Mobile Pediatricians: Just What the Doctor Ordered for Traveling Families

Children are so unpredictable. One minute they are playing and having a great time, and the next thing you know, they are congested, lacking energy or complaining about a sore throat.

When it comes to children, being proactive about their health is the key to keeping them healthy. Ensuring that they eat at least one good meal a day, even it it's macaroni and cheese with hidden broccoli, giving them a multivitamin and trekking to the doctor for those well child visits, prove to be most effective.

All this talk about Swine Flu and the H1N1 Virus, makes it even more important to do a little something every day to ensure your child's immune system is given the boost it needs to ward off colds and fight germs.

But what can you do when you are traveling and your child suddenly becomes ill?

Believe it or not, there are doctors who make house calls. They will come to your hotel, while you are on vacation to check things out.

Have you ever considered going this route?

If not, let's explore how you, the parent, could ever go about finding a pediatrician while on the road. As a parent, it can be a little unnerving to put your child's care into the hands of someone you just met five minutes ago, especially if you have a great relationship with your pediatrician back home. Here are a few things to know, before you go on vacation or take that trip with your little one.

If you are planning to travel to another country, speak with your child's pediatrician at least six months in advance, if possible, to discuss which vaccines your child may need to protect his health while in that country. The more leeway you have, the better. Sometimes, there is a two or three month gap between the series of vaccines.

Before you go...

1. Three weeks before your departure, contact the hotel or resort, and ask them about local pediatricians in the area. Contact the pediatricians and ask whether they are willing to come to your hotel, if needed.

2. Call your insurance carrier and ask for assistance. Explain that you will be away and want to have a list of pediatricians in the area you will be visiting.

3. Find out if your insurance will cover the cost of a doctor's visit out of state or in another country.

4. If your insurance doesn't cover this expense, try and get a ballpark estimate of the out of pocket expense, should you need a mobile doctor.

5. Ask your insurance about local pharmacies in your network, in case you need a prescription filled.

Having the ability to plan, in advance, is always a luxury. If you have to travel at the last minute with your family, you can always call 911 or visit the emergency room at the nearest hospital should a health issue arise.

Great Resource Sites:
The American Academy of Home Care Physicians
www.aahcp.org

Mobile Doctors Directory
www.mobiledoctors.com

Web MD
www.webmd.com