Sicily and Malta medical services

Sicily has a population in excess of 5 million--- presumably there are med facilities.

Malta has a population of 400k+--- Spokane WA has about 220k If you were going to Spokane would you ask if they have med facilities?

Hope you stay well. You are not visiting a remote jungle or 3rd world country.

You would certainly not be denied Emergency Services, but in your case I would have a good understanding of what your insurance would cover in Europe and what documentation you would need in the event of a claim, and seriously consider some type of additional travel medical insurance including evacuation coverage.

I know Italy, and probably Malta have National Insurance, so as a non-citizen you would incur some liability, except for maybe cursory emergency services, but medical costs in general are much, much lower than in the US for equal or maybe even better care.

Depending on your age/insurance, I would always purchase additional health insurance coverage if possible before traveling. Hopefully, you won't need it, but it's one way to make sure you do not need to spend unwanted extra $$. If you think that medical conditions may be an issue, look at medical evac insurance as well. It is the MOST expensive thing I can think of if you're an American traveling abroad.

Make sure you have travelers’ health insurance as Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas.

Lynn,

According to the U.S. Government travel advisory pages for Malta....

Medical care is available from private and government clinics and hospitals. The quality of medical care in Malta is at U.S. standards; however, customer service standards are lower, there are cultural differences with regard to communication, and there may be long waiting times for non-urgent medical care. Medical specialists are few. Private hospitals generally offer better customer service, shorter wait times, and more amenities. Mater Dei is Malta’s main government hospital. Though it offers full service, including a modern emergency room and trauma facilities, it can be crowded and difficult to navigate.The U.S. Government does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most overseas care providers only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Government of Malta and its Medicines Authority to ensure the medication is legal in Malta. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sicily should be much the same as other parts of Italy with good hospital facilities, especially in larger cities.

Given your health history, travel insurance which includes evacuation might be prudent. You could have a look at https://medjetassist.com/