Insurance number or health insurance card: what is it, and should you take it with you on a trip or while backpacking?
- What is an insurance number or health insurance card?
- What can you use an insurance number or health insurance card for when traveling and backpacking?
- When do you take an insurance number or health insurance card with you when traveling or backpacking?
- Can you get an insurance number or health insurance card locally in the world?
What is an insurance number or health insurance card?
- An insurance card is the physical or digital proof that you are insured with your health insurer or travel insurer. The card contains your name, policy number and often an emergency number.
- The insurance number is the unique code with which a care provider or agency can find you and your insurance in the system.
What can you use an insurance number or health insurance card for when traveling and backpacking?
- The insurances number demonstrates that you are insured for medical costs, accidents or luggage.
- The health insurance card helps with the rapid processing of hospital admissions or first aid.
- Your personal insurance number gives doctors or care providers direct access to your insurance details via the emergency number.
- Sometimes the health insurance card is mandatory for hospital visits or medication dispensing.
When do you take an insurance number or health insurance card with you when traveling or backpacking?
- Always take the health insurance card with you, unless you already know for sure that your health insurance will expire because you are going to work abroad or do an internship with compensation.
- Take both your basic health insurance and your travel insurance card with you, when you have both numbers/cards.
Can you get an insurance number or health insurance card locally in the world?
- The health insurance number you will receive from your insurer (physical or digital).
- When you lose your health insurance card, you can often log in to your insurer's website or app and download a new copy immediately.
- Some apps also offer an emergency pass or QR code for emergency services.
