Interstate travel w/unrelated minor
Feb 6th, 2000 | 10:10 AM
#1
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Interstate travel w/unrelated minor
hello travelers...in a few weeks I will be traveling by air from New England to Florida, with my husband, my 13 yr old, and her 13 yr old friend. Would it be advisable to get some sort of signed statement from the friend's parent/s, identifying her and stating that she is in my care for the week? Maybe I'm being paranoid - but I don't want any glitches with increased airport security, or have a problem should she need emergency medical care or something. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? thank you
Feb 6th, 2000 | 10:33 AM
#2
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We have done this on two occasions when our sons were travelling with an aunt. We just put in writing our intent to grant temporary custody for the period of the vacation, and to give her authority to seek emergency medical care. We signed and dated the letter, and gave her a copy of our insurance cards too. Fortunately, she never needed to use this, so I can't say how it might have worked in an actual emergency. I think it's better than nothing, though.
Feb 7th, 2000 | 04:26 AM
#3
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Hi,
I've never forgotten sitting in an ER, scared and in pain for a couple of hours, because no one could reach my parents to get permission to do a minor procedure. The laws are different now, but the medical insurance issue is also much more complicated.
It's a good idea to get a statement from her parents not just to verify that you haven't kidnapped her but, more importantly and practically, that you have their permission to obtain and approve medical care. But in addition to that, make sure you have her health insurance policy number, patient ID number, and the emergency number to call for approval of out-of-system care.
I've never forgotten sitting in an ER, scared and in pain for a couple of hours, because no one could reach my parents to get permission to do a minor procedure. The laws are different now, but the medical insurance issue is also much more complicated.
It's a good idea to get a statement from her parents not just to verify that you haven't kidnapped her but, more importantly and practically, that you have their permission to obtain and approve medical care. But in addition to that, make sure you have her health insurance policy number, patient ID number, and the emergency number to call for approval of out-of-system care.
Feb 7th, 2000 | 05:50 AM
#4
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By all means get a written, signed statement from the child's parents--I ended up taking my niece to the emergency room a couple of years back and they were very hesitant to treat her without her parents' permission (who were en route home on a plane and unreachable). She eventually did get care but suffered for a good hour while the red tape was unraveled. I learned from that and now send letters okaying medical treatment with my kids when we're out of town and they're in someone else's care.
