Plan Ahead-Don’t Wait Until You’re Out of Pills
Running out of medication while you’re halfway across the world isn’t just inconvenient-it’s dangerous. If you take pills for high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid issues, or mental health conditions, missing even a few doses can land you in the hospital. The medication refills you need before you leave aren’t something to figure out at the last minute. Start 30 days before your trip. That’s not advice-it’s a rule backed by data from the CDC and major pharmacy chains. Most people who have medication emergencies while traveling didn’t plan early enough.
Call Your Pharmacy First-Ask for a Vacation Override
Most U.S. insurance plans let you refill prescriptions early if you’re traveling. This is called a "vacation override." As of 2023, 92% of major insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Blue Cross allow it. But you have to ask. Don’t assume they’ll automatically give you extra pills.
Call your pharmacy and say: "I’m traveling for six weeks and need to refill my prescription early. Can you process a vacation override?" Be ready to give them your travel dates and destination. Some insurers require a note from your doctor. Others just need your word. CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid all have systems in place for this. In 2023, CVS MinuteClinic renewed prescriptions for 79% of travelers who asked-once per year, no doctor visit needed.
Get a 90-Day Supply If You Can
If your doctor agrees, ask for a 90-day supply instead of 30. It cuts your refill needs by two-thirds. Kaiser Permanente studied 45,000 travelers and found those with 90-day supplies had 67% fewer refill-related stress points. Most insurance plans allow this for maintenance meds like blood pressure or cholesterol drugs.
But here’s the catch: You can’t always get a 90-day supply for controlled substances. In 48 states, pharmacy boards enforce a "28-day rule"-you can’t refill an opioid or ADHD medication until 28 days after the last fill, even if you’re leaving town. Talk to your doctor about alternatives if you’re on these drugs. Sometimes switching to a non-controlled version (like extended-release stimulants) makes travel easier.
Bring Extra-And Split It Up
Never pack all your pills in one bag. Dr. Jennifer Schaefer from the American Pharmacists Association says it plainly: "Take your medication in two separate containers that you keep in two separate places." Put half in your carry-on, half in your checked luggage. If your bag gets lost, you still have pills.
Keep your original prescription bottles with you. Even if you transfer pills to a pill organizer, keep the original labels. Airlines and customs agents need to see the pharmacy name, your name, and the doctor’s info. TSA allows medically necessary liquids over 3.4 ounces if you declare them at security. In 2023, 98% of U.S. airports accepted this without issue.
International Travel? Check the Rules Before You Go
What’s legal in Toronto might be banned in Bangkok. The International Air Transport Association says 78 countries require a doctor’s letter and a copy of your prescription. Some limit how much you can bring. Thailand caps opioids at 30 days’ supply. Japan bans many ADHD meds. Australia requires pre-approval for certain antidepressants.
Go to the embassy website of every country you’re visiting-including layovers. Search for "medication import rules" or "drug restrictions." Print the page. Bring a letter from your doctor on official letterhead that lists your medications, dosage, and why you need them. Notarize it if you can. Some countries won’t let you in without it.
And never rely on buying meds abroad. A 2023 CDC survey found only 29% of travelers could get their exact prescription overseas. Generic versions might not work the same. Counterfeit drugs are common in some regions. Don’t risk it.
Know Your Emergency Options
What if you lose your pills? Or they get stolen? In the U.S., "Kevin’s Law" lets pharmacists give you a 72-hour emergency supply if you’ve used 75% of your last refill. That’s federal law. Call your pharmacy chain first-they’ll know the process.
If you’re overseas and stuck, try a local pharmacy with your original bottles and doctor’s letter. Some countries will fill it. If not, contact your country’s embassy. They can help you find a local doctor who can write a new prescription. Telehealth services like Teladoc and Amwell also help travelers. In 2022, they issued over 1.2 million emergency prescriptions to people abroad.
Time Zones? Stick to Your Home Schedule at First
Don’t try to adjust your pill schedule right away. If you’re flying from Toronto to Tokyo, your body doesn’t switch time zones instantly. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says: Take your meds at your home time zone’s normal time for the first 24 to 48 hours after arrival. Then slowly shift to local time.
For example: If you take your pill at 8 a.m. Toronto time, and you land in Tokyo at 10 p.m. local time (same day), take your pill at 8 a.m. Tokyo time (which is 7 p.m. Toronto time). Wait until the next day to switch to your new schedule. This prevents missed doses and reduces side effects.
Use Tech-But Don’t Rely on It Alone
Apps like Medisafe, MyTherapy, or even your pharmacy’s mobile app can send you reminders. UnitedHealthcare’s app now lets you verify prescriptions digitally. But don’t just trust your phone. Set alarms, use a paper calendar, and keep a printed list of your meds, dosages, and times.
Also, save your pharmacy’s phone number, your doctor’s contact, and your insurance member services line in your phone. Add them as emergency contacts labeled "Medication Support." If you lose your phone, someone else can call for you.
What to Do If Your Insurance Denies a Refill
Some insurers still say no to vacation overrides-even though 92% of them allow it. If you get denied, ask to speak to a supervisor. Mention "Kevin’s Law" and the 2021 Traveler’s Access to Medication Act. Ask if they can override it as a one-time exception.
If they still refuse, go to a CVS MinuteClinic or urgent care center. They can often write a new 30-day prescription for maintenance meds without seeing your original doctor. Bring your old prescription bottle and insurance card. In 2023, 79% of people who did this got their meds without a doctor’s appointment.
Keep a Medication List-Everywhere
Write down every medication you take: name, dose, frequency, reason, and prescribing doctor. Put it in your wallet, your phone, and email it to a trusted person. If you have an emergency, paramedics or doctors need this fast. Don’t rely on memory.
Final Checklist Before You Leave
- Call your pharmacy 30 days before departure
- Ask for a vacation override or 90-day supply
- Split meds between carry-on and checked luggage
- Bring original prescription bottles and doctor’s letter
- Check embassy websites for medication rules in each country
- Save emergency contacts: pharmacy, doctor, insurance, telehealth
- Print your medication list and carry it with you
- Set phone alarms for pill times based on home time zone
Extended travel shouldn’t mean risking your health. With a little planning, you can keep your meds on schedule no matter where you go. The systems are there-you just have to use them.