How to cash in on free medical care when traveling abroad

Almost nothing spoils a vacation more than being forced to sit out the fun because you're sick -- although you'll probably feel even worse once you're handed a huge doctor's bill because you didn't buy travel medical insurance.

Still, don't let that scare you into coughing up cash for additional insurance that you most likely won't use. Here are two ways to see a doctor -- and even get a prescription filled -- without spending a penny extra:

First, call your health-insurance provider before your embark on the trip to see if your plan will cover you abroad. That's what I did less than 10 hours before flying off to a two-week vacation in Guatemala and Belize in March.