Travel letter/form

[debsays]

Bringing step-grandson with us for a 4 day visit with the mouse. Does anyone have a form letter that his parents should write i.e. medical treatment, etc. if something should happen.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Don't have a form number, but these are the things that should be on it....

Name and b-date of child
Any medical conditions child has, including any allergies (or none, if there aren't any)
Any medication (OTC or prescribed) child takes
That the child's shots are up to date (or missing shots if they are not)
Pediatrician or general doctor's number
Insurance information
Emergency contact info. for the parents

That you (or any other adults who are on the trip) have the authority to authorize any medical treatment and purchase any prescription medication. And the dates the authorization is good for (some states are really insistent on this). I'd add a couple days onto the end of the trip just to be safe.

It wouldn't hurt for it to be an inclusive authorization that also indicates that you have permission to travel with the child and have the authority to transport the child across state lines.

I'd have them provide as many signed copies as there are adults on the trip and each one of you keep a copy on you.

 

[Halle]

If the child is ill and taken to a hospital he/she will be treated with or without authorization.

 

[CajunDixie]

Check your local hospital's website or your doctors office website (if they have one). Some have a form you can print off their sites.

Here's one from our local hospital

http://www.lutheranhospital.com/interior.php?t=113

 

[CajunDixie]

If the child is ill and taken to a hospital he/she will be treated with or without authorization.

There are some things they will not do without consent.

 

[cdrn1]

It would be a good idea to have it notarized.

 

[nettekay]

If he attends a daycare center you can ask them. Most daycares have a form that is required by the state and allows for emergency medical care. They should be able to give you a blank one the can be filled out to give you permission. In most states these are notorized forms.

good luck

 

[MomToOne]

Google "Child Medical Power of Attorney".

Make sure all names on the form are in full name format (first middle last).

It should definitely be notarized.

 

[MSSANDRA]

DGS lives with us about 85% of the time but we do not have custody.
We travel with him a lot. We have a notorized letter giving us permission to make any parental decissions inculding medical if his parents are not there. We also carry his insurance card and have all other info such as his SS number, mom's info etc. We have never had to use this on a trip, thank God, but I took him to the ER once and they never questioned who I was. They never asked if I was mom, just called me mom and I did not correct them, and we had no issues. Take him to all dr visits and only once had a problem. They isisited that "mom" come to the first visit which was fine.

They however OFTEN will not treat a child in the ER without or even sometime with a parental note. In a life/death situation, yes, but a broken bone, dehydration etc, they often will not. Happened to my aunt and her grandchild!!

 

[dfchelbay]

We always got one of the parents' insurance cards to have with us, along with the letter. Then, we just return it to the parents when we got back.

 

[Dismom55]

We go to our local bank to get forms notorized for free and when taking any kid under the age 18 we have the parents sign a letter with the mentioned info, copy of insurance card and information where the parents can be reached day or night.

Rather be safe. Our insurance Co, now issues insurance cards for all ages of kids, so they have their own card and extended number.

I got medical id cards from my church, who got them from a local hospital, they fit in the plastic card holders I purchased at Walmart, they inturn have a slot so they can be fitted onto a lanyard.

First we put KTTW card in them, not only can you have medical info, but Resort info and your contact info just incase you get separated from the child. Instruct child to go to any CM in case of separation.

 

[mfd25wife]

Don't have a form number, but these are the things that should be on it....

Name and b-date of child
Any medical conditions child has, including any allergies (or none, if there aren't any)
Any medication (OTC or prescribed) child takes
That the child's shots are up to date (or missing shots if they are not)
Pediatrician or general doctor's number
Insurance information
Emergency contact info. for the parents

That you (or any other adults who are on the trip) have the authority to authorize any medical treatment and purchase any prescription medication. And the dates the authorization is good for (some states are really insistent on this). I'd add a couple days onto the end of the trip just to be safe.

It wouldn't hurt for it to be an inclusive authorization that also indicates that you have permission to travel with the child and have the authority to transport the child across state lines.

I'd have them provide as many signed copies as there are adults on the trip and each one of you keep a copy on you.

Definitely make sure permission to cross state lines is included.

We have taken one of DD's friends with us on vacation for several years. She is diabetic and her parents always sent a note saying that we could authorize any medical treatment we deemed necessary. It had her insurance information on it also.

 

[SueEllen]

You should just have a Medical Power of Attorney drawn up.

That will take care of allowing you the ability to take care of any medical issues that may arise while you are in care of your grandchild, and will be the only document you need.

 

[Zoemakes5]

I want to add, make sure it says "medical decisions" and not "emergency medical decisions". Had my cousin with us once, and she was having some medical issues, not life or death by any means, but medical issues. We weren't able to get her seen, as we weren't her parents and the medical release we had was just for "emergency medical". We were informed at that time that typically doctors and hospitals will take a child in for a "true emergency" situation without parental approval, and will stabilize the child, but nothing further. Things like ear infections, strep throat, swimmers ear, etc, are not "true emergencies".

I've had friends have issues with traveling with young children before across state lines particularly in planes. And, I've also heard about problems when you do have a medical release, but it doesn't say that you have the ability to go across state lines. I've heard the issue being that the release is only good for that state if it doesn't say otherwise.