Medjet Global Medical Evacuation for International Travelers

March 31, 2022

An in-depth look at Medjet Global Medical Transport

“All human plans [are] subject to ruthless revision by Nature, or Fate, or whatever one preferred to call the powers behind the Universe.”
Arthur C. Clarke 2010 Odyssey Two

I recently gained a better understanding of how Global Medical Evacuation coverage works and its importance after decades of travel. Like many, I had some misconceptions about how it functions within my travel insurance policy. Luckily, I have never needed it. One in every 30 trips ends in a medical emergency, and over 2 million travelers a year require medical transport. Now that I am aware of the risk, I will never travel again without it and purchase annual memberships.

In my medical career, I quickly learned the importance of empowering patients with knowledge. A patient who understands what is happening can interact more effectively with the medical team. This often results in better care and increased involvement from providers. Knowledge is power, and in Global Medical Evacuation, it may make a life-and-death difference.

Let us talk frankly about the realities so you can get better protection moving forward. I hope to provide some insight into the value and importance of having Global Medical Evacuation coverage. As a medical professional, I won’t hesitate to speak to the facts, not to instill fear but to educate. An educated consumer is a powerful one.

What is Global Medical Evacuation coverage?

Global Medical Evacuation coverage will fully cover the cost of having you flown home from anywhere in the world or domestically if you become hospitalized 150 miles or more from home. It will arrange air medical evacuation to your home-country hospital of your choice for continued inpatient care. All you pay is a membership fee, and they cover all costs, including a medical team to care for you during transit. Medical transport, especially when traveling internationally, is often in the $ 100,000-$ 250,000 range, based on distance and the severity of your condition. The membership cost is very reasonable (and we promise) and will give you peace of mind if something unimaginable were to happen.

Most travel insurance policies include medical Evacuation Coverage, but did you know that it typically only gets you to the nearest adequate medical facility, not back home?

What is Global Medical Evacuation Coverage?

Maintaining a travel blog requires ongoing research and staying informed about the latest travel news. In recent years, many stories have hit close to home. Suffering and loss could have been reduced during a time of crisis. As a result, this encouraged me to change my approach to the coverage I purchase for my travel abroad. It was the right choice to protect my family and myself. I found that missing piece in an impressive company called Medjet. Medjet is the premier global air-medical transport membership program for travelers.

If Medjet is a good option for me, it could be one for our readers. The inspiration to write this came while recalling my years working in a hospital. People came from all over the world for the state-of-the-art treatment we provided. Often, families spoke little to no English, thrust into a world where everything was foreign to them while fighting for their lives. They experienced difficulty communicating basics with the medical team and often felt unsure if all was being done. They were lonely, being so far away from their family and friends during one of the most challenging times of their lives. It was so often heartbreaking to watch the toll it took.

Is that what any of us would want in a time of crisis? It adds stress, fear, and financial burden. Most importantly, it impacts healing. It is best to be at home, in a system where you speak the language with the best care available.

But my travel insurance covers emergency medical evacuation, doesn’t it?

Virtually all travel insurance policies have an emergency medical evacuation component. I frequently hear that I have all the coverage I need, so I don’t need more. But have you looked at the fine print?

The reality is this: they will transport you to the nearest adequate facility to provide you with the care you need. That will likely be in the country where you become ill or injured, or the closest country nearby. It is rarely, if ever, back home to the United States. Below is an example of the language found in travel insurance policies.

Travel insurance, medical evacuation coverage, and how it is used are at the discretion of the insurance company. They determine if, where, and how you go. It may not be the best facility, but they take complete control, and you have little to no say in what happens. That is pretty scary in a crisis.

In their words

“Medical Evacuation can provide coverage for transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility in the event of a medical emergency during a trip. Repatriation can transport a traveler’s remains back home.

