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Travellers who use medical services when abroad are being warned to check for inflated costs, an insurance company has said.

Europ Assistance has seen medical treatment bills three times higher than expected, with the worst countries including Spain, Greece, Bulgaria and the Dominican Republic.

The Daily Telegraph reports that overcharging is common and some clinics have been found prescribing drugs and treatment to patients who required just basic care.

The problem impacts on both those with insurance and those without.

The Association of British Insurers warns that those without insurance will often just turn up at the first clinic they find, as they do not have a medical help line to turn to who can provide the addresses of reputable clinics.

But even those who do have insurance cover also face problems in the long run as higher charges have to be clawed back through higher premiums.

Charles Walckenaer, managing director of Europ Assistance, said that state hospitals were usually a safer option than smaller medical centres and clinics.

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About the author

Oonagh ShielContent Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!

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