Medical Translations

Before relocating, it is worth assembling a translated core file: your current medication list (with generic names, not just brand names, since brand names differ between countries), any chronic-condition management plans, recent lab results if you have ongoing health issues, and a summary letter from your physician outlining your current health status and treatment plan. A CTP-certified translation of these documents establishes a clear medical history that any provider can read. We translate the full file and keep copies, so adding a document later is straightforward.

For a scheduled surgery or procedure, the admitting hospital will typically need your medical history, current medications, allergy list, and relevant prior surgical reports. Having these translated in advance means faster admissions, fewer delays, and reduced risk of miscommunication. For emergencies, a pre-translated medical summary that you keep with your passport can be invaluable. Specific admission paperwork is set by each hospital; we ensure the clinical content you provide is rendered accurately and is certified to the recognized national standard.

Translating prescriptions and medication lists requires pharmaceutical knowledge, not just word substitution. US brand-name medications often have different brand names abroad, or may be available only under their generic (international nonproprietary) names. For example, Tylenol is generally sold as Paracetamol elsewhere, and many US brand-name drugs are dispensed under different labels. Our translations include both the US brand name and the international generic name (DCI — Denominación Común Internacional) so pharmacists can identify the correct medication without ambiguity. We also render dosage instructions using metric conventions.

Laboratory results require careful attention to reference ranges, units of measurement, and test methodology. While most lab values use international standard units, some tests use different reference ranges between countries. Our translations preserve the original values exactly as reported by the issuing laboratory, including the reference ranges, so physicians can interpret results in their proper context. Diagnostic imaging reports (X-ray, MRI, CT) are translated with standard radiological terminology used in Spanish-language medical practice. Pathology reports, which use highly specialized terminology, receive additional review to ensure diagnostic terms are accurately rendered.

If you maintain US health insurance while living in Peru (common for retirees with Medicare supplement plans or expats with international coverage), you'll frequently need translations in both directions. Providers in Peru may need your insurance policy translated to understand your coverage and submit claims. Conversely, your US insurer may require English translations of Peru medical records, invoices, and treatment summaries to process reimbursement claims. We handle both directions and format insurance documents to meet the requirements of the receiving party — whether that is a hospital's billing department in Peru or a US insurer's claims team.