The Barcelona ophthalmology clinic that helped me
International travel offers wonderful experiences filled with encounters with new cultures and scenery, but the anxiety when struck by unexpected illness or injury is immeasurable. Particularly when falling ill in a foreign land with language barriers, it’s easy to feel lost about what to do.
I myself experienced the sudden occurrence of bleeding within the white of my eye during my stay in Barcelona. The shock of looking in the mirror that morning is unforgettable. Seeing my completely red-stained eye white, I panicked. My heart filled with fear and anxiety: “Will I go blind?” “Can I receive proper treatment in this country?” Furthermore, as someone who speaks neither Spanish nor Catalan, everything from finding a hospital to making appointments and consultations seemed like enormous barriers.
While it ultimately turned out to be nothing serious, I’d like to share the “proper process for overseas medical facility visits” that I learned from this experience. By following appropriate procedures, you should be able to handle anxious situations like mine with composure.
Travel Insurance is Essential! Why and How to Choose
First and most importantly is purchasing travel insurance. Without this, treatment costs can become enormous, and you may not receive proper treatment locally. Overseas medical costs are often surprisingly expensive compared to many home countries, particularly in places like the United States where simple procedures can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and hospitalization can result in bills of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A friend of mine received emergency appendix surgery during a stay in India, resulting in medical bills of hundreds of thousands of dollars for a 5-day hospitalization. Fortunately, having travel insurance meant almost no out-of-pocket expenses, but without insurance, it would have been an unaffordable amount.
There are various types of travel insurance. Specialized travel insurance companies often have comprehensive coverage and can be expected to provide substantial overseas support. Credit card-attached overseas travel insurance has the advantage of no additional costs as it’s included in annual fees, but coverage content and limits are often more modest compared to dedicated insurance. Travel insurance applied for with airline tickets is convenient but requires careful content verification.
In my case, I had credit card-attached insurance plus additional specialized travel insurance for enhanced coverage. This decision would prove beneficial later.
Specific Hospital Visit Process and My Experience
Confusion When Symptoms Appeared
On the morning of my third day in Barcelona, I was shocked when looking in the mirror. The white of my right eye was stained blood red. While there was no pain, I felt discomfort in my vision and was disturbed by the frightening appearance. Using the hotel Wi-Fi, I immediately searched for symptoms and found it was likely “subconjunctival hemorrhage.” While it didn’t seem life-threatening, I definitely needed to see a specialist.
However, I hit a major wall here. How do I find a hospital? How do I make appointments? Will language work? What about payment? Various anxieties came flooding in.
Contacting Insurance Company Hotline
After much deliberation, I decided to first contact the overseas hotline of my travel insurance company. At this point, I felt hesitant, wondering “Is it okay to call about something like this?” but looking back, this was the best choice.
I called the overseas hotline number listed on my insurance policy. Having Viber installed to save on international call charges was a wise choice. A representative who spoke my native language answered, first confirming personal information and current location, then asking me to describe symptoms in detail. I was asked specific questions about when symptoms began, what kind of symptoms they were, whether there was pain, etc. Finally, I provided information about my hotel stay.
Honestly, this phone conversation was really difficult while feeling unwell. While I had no pain, I was exhausted late at night, so being asked for the same explanations repeatedly made me anxious, thinking “I just want to be told about a hospital quickly.”
After about 30 minutes of communication, the operator provided information about a partner ophthalmology clinic in Barcelona. While this process was honestly time-consuming and difficult while feeling unwell, I would later realize this was a wise decision.
Partner Hospital Benefits and Actual Appointment Process
Partner hospitals introduced by insurance companies have many advantages. First, they often have English-speaking doctors or interpreter staff, so you don’t need to worry about language barriers. Insurance companies may also handle advance payment of medical costs, potentially avoiding large expenses even temporarily. You may also receive appointment support, avoiding troublesome local language communications. Most importantly, they’re experienced with overseas patients and insurance claim procedures, so smooth responses can be expected.
After receiving partner hospital contact information, the next hurdle was making an appointment. When the operator said “appointments possible via WhatsApp,” I was truly relieved. Imagining phone appointments in the local language made my stomach hurt, but WhatsApp allows sending messages in English.
I actually sent an English WhatsApp message to the introduced ophthalmology clinic. When I communicated symptoms, that I was referred by the insurance company, and preferred time slots, the clinic responded in English within 30 minutes, and I secured an appointment that same evening.
What I want to emphasize here is that such smooth responses were possible precisely because it was an insurance company partner hospital. If I had searched for hospitals in an unfamiliar country myself, language barriers might have prevented reaching appropriate medical care for days.
Actual Medical Experience – Language Barriers and Foreign Medical Culture
I nervously headed to the clinic at the appointed time. At the entrance, I presented my passport and filled out medical forms (English version available). After about 20 minutes of waiting, I was called to the examination room.
While the attending physician only spoke Catalan, a specialized medical interpreter was present and translated all conversations into English. This was incredibly helpful. The anxiety from language barriers was immediately resolved.
As an aside, I was surprised that examination methods I took for granted in my home country were different. For example, the shapes used in fundus examinations were “balloon” illustrations in my home country, but “house” pictures in Barcelona. Vision tests also involved reading various alphabets aloud rather than indicating “C” directions.
Ultimately, the doctor’s diagnosis showed it wasn’t a serious problem, which was a relief. I was prescribed appropriate eye drops and advised not to overexert myself. The entire consultation took about 40 minutes, but I was deeply grateful to receive appropriate treatment without language problems.
Medical Payment and Actual Insurance Claims
After consultation, I received payment explanations at reception. While insurance company advance payment options were available, I chose credit card payment since paperwork procedures were complex and time-consuming.
Including consultation fees, examination fees, and medication costs, the total was about 250 euros (approximately $300 at the time). I received receipts and an English medical certificate.
Without partner hospital referrals, I would likely have been required to pay cash only at small local clinics, potentially needing to prepare large amounts of cash during travel. This is another major benefit of receiving insurance company referrals.
The post-return insurance claim process was also relatively smooth. I downloaded insurance claim forms from the insurance company website and prepared necessary documents. Receipts, medical certificates, passport copies, boarding passes, etc. were required. After scanning all documents for online submission, the insurance company contacted me about two weeks later confirming application acceptance. Two weeks after that, the full medical costs were deposited into my designated account.
Summary – What I Learned from My Experience
Illness and injury during overseas travel can happen to anyone, and with appropriate preparation and response, their impact can be minimized.
To fully enjoy travel, don’t neglect preparations for emergency situations. Purchasing travel insurance and confirming emergency contacts are as important as passport preparation for travel planning. And overseas medical experiences will undoubtedly become unique memories etched in your heart later.
I hope this article will be helpful for those planning overseas travel. I wish everyone healthy and wonderful travels!
