2emptynesters

We’re fortunate enough in the UK to be treated to medical care which provides us with free coverage the whole year round. The NHS has proven a godsend for British citizens – but as a result we’ve become somewhat spoilt when it comes to our wellbeing. The same privileges will not be extended overseas.

Today, let’s take a look at the types of costs you might expect to face overseas should a medical disaster occur. Some of them might surprise you.

1. USA

Travelling to the US will already be more expensive enough thanks to the price of flights, with the cost sometimes reaching as high as thousands of pounds. With that in mind, the last thing you’ll want is to be forking out even more on medical expenses.

Things are a little scary when it comes to costs in the US. An 18-day stay for Pneumonia in a city like Houston can result in a bill of up to a staggering £615,810 (AUD800,000). Unsurprisingly, insurance is nothing short of a must.

2. Germany

A one-off payment on a helicopter ambulance in the German Alps can set travellers back as much as £92,371 (AUD120,000). That mind-boggling figure is made all the more incredible when you consider that’s a one-off payment on a life-saving service.

The Alps will naturally play host to a number of dangerous scenarios, thanks largely to the nature of the activities which are carried out there. From skiing and snowboarding, to hiking up a cliff face, there are a number of mishaps which could occur.

3. Thailand

While the price of most things might be considerably cheaper in Thailand, the same isn’t necessarily true of their medical coverage. This is particularly true when it comes to the capital city of Bangkok.

A stay in a hospital here has the potential to rack up to a mind-boggling £38,488 (AUD50,000) across a fourteen-day period. Just as with any of these examples, you’re not going to expect the worst to happen – but it can. Imagine heading off for a lovely Asian-adventure, only to wind up in hospital for two weeks, with a killer bill at the end of it.

4. Ghana

Things are admittedly a little less harrowing in Ghana than the majority of places we’ve covered. It’ll cost just £6,158 to stay in hospital for Malaria here – a disease which is alarmingly prevalent across the majority of Africa. While steps are being taken to fight the outbreak of the disease, it will be hard to ever fully tackle the issue.

If you’re travelling to any of these countries, make sure to bear that in the mind for the future. It’s always worth getting yourself travel insurance whenever you go on your travels – and with this you can see why.

Collaborative post with TINZ.