As the holiday season approaches, the Manx public is being urged to consider the cost of healthcare when on holiday or travelling outside the Island.

The Department of Health and Social Security says people must make the necessary arrangements before they leave.

Kate Skinner reports:

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The DHSS is party to a number of reciprocal health agreements, but these only guarantee healthcare will be provided, at worst, for emergency treatment only, or at best, on the same basis as residents of the country visited.

If a Manx resident visits a country where there's no bilateral agreement in place, healthcare will only be provided on the basis it's paid for in full by the patient, often prior to treatment being carried out.

Therefore, if you're planning to travel off-Island, the department strongly advises you to take out comprehensive health insurance, so the cost of treatment can be reclaimed.

For more information, including a list of reciprocal agreement countries, visit the DHSS' website at www.gov.im/dhss and follow the links for off-Island travel advice.