Medical emergencies can happen to anyone, including people who are normally in good health. Making sure that you’re prepared for one can help keep the situation under control. You can also take steps to ensure that you don’t suffer any serious financial consequences from unexpected medical expenses.
Financial Matters
Begin setting aside at least a little bit of money on a regular basis. Keep it in a savings account that you will only use for medical emergencies. Make sure you know what your health insurance plan covers, so that you’ll have an idea of how much you will owe for a hospital or emergency room visit. If you can’t afford to save up money ahead of time, then look into a personal loan to cover your medical expenses. You might also want to consider a loan if you have outstanding medical bills that you’re having trouble paying. This can help you avoid being turned away for assistance when you owe money to a doctor or dentist’s office. Compare rates for different loans and make sure you understand the rules associated with each one before filling out an application.
First Aid
Always have a first aid kit handy in case of a medical emergency. You can find a variety of these in drugstores. Keep one in your home and a travel-sized one in your car at all times. A basic kit should contain the following:
1. Adhesive bandages
2. Alcohol pads
3. Antibiotic ointment
4. Sterile gauze
5. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
6. Adhesive tape
7. Scissors
8. Cold packs
9. Latex gloves
10. Tweezers
If you have a first aid kit already, check the dates on the pain relievers and ointment to make sure they haven’t expired. If they have expired, replace them as soon as possible. Also replace any other items that you’re running low on.
Sign up for a first aid class offered by your local Red Cross. You’ll learn the right techniques for handling medical emergencies. You’ll also know what to avoid doing in these situations.
Personal Information
Have your health insurance card with you in case of an emergency when you leave home. You should also carry a card that lists any medications you take, any chronic conditions or allergies you have and the names of your regular doctor and any specialists you see. You can indicate which hospital you prefer being treated at, although you might be taken to whichever one is closest if you have a life-threatening emergency.
CPR Certification
Consider taking a class to become certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. Check your local Red Cross for upcoming classes. Knowing CPR can help you save a loved one’s life if a medical emergency, such as sudden cardiac arrest, occurs. If you’ve taken one of these classes in the past, you can update your certification to make sure you remember what to do in an emergency.
Preparing for a medical emergency takes a bit of planning, but it’s well worth the effort. Doing so could save your life or the life of a loved one. Since medical emergencies don’t give you a lot of time to react, having everything in place makes it much easier for others to help you or for you to remain calm when helping someone else.
Guest author – Annie Foy is a freelance blogger and is writing on behalf of paydayloansonline.com.
Image Courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net
Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
RSS
I find it helpful that you suggested that a person should have a first-aid kit that includes bandages, gauze, scissors, and tweezers in order to be prepared for a medical emergency. Aside from that, a family heading out on a vacation together should also locate the nearest medical service they can send their relative to if, for example, they drown while swimming or get food poisoning. Doing this will increase their chances of survival and let everyone come home still alive.