Travel News

Medical Care in China: What to Expect
By Frank Gillingham, M.D.

Half a world from home and with chronic health conditions, a traveler to the Summer Olympic games in Bejing will wonder if good medical care is available. In fact, any visitor may seek competent care in case of an accident, contraction of an infectious disease or reaction to local air, food and water. With the prevalence of traditional, herbal medicine in China, the wary Westerner could easily encounter treatment that is not recognizable as “modern” medicine.

Travelers should consider the following questions when visiting a developing country: What happens in an emergency? Where are the best doctors? Which hospitals provide the best care? How do I find a pharmacy, and are their medications reliable? What should I expect to pay for medical services and drugs?

10 Chinese Etiquette Tips

For years, it was the great unmentionable in the travel transaction: insurance. Travel agents were afraid to bring up the subject of travel insurance for fear of losing the overall deal. It was considered a negative.

Not anymore. Whether it's your trip, your possessions, your luggage, or your health, travel insurance — and most important, the right kind of travel insurance — has become an essential item to pack for smart travelers. And if you don't buy travel insurance — or the right kind — more than your trip could be ruined.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, about 30 percent of Americans purchase travel insurance, an increase from 10 percent before 9/11. The top three reasons are: peace of mind, protection against the unexpected and concern over losing the financial investment in a trip. Some 70 percent of cruisers buy travel insurance.

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