Do you plan to travel for the upcoming holidays? The holidays cause an increase in all types of travel as families make plans to spend time together. These trips often require a lot of planning, including airfare, transportation, and lodging. Vacation time may even need to be requested. One plan that many travelers tend to overlook, however, is emergency medical care planning.

Bring all of your medical records
It doesn?t matter if you are traveling to another country, or just traveling to the next city over, it is best to bring all of your medical records with you. If you experience a medical emergency, your emergency physician will want to know your history. When you are in the middle of an emergency, it can be difficult to remember everything of importance. Create a list of medications that you take before leaving and carefully organize all of your medical records into a secure envelope.

Create a list of local medical facilities
You also do not want to be stuck in a city needing medical care, but not knowing where to go. It can be useful to create a list of local emergency rooms and family walk in clinics ahead of time. Make sure you research these medical care facilities ahead of time and know which ones provide immediate care, and which ones require an appointment. In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 6800 urgent care centers, most of which are located in freestanding buildings. An urgent care setting that also offers medical tests is a good option.

Bring your insurance cards
It is also important to remember to bring your insurance cards. If you experience a medical emergency, you can quickly call the number on your card and receive information as to which locations and medical tests are covered in your area. You don?t want to be stuck with a large bill because you didn?t have time to see which urgent care centers were covered under your insurance premium. Additionally, always choose an urgent care when your medical care does not warrant a visit to the emergency department. The typical emergency department visit costs an average of $1,500, while treatment at an urgent care center costs, on average, under $150.

Have your pediatricians number stored
Traveling with an infant can be very overwhelming. This is especially true if your infant has any medical concerns. You have probably become used to your current pediatrician, so it is a good idea to have their number stored. If you require pediatric care during your vacation, your current pediatrician can discuss the medical care with your on site physician and can also send over any medical tests, if needed. An estimated three million patients visit an urgent care center each week in the U.S. A good number of these visits are parents that are concerned about their infant.

Bring your prescriptions with you
If you require any prescription refills during your trip, you might find it more difficult to fill than at home. It can be useful to have the physical prescription with you. The pharmacist you are using is less likely to question the authenticity of the prescription if they have the actual paper in front of them. It can also be helpful to provide them with your prescribing physician?s number, in case they have any further questions. Although you do not need to bring medical tests with you, the results of them can also be helpful in refilling prescriptions.

Traveling can be exciting and entertaining. However, it can also be overwhelming and troubling, if you experience any medical concerns while on your trip. You are in a new area where you are not familiar with the physicians or local medical care. While you are planning other aspects of your trip, make sure you also research the local medical care facilities, always bring your medical records and insurance cards with you, and utilize the advantages of urgent care centers