Greetings everyone,
I've searched on this one but all I keep getting back are threads on
boat insurance.
How does a sailing couple handle the logistics and payment for
medical issues that are beyond their capabilities onboard when they are outside of U.S. waters?
I understand this could vary from country to country, but anyone have experience getting
medical treatment while cruising? Specifically experience with the Canadian medical system since the wife and I have our eye on Canadian and Alaskan cruising destinations. Back in the mid 90's a friend of mine was visiting
Canada and needed treatment for a broken nose along with some stitches. At that time it was cash up front before a doctor would touch him since he was a non-canandian resident. He then spent 6 months fighting with his PPO to try and get reinbursed. I can only guess this would be the norm almost anywhere outside the U.S.
Obviously, a dozen stitches or so probably wouldn't hit the pocket book to deeply, but what if one of you came down with a hot appendix, gallbladder, kidney stone, etc, and you suddenly found yourself altering course for the nearest major foreign port. If you wound up needing surgery and a couple overnights in a hospital the tab could add up pretty quickly.
Is there is some kind of international
health insurance that covers situations such as these? And if so how does that
work? Or is this what Visa and Mastercard are for?
Brett