MAKE EXAMINATION APPOINTMENTS

The employee and all dependents must receive medical clearance prior to proceeding to post. Medical clearance examinations for adults and children over 6 are given in the Office of Medical Services (Room L-201, SA-1, Columbia Plaza) and require at least three days for completion. The first day is for laboratory testing, with the actual examination two days later, to allow time for completion of laboratory tests. Appointments are required and should be made as far in advance as possible. Authorizations are provided for examinations of children under 6 and should be scheduled with a private pediatrician or family practitioner. Be sure you have the medical clearance of everyone in your family before you leave for post. Finding out clearance status is the employee's responsibility. Failure to obtain proper medical clearance disqualifies a person from participating in the Department's Medical Program, including medical evacuation coverage and health unit access at post.

It often is difficult to obtain quality dental care overseas. All family members should have a preventive dental check up and cleaning before departure, and yearly during R&R or while on home leave.

The general phone number for the US Department of State, Office of Medical Services is (202) 663-1779.

SCHEDULE IMMUNIZATIONS

Required and recommended immunizations for overseas travel can be obtained in the examination clinic of the Office of Medical Services located at Columbia Plaza. Immunizations can also be obtained at the clinics at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center and at SA-44 (employees only, not family members). Be sure to allow time for spacing the immunizations, as a complete initial immunization series may require about 4 weeks. At the discretion of their parents, children may receive recommended immunizations for travel as well as routine childhood immunizations from their family physician or pediatrician. Adults may also obtain their immunizations at other US Government facilities, or, if necessary, from private physicians. In such cases a letter of authorization from MED is required. This authorization will not cover routine childhood immunizations, which are the responsibility of the parent(s). Yellow fever immunization usually is administered only at public health facilities, military facilities, or special travelers' immunization clinics.

OVERSEAS HEALTH COVERAGE

Medical Insurance

Make sure you have adequate medical insurance for you and your family. The primary coverage for overseas hospitalizations is provided by one's medical insurance. Once one's insurance has paid, the State Department will pay any uncovered charges for overseas hospitalizations. Overseas hospitalizations are not covered by the Department for those persons at post without medical insurance. The State Department's medical program does not pay for outpatient medical or dental care. Also, it does not cover medical problems which arise on home leave or while assigned to the United States. Furthermore, the State Department medical program does not cover relatives or friends visiting you at post. Relatives and friends should obtain health and evacuation insurance before traveling overseas. E-mail OBC for a list of providers. Please note that Medicare does not pay for overseas medical care.

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