Vacation abroad: ADAC warns of expensive treatments and cost traps!

Vacation abroad: ADAC warns of expensive treatments and cost traps!

Anyone who falls ill abroad is often confronted with high treatment costs. In recent years, prices for medical treatment, particularly from hotel doctors and private clinics, have risen sharply. The ADAC warns of these financial traps that travelers can face without the right insurance. Patients are often forced to pay bills directly at the holiday destination and are often stuck with the costs, which are exorbitantly high in some countries.

These countries include Egypt, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. In Egypt alone, treatment costs increased by 26.4%, while Turkey increased by 11% and the United Arab Emirates by 23.1%. The ADAC board member, Sascha Petzold, emphasizes that doctors often take advantage of patients' plight, which is reflected in overpriced bills.

Examples of high treatment costs

The extreme costs of medical treatment abroad can be seen in several frightening examples: treatment for a laceration in the USA cost more than 13,700 euros and the costs for an arm fracture there totaled 17,460 euros. Even in Canada the prices are not unreasonable – treatment for a hand fracture was around 13,500 euros.

In Egypt, treatments with infusions in Hurghada cost 3,850 euros, while an elbow fracture cost 21,650 euros due to supposedly unnecessary treatments. These high bills are not only a horror scenario, but also a reason for taking out health insurance abroad.

Why international health insurance is necessary

International health insurance is essential for traveling abroad, as statutory health insurance only applies in EU countries and a few other countries. Many travelers are not aware that in countries like Thailand, Egypt or the USA they usually have to cover all costs themselves. The ADAC informs that no one can expect to be able to rely on the support of statutory health insurance in the event of illness abroad.

Foreign health insurance that was taken out before December 9, 2019 covers medically necessary treatment in the first 45 days of the trip. If treatment lasts longer than 63 days during a hospital stay, the ADAC will organize transport back to a German clinic. However, this does not apply to cases that could be treated in Germany. An insured event occurs when medically necessary treatment is required abroad.

If taken out correctly, international health insurance offers comprehensive benefits that are worth the money. They are valid worldwide, except in Germany and in the country of residence of the insured person. So that travelers can protect themselves from high costs, it is advisable to obtain thorough information in advance and take out the necessary insurance.

Further information about international health insurance can be found on the website ADAC or by phone at 089/76 76 66 32. It is important to familiarize yourself with the conditions in advance so that you can travel without worry, even if you are ill.