Take your SCAN membership card.	It has information you need anytime you get medical care. You must show your SCAN card to all providers.
Take a list of your medicines and allergies with you.	This list is important to have if you get sick or injured. A non-SCAN provider may need it to best check and treat any problem. A list makes it quick and easy.
Refill prescription medicine.	You need a supply to last the whole trip. Extra medicine is a good idea in case of delays. You can get a 90-day supply from the SCAN mail-order pharmacy. Many local network pharmacies also offer the 90-day choice. If you need more than a 90-day supply, please call SCAN Member Services for help.
Pack medicines in carry-on bags.	If your checked bags get lost or delayed you will be prepared.
Leave all medication in original, labeled containers.	This will help avoid problems at security checkpoints.
Discuss travel plans with your primary doctor.	If you were in the hospital recently or are seeing a health care provider often (doctor, physical therapist, chemo, etc.), discuss your plans with them. They can advise if it is safe for you to travel. Also, will changes in food, humidity, air quality or altitude affect your health or abilities? If you are going out of the US, ask your doctor if you need any special shots or medicine. Please note that SCAN does not cover exams or shots for travel.
Make appointments for routine, non-urgent care before you leave or after you return.	Check all equipment to make sure it works well before you go (hearing aid, pacemaker, glucometer, walker, etc.). When you are out of SCAN Service Areas routine care and equipment are not covered. Already approved services (such as oxygen, routine blood tests, chemo, and/or non-emergency surgery) are not covered outside the service area unless specially authorized and arranged by your primary doctor or Medical Group.
If you are on oxygen: Talk about your plans with your Respiratory Therapist. Tell the airline about your oxygen requirements before buying a ticket. Set up the right oxygen supplies for your traveling needs. Order oxygen equipment and supplies for your destination.	The FAA limits the types of oxygen equipment allowed on planes. You must also carry specific papers from a doctor about your oxygen needs. Oxygen equipment and supplies are limited. It is available only through SCAN providers in the network you select (unless it is an emergency or for an urgently needed case). Services that were already approved in the network (such as oxygen) are not covered outside the service area unless previously authorized and arranged for by your primary doctor or Medical Group.
If you are on dialysis: Discuss your plan with your Dialysis Nurse and doctor. Ask your usual dialysis center to help set up dialysis where you will visit.	Out-of-area kidney dialysis services do not require authorization. But setting it up before you arrive will help you get timely care. If possible, please let us know where you are going before you leave the SCAN service area. We can help set up dialysis.
If you plan to be away from home for more than two weeks, please contact SCAN Member Services. Give us a way to reach you.	We can note a temporary address. We will tell you if the place you are going is in our service area. If you must get care from non-SCAN providers while away, neither Medicare nor SCAN will pay for these services. The exceptions are: Urgently needed care Care for a medical emergency Kidney dialysis services Care scanscanscan approves
Plan travel activities with your fitness and mobility in mind.	Travel can be demanding on the body. Changes in food or activity can worsen existing health problems. Be careful lifting or carrying heavy or bulky bags.
For travel outside the U.S., find out about the emergency care and customs in the places you will visit.	The 9-1-1 system is not everywhere. Before you leave, find out what to do in case of emergency. Also, take contact details for U.S. Embassies and Consulates. They can assist in locating medical services abroad. They keep lists of doctors and medical centers for American travelers needing medical care.
Consider travel health insurance.	If you think you might need health coverage beyond SCAN benefits, check if short-term travel insurance with health coverage would meet your needs.

To learn what SCAN benefits cover while you travel click here.