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New Service Connects You to Doctors When Traveling the World

April 30, 2017
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4 min read
FRANCE-MEDECINE
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Update: TPG readers can now receive a 10-20% discount on the weekly, monthly, or annual Doctor In Your Pocket plans.

There are few things more frustrating, irritating and terrifying than becoming sick while traveling. Whether you're only on the other side of the United States, or in a third-world country with non-English speakers, finding access to competent medical care can be a challenge. The recently launched Doctor in Your Pocket service gives you the ability to be connected to doctors almost anywhere you travel in the world. Founder Dr. Marcel Muenster, a John Hopkins-trained physician, reached out to the TPG team, and we decided to take his new service for a test run.

Doctor In Your Pocket

In exchange for paying for either a 7-day ($4.45), monthly ($16.95) or annual subscription ($41.45), the website allows you the ability to search for doctors in the vetted provider network and schedule appointments either in the doctor's office, in your home or vacation residence or virtually.

The most impressive thing I saw about the service is that the Doctor in Your Pocket team meets with each doctor placed in its network in order to verify who it's referring customers to. According the map of providers on the website, there are still quite a few holes to fill, but regardless of where you're located you can always schedule a virtual appointment to speak with a doctor over text or video chat.

Current locations of all the vetted Doctor in Your Pocket physicians.

You can request a doctor who speaks any of 45 languages and choose from one of 14 specialists including dentists if you know the nature of your medical condition. Or, request a general practitioner if you aren't sure what's wrong.

Current list of specialists you can contact while traveling.

Testing The Service

I put the site through a few paces, searching for all sorts of specialists in different countries to see what results were populated. I found a few trends after searching several countries:

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  • Even if a location is listed as being serviced, that may mean it only has virtual doctors available. I'd imagine they would often tell you to try and find a doctor where you are located if any symptoms are cause for concern. You'd then be essentially in the same position you were before. I found these results when I searched Belize and Vietnam and then many other searches based on my own upcoming trips.
  • Many locations have a service named "House Call Service" appear as the only result — this looks like a third-party service that has its own network of providers. You're given a phone number to call to a doctor's office, but no name. You can also send a message to request that a doctor give you a call, though I'd imagine that wouldn't be much assurance if you're waiting and wondering if the doctor got your message and when they would call.
  • There are quite a few locations with physically located doctors, their contact info and office address, and even past reviews from patients.
  • There are several international cities with doctors physically located in the city. This would be tremendously helpful in places like Ghana, Accra and Dubai where the the Doctor in Your Pocket network is extensive.
  • Many doctors listed as having virtual appointments have very limited hours available, often only a few hours a week.
It seems most doctors only have limited hours available when listed for virtual service.

Once you find a doctor, you can schedule an appointment over the phone directly with the doctor's office, or request the doctor contact you via text, phone call or video chat. Google maps is also integrated into the site so it can give directions to the doctor's office.

Bottom Line

For many travelers, it's an easy decision to spend $10 for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have an avenue — either virtual or in person — to a doctor when you're abroad. You're still responsible for paying for any services rendered by the doctor; the subscription fee is only for getting you in contact with a doctor. If you have any questions, a 24/7 online concierge for Doctor in Your Pocket is available to help.

What precautions do you take for medical emergencies before traveling?

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.