Case Study: Effective Management of a Pediatric Emergency Abroad

September 17, 2024

It’s a parent’s worst-case scenario: While on a family vacation in Southeast Asia, a young child developed severe symptoms that did not respond to home remedies or over-the-counter medications. As the parents grappled with dealing with a sick child and an unfamiliar medical system, they were able to lean on expert support thanks to their SafeTrip plan from UnitedHealthcare Global.

Situation

The child had a high fever, and their symptoms worsened despite initial treatments. The parents decided to seek professional medical help and had their child admitted to a local hospital. The family’s domestic U.S. insurance did not cover medical care abroad, however, their SafeTrip plan provided the necessary international coverage.

Action

The UnitedHealthcare Global Emergency Response Center (ERC) was notified of the hospital admission, and the clinical team quickly undertook an assessment of the child’s situation and care. In order to assist the parents in decision-making, the local medical facilities and health care standards in the region were analyzed to determine if an evacuation was necessary. The clinical team also received detailed clinical updates and medical records from the child’s hospital, which revealed that the child was suffering from respiratory inflammation while tests for common local diseases like dengue and malaria were negative.

Upon reviewing the case, the UnitedHealthcare Global clinical team determined the treating facility was equipped to provide the appropriate level of care for the child's condition — an affirmation that was important to the child’s understandably concerned parents.

Additionally, the parents received support when the hospital requested payment in advance. The Emergency Response Center (ERC) facilitated a guarantee of payment, which ensured that there were no delays in both the child's treatment and the discharge process.

Outcome

The child responded well to the hospital’s treatment and was scheduled for a follow-up appointment to ensure a complete recovery. After being discharged, the child was well enough to allow the family to safely continue their vacation.

Conclusion

The importance of having international travel health insurance can’t be underestimated, particularly for families traveling with children. Coverage such as SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus or SafeTrip International Travel Medical may help reduce the risks and challenges associated with medical emergencies abroad. The UnitedHealthcare Global team’s prompt actions ensured that the child received timely and appropriate medical care, without delay due to pre-payment or the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses. The 24/7 coordinated response system also provided clinical expertise, direct communication with health care providers, and financial coordination, making an unexpected overseas medical crisis much easier, allowing the family to focus on the most important aspect of the crisis: the child’s wellbeing.