Medical release for traveling minor? Help!

[yoopermom]

DS15 is flying to NJ tomorrow-Sunday with a 19 y.o. fellow black belt from his dojo for a tournament. I know he's allowed to fly solo, and will have his state i.d and a carryon only.

Normally, if he's not with us, he's with a grandparent, and I've always sent a medical release so they could get him treatment, if need be. On this trip I'm a little worried about whether or not he'd be treated with no relative with him, even with a medical release? Should I just rewrite my current one naming the 19 yo and the governing dojo officials as having permission to ok treatment until I can be contacted? This is a real leap of faith for me to allow him to go as it is. (I know they'll be adequately supervised, but he will be fighting and could be injured.)

Suggestions? Things to remember that I've forgotten?
TIA!
Terri

 

[laurie31]

I would rewrite it, giving the adult with him (I know he's only 19, but legally he's an adult) authority to give permission. However, if it's life or limb-threatening, they can treat without consent. You might also include a copy of his insurance card.

I hope he does well in the tournament!

 

[yoopermom]

Thanks, Laurie, I forgot to mention I was sending an insurance card with. Yes, the 19 yo knows that I'm entrusting him with my child, which is the biggest responsibility ever! Good to know that he could ok treatment, if need be.

And he needs to place in the top three in order to qualify for worlds next year, so he's a nervous wreck. (Not as much as his mom who's letting him try his "wings", sigh...)

Thanks!
Terri

 

[kimber79]

I would make sure to have the letter notorized.

Good luck to your son!

 

[barkley]

you might give a quick call to your insurance company or check their website to see if they have a downloadable form that allows you to give another the authority to contract for insurance purposes.

that way if (god forbid) medical attention was required, the adult might not have an insurance rep. on the other end of the phone line telling the hospital they don't know who the heck he/she is, but they are'nt listed as one of the contracted people for your child on the policy.

 

[yoopermom]

Off to the bank to get it notarized, thanks.

I hadn't thought of contacting the insurance for a form, Barkley, thanks, off to call them.

The DISboards knows all!

Terri

 

[Acklander]

I wasn't sure if you were aware, but they will start treating your child without permission if they aren't able to get a hold of you. When DS was about 10 he was hit in the mouth at little league practice and his coach brought him to the hospital. When we showed up (the coach called us) they had already numbed his mouth and were just starting to put the stitches in. the dr. saw us come in the room and at that time asked for permission to treat.
When I was in my teens (around 14) I started travelling by my self bus/plane and never had a medical release form with me. I always had ID, and contact info on my person, but never a medical release.

 

[Meriweather]

I just had a letter from parents when I took my 2 kids and another out of state for a karate tournament.
She did need to be treated (non karate related) and the hospital accepted that.
It has been a few years ago, so not sure how much things have changed.

 

[yoopermom]

Thank you all! I know that they'll start treating him "anyways", but I'm still apt to sit by the phone all Saturday "just in case". I've gone to lots of these events with him, and have never seen a serious injury, but never say never, right? At least we've met our deductibles for the year.

Terri

 

[princesshannahsmom]

You need to have a signed and notarized Authorization for Medical Treatment not just an Authorization for Medical Care. I know that sounds silly, but it can go into the great debate at the medical facility whether you are authorizing the adult to authorize the medical staff to "care" for your son or "treat" your son. Sounds like six of one, half a dozen of the other doesn't it? Well, take my word for it, it isn't. My DD was with her grandparents in North Florida, while my DH and I were in South Florida. I found an Authorization for Medical Care form online and had it notarized. She traveled to North Florida ALL THE TIME and never had a problem. Well, wouldn't you know DD got extremely sick (some freak infection) and had to be hospitalized. The nurse that called me about the letter informed me that they could "care" for my DD but they could not "treat" my DD. I was like this . I said whats the difference. She said, they would keep her in the hospital and she would be "kept out of the woods" but they couldn't give her antibiotics or anything of that nature without me there. Luckily, we were only 7 hours away, so I hopped in the car right then and got to her and they started "treatment". So I said all of that to say this, make sure you are authorizing the 19 year old to authorize "treatment" for your son, not just "care"

 

[yoopermom]

Wow, that whole "treatment" vs "care" thing is sure mindboggling! What a horrible experience for you to have gone through! The one I use (also borrowed off an internet site) says "consent for medical treatment" so I would hope that will be ok. It's really one of those things that should be standardized and easier to find!

Terri