Medical Problems in France or Belgium

Be sure that your insurance also covers emergency evacuation and repatriation, those are typically the most expensive expenses. Travel Insurance companies can give recommendations for their customers and provide translation services if needed. The Lonely Plant guidebooks has listings for tourist friendly medical facilities. Also check the websites of the US Consulates in France and Belgium, they often have listing of english speaking facilities: http://tinyurl.com/cw4hotp http://tinyurl.com/cnckpvk

Thanks, I really appreciate your input, Michael!

The American Embassy in Paris keeps a list of English speaking doctors that should be available through their website. There is an American Hospital in the suburbs of Paris. It is more French than American IME, but you can get translation services. It is more expensive than public hospitals, so make sure your insurance covers it specifically. Some insurance policies exclude it. The big advantage I found with the hospital and doctors is that you can get seen by specialists and have procedures scheduled much quicker than if you are using the public hospitals. Sometimes, the best care comes from clinics, rather than hospitals. You might want to find out what clinics have the specialty doctors he would need. Honestly, we - as well as everyone I know - avoid the hospitals if at all possible. Nothing "wrong" with them, just find better care other places.

This non-profit association http://www.iamat.org/index.cfm issues a guide to doctors around the world, asking for a donation in return. It is primarily concerned with tropical diseases but may provide some reassurance for western Europe. That said, the French medical system is famously friendly towards visitors and economical too.
When checking on health insurance pay particular attention to measures for an emergency air evacuation back home.

Also, have his 'conditions' written out, and his medications written out in the generic form! No 'Crestor' or 'Levatol'. And of course, his doctor(s) phone numbers - where s/he can be reached outside office hours, too. Do all of you have trip insurance for this trip?

Thanks everyone! Elisha