brand names of medication can change from one country to another. For instance, those who are taking Advil are actually consuming a substance known as ibuprofen. Why is this important? Well, if you find yourself in a foreign country, even doctors won’t always be aware of the different brand names for drugs. So, to avoid any confusion, take a few moments to find out the actual names of substances instead of brand names, you never know whether it might be necessary.