Planning Ahead for Medical Needs
Medication planning should start well before packing day, especially if you use treatments that require refrigeration, needles, infusion supplies, or careful timing.
“Keep your medication supplies and all your important medical documents with you, in your carry-on luggage or personal item,” says Thacker.
It’s also a good idea to keep medications in their original containers with prescription labels and to tell security staff if you have medications or supplies that need screening. Medically necessary liquids, gels, freezer packs, IV bags, pumps, and syringes can generally go through TSA screening in U.S. airports, but they must be declared and screened.
A physician letter can make travel smoother, especially if you are carrying liquid medications, needles, other sharps, or medical equipment, or if you will go through customs.
“I typically recommend a brief physician letter describing the patient’s diagnosis, the medications they need, and any emergency management guidance your doctor would want to offer,” says Thacker.
That letter can also help if you need medical care while away. A clinician who is seeing you or your child for the first time may not know the details of your immune condition, current medications, or emergency plan.
If you receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IVIg or SCIg) or another treatment that is difficult to transport, ask your care team whether your schedule can be adjusted. “In some cases, your doctor may shift dosing or temporarily change how treatment is given so that you do not have to travel with the medication,” says Thacker.
If you do need to bring medications or medical supplies, don’t leave them in a hot car, and make sure there is an appropriate place to store them where you are staying, such as air-conditioning or a refrigerator if needed. If you use sharps, bring a sturdy empty plastic container, such as a thick peanut butter or mayonnaise jar, for temporary sharps disposal.
Emergency planning is not pessimistic: It’s one more way to make the trip less stressful.
“No one’s ever going to fault a parent for being overprepared,” says Thacker.
Before you go, look online or make some phone calls to find out the closest appropriate hospital or care center near your destination and how long it takes to get there, especially if you are traveling with a child with PI, he says.
Other preplanning and paperwork tips include:
Bring key medical and insurance information. Carry your insurance card, a medication list with doses, emergency contact information, healthcare provider contact information, and an “I Am Immunocompromised” card.
Check your coverage before you go. If you’re traveling out of state or outside the United States, find out whether your health insurance covers medical care at your destination.
Consider extra travel coverage. Travel health insurance or emergency evacuation coverage may be worth considering, especially if you’re going somewhere remote.
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