Medicines are in short supply. Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful. Emergency police assistance can be obtained by dialing 92.
Response time varies, but is generally considered to be effective.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Westerners who travel to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia can expect shortages of fuel, and in some cases, long waits for processing at the border. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been recognized as an independent country by the United States along with several other Western nations. In December 1993, the United States opened a liaison office in Skopje, which provides only emergency services to American citizens.