Before you leave on a trip, you probably check your itinerary, whether you locked the front door, and whether you packed your toothbrush. But you may overlook an important consideration before long-distance travel—are there medical documents to travel with, and which ones are the most important?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a comprehensive list of things to pack for international travel, including medical documents to travel with. Many of the items on the list also apply to long-distance domestic travel or any time you'll be away from home for an extended period.
In addition to the CDC’s list, here are recommendations from the SentinelMED team for medical documents to bring when traveling.
Insurance cards, including supplemental or travel medical insurance. Pack printed copies of these documents in your wallet or carry-on bag. You want to be able to access them quickly if you have a medical emergency.
List of all prescriptions. This should include medicines as well as medical supplies. If you will be away for an extended time, consider packing your prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses if you wear them, in case they get lost or broken.
List of medical conditions and allergies. Carry a list in your purse or wallet of any medical condition that requires ongoing monitoring and treatment. Be sure to include any known allergies, including to insects, plants, food, and seasonal allergies. In an emergency, access to such information can inform your treatment, especially if you are unable to communicate with your medical provider.
If you are traveling to a country where English is not the first language, consider getting your medical information translated before you leave. You may also want to purchase and wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace, even if you only wear it while traveling.
Contact information for health care providers and a pharmacy at home. Gathering this information takes only a few minutes and can help if there are questions about previous medical care, medical devices, or prescription dosages.
Emergency contact information. Put this in an easy-to-find place in your wallet or purse. It should include phone numbers and e-mail addresses of family members or other people who know your medical background and should be contacted after an emergency.
Letters from physicians. Carry documents or letters of medical necessity if you have medical devices like a pacemaker that may require alternative security screening at an airport. You also may need a doctor’s note for travel if you take medicines that may not be allowed outside the United States.
Medical records to travel with: Paper or digital?
Accessing your medical documentation through apps is convenient and means keeping up with less when traveling. But if your phone gets broken or lost, or you are unable to communicate with emergency medical providers, paper copies will be important. When in doubt, bring both printed and digital records for prescriptions and insurance information.
About SentinelMED
SentinelMED is an experienced provider of domestic and international medical transport, evacuation, and repatriation services. Depending on a patient’s needs, we can arrange for a trained medical professional to travel with a patient as a medical escort. In many cases, the assistance of a medical escort can allow a patient to travel on a commercial airline, a cost-effective alternative to transport by air ambulance.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
