What do I do if I lose, forget, or run out of my prescription medication on my holiday?
Need to get more prescription medication – pronto – while you’re travelling? There’s no need to worry. We can support you through this pickle and try to help you get the medication you need.
Source: Getty
Staying healthy is key to being able to travel as much as you want – at home or away.
So if your doctor prescribes you medication, it’s super important you remember to pack it (along with your travel insurance, of course). Packing several days more prescription medication than you’ll need is also a good idea in case something delays your trip home.
However, if you’re lying by the pool somewhere fabulous and realise you’ve forgotten, lost or run out of your prescription medication, our emergency assistance team can be there to help.
'Just like at home, it’s essential to take your regular medications while you’re travelling. If your prescription medication helps you get through the day or keep your body functioning as it should, we know how stressful it can be to unexpectedly be out of medication in another country.
'As soon as you realise you need to fill a prescription, give our 24/7 emergency assistance team a call so we can help. They can help you speak to a doctor virtually or in person, so you can potentially replace your medication quickly. Just like our app, they can also help you locate the nearest pharmacy that’s open and able to fill your prescription.
'Plus, they can even help with filing a claim for the prescription costs, if the reason you need more medication is claimable under cover is included in your policy. This means you can worry less and get back to enjoying your holiday.'
Neil Slabbert, Cover-More’s Regional Chief Medical Officer for APAC.
Do you need our help right now?
Our 24/7 emergency assistance team is standing by. Here are two ways you can reach us:
- Tap the assistance button in our Cover-More app.
- Call +61 2 8907 5619 from anywhere in the world.
5 steps to take if you need more prescription medication during your trip
- Call our 24/7 emergency assistance team.
- Make an in-person or virtual appointment with a doctor who speaks your language.
- Ask our emergency assistance team for help finding the nearest pharmacy (and for translation services if needed).
- Save all medical records, reports, and receipts.
- Submit a travel insurance claim for consideration for unexpected expenses.
Here’s what to do if you need to replace your prescription medication on holiday
Step 1: Call our 24/7 emergency assistance team
Uh-oh! Have you found yourself unexpectedly looking at an empty medication container on holiday? Or maybe you’ve realised you’ve left it behind, or simply can’t find your prescription medication?
First, take a deep breath. Second, call our 24/7 emergency assistance team. You can reach them anytime, anywhere by calling or using our Cover-More app. It’s one of the many perks of being a Cover-More traveller!
Our assistance team is made up of registered doctors, nurses, paramedics, and case managers who can give you prescription assistance and potentially help you get a refill.
Step 2: Make an in-person or virtual appointment with a doctor who speaks your language
Once you explain your prescription medication mishap, our emergency assistance team can help you find a doctor who speaks your language to help organise a new prescription if possible. We can help set up a virtual or in-person appointment, so you’re ready to go when you get off the phone.
Our emergency assistance team is in touch with a list of doctors all over the world. So, no matter where you need to get hold of your prescription medication, we're standing by to help.
Good to know: When you need a prescription at an unfamiliar doctor’s office, you may need to send them your medical records. This will help them understand the reasons for your prescription. There’s no need to worry about this; our emergency assistance team can help transfer your medical records to the doctor helping you while you’re travelling.
Step 3: Ask our emergency assistance team for help finding the nearest pharmacy (and for translation help if needed)
Before you have your in-person or virtual doctor’s appointment, use our app or ask our assistance team to help you locate a nearby pharmacy that’s open. Then, once you’ve spoken to the doctor, if you are able to get a refill, you can tell them where you want to get your prescription filled. Then, they can help arrange this.
Good to know: The doctor might also email it to you so you can take it into any pharmacy yourself. Unsure about speaking to a pharmacist overseas because you don't speak the local language? It’s all good – our emergency assistance team can help with translating when you’re picking up prescription medications while travelling if they don’t speak your language.
Step 4: Save all your medical records, reports, and receipts
Whether you have a virtual or in-person doctor’s appointment to get your prescription medication, remember to save the prescription and all receipts. You’ll need them when you file a claim with us for consideration.
If your appointment was virtual and organised through our assistance team, you'll receive your receipts by email (but sometimes we may cover the cost immediately, so you won’t need to faff with receipts).
Got a question about which documents you need to keep? Call our emergency assistance team – they'll be happy to help.
Step 5: Submit a travel insurance claim for consideration for unexpected expenses
If you forget, lose, or run out of your prescription medication unexpectedly and have medical costs from the refill process, we may be able to help. Just remember to file a Cover-More claim within 60 days of getting home from your holiday.
Good to know: Before you submit a claim, have a look through your policy, and its benefits and exclusions. That way, you’ll know what expenses you might be able to claim. If you need help understanding your cover, ring our customer service team on 1300 72 88 22. We’ll be happy to take you through it all.
Ready to submit your claim with all your documentation? You can file your claim online or call our claims team on 1300 36 26 44 for help.
Important: It’s unlikely your Australian health insurance or Medicare will cover the cost of refilling a prescription overseas. That's why our travel insurance cover may make a big difference. It can help cover emergency medical and dental bills too, so you can worry less about unexpected costs.
Did you know our emergency assistance team can help with more than refilling prescriptions?
Our specialists are always available to help with all sorts of holiday mishaps.
Find out how we can help with other travel situations:
- What do I do if I need to see a doctor while on holiday?
- What do I do if I need to go to the hospital on my trip away?
- What do I do if I have a vehicle accident when I'm overseas?
Access your policy in our Cover-More app now!
Here’s the easy way to keep your policy on hand. Plus, you can travel safer with security alerts, destination advice, and more when you download our Cover-More app.
Your travel insurance can help with more than medical expenses
At Cover-More, we want to protect you and your trip as much as possible. That’s why our plans offer a range of cover.
Here are some other benefits of our travel insurance:
Amendment and Cancellation Costs cover
…for if the unexpected means you need to rearrange or cancel your trip entirely.
Travel Delay cover
…for if you need to fork out for accommodation unexpectedly, because your pre-booked transport is delayed.
Luggage and Documents cover
…for if your luggage and important documents, such as your passport, are lost or stolen.
Accidental Death cover
…for if the worst should happen and you or a travel buddy on your policy pass away
Not a Cover-More traveller yet?
Lean on our emergency assistance team 24/7 during your trip with a Cover-More policy.