Glossary: Medical Evacuation

The hospital expenses can be bad, but getting home can be a nightmare
The medical expenses are only a part of an accident or illness while on vacation. Let’s say you are on vacation in South America and suffer an illness or accident. You’re taken to the nearest hospital and they begin treatment. Some travelers, at this point, would want to be taken home to their regular doctor for treatment, but sometimes you cannot merely get on a commercial jet and make the flight.

You might need constant medical care, a stretcher, IV’s, or a number of other special needs that cannot always be met on a commercial airline. In these circumstances, a special plane and staff would be required (see MedjetAssist post here)

In some cases, in the event of a minor injury, a patient might be able to fly commercial, but will require an entire row of seats at full retail cost. For a last minute flight this can easily cost several thousand dollars.

Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage pays for you to be transported to the nearest qualified medical facility or to your home country, depending on which plan you buy
The most popular type of travel insurance plans, sometimes called a package plan, provide emergency medical evacuation. These plans include medical expenses, baggage and flight coverage, and are popular because they have common coverage for the everyday traveler. There are, however, some limitations placed on the medical evacuation coverage compared to “all-inclusive” services like MedjetAssist

Most companies require that any travel arrangements are made through their support center. They have good relationships with travel providers and have arranged for special equipment, services, staffing, and rates, and need to make the arrangements to take advantage of that relationship.

In general, look for a package plan that has some level of medical evacuation coverage. Most plans offer anywhere between $100,000 and $1,000,000.

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