In coordination with our designated Assistance Company, a legally licensed Physician must order the Emergency Medical Evacuation. They must certify that the severity of Your Accidental Injury or Emergency Sickness warrants Your Emergency Medical Evacuation to the closest adequate medical facility. The Assistance Company or we must review and approve the necessity of the Emergency Medical Evacuation based on the inadequacy of local medical facilities. The Emergency Medical Evacuation must be coordinated through the most direct and economical conveyance and route possible, such as air or land ambulance or commercial airline carrier.”

Learning from real-life scenarios

You are traveling in rural Spain with a tour group. The vehicle you are in gets into an accident, and you have a severe injury. You are brought to a small local hospital, but it cannot care for someone with such severe injuries. You contact your travel insurance company to arrange for medical Evacuation. If they agree that you need a better-equipped hospital, they will arrange transportation to the closest and most capable medical facility to care for you. That could be in a major city in Spain, such as Madrid or Barcelona. Maybe even to a neighboring country. Even in-country, the cost of these medical evacuations can reach six figures. Your travel insurance policy should fully cover it.

You are now in a major hospital, but don’t speak the language or cannot effectively communicate with the doctors. Interpreters can be brought in, but they are not there when nursing staff and off-hours physicians provide care. The hospital and medical system may not meet your accustomed standards and can be challenging to navigate. You are far from home, away from family and friends. You could be alone or have only one person there to provide support. It is not hard to imagine how terrifying this could be.

I can get home; I have a high limit for my medical Evacuation

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may not be able to travel for months unless medically evacuated. Your policy stated that it pays up to $500,000 for travel, so you are confident you can then return to the States. However, that is NOT the case. The allowance is only for the closest hospital to provide you with care, not for return to the States or care close to home. Their job is done; they met the terms you agreed to when the plan was purchased.

The cost of medical transport from overseas to the U.S. can reach the $250,000 range, which is prohibitive for almost all of us. As you recover, you will likely be stuck in a foreign nation for months. If your family is there with you, that will help, but what if they have a job they need to return to, or your kids need to return to school? We all know that having our loved ones near us during difficult times is invaluable.

It is not always a vehicle accident

The above scenario occurs in many forms that could require hospitalization. Severe falls, head injuries, being hit by a vehicle, ATV accidents, public transportation accidents, natural disasters, being hit by a bicyclist, severe foodborne illnesses, heart attacks, sports or adventure injuries, strokes, pancreatitis, COVID-19, and on and on. Several of these events have happened to friends, or I have seen them occur while traveling. This is the reality, we all have known loved ones or ourselves hit with sudden health issues. It doesn’t always happen close to home.

Here is the bottom line

You want to be close to home at a medical facility that will provide you with the care you need, where you speak the language, and have your support system near you.

You can buy peace of mind, worth its weight in gold. That is what insurance is all about—covering the what-ifs, especially the big what-ifs. There is no better coverage for Global Medical Evacuation transport than Medjet. I will never leave home without it, and neither should you. Medjet’s quality and reliability are exemplary, offering the best value for your dollar.

Do I still need travel insurance?

YES, YES, YES! Travel insurance policies have so many other essential elements that are invaluable. We always absolutely buy travel insurance for every trip abroad. We wrote an article on the importance of travel insurance and how to find the best deals. You can read it by clicking HERE. Many people rely on what their travel credit card offers, which is not a good idea at all. This comes from someone who adores her Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Our travel insurance article goes more in-depth on that as well. If you’d like to go directly to the source where we purchase our travel insurance, visit Squaremouth.com.

Where can I find Global Medical Evacuation coverage that brings me home?

A great deal of research was conducted to identify the best and most reputable company. We chose Medjet for our Global Medical Evacuation coverage. Medjet is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating. They have been in business for 30 years and have a stellar reputation. Lloyds of London also backs them. Their sole purpose is to provide members with air Global Medical Evacuation transport back home at no cost. They pay 100% of the costs.

Let’s look at some real-life examples from Medjet

Chile to Georgia, USA, 6,085 miles from home, costs $107,887. Cost to member 0.

From India to Alberta, Canada, a distance of 6,725 miles, costs $156,538. Cost to member 0.

Florida to California, all within the USA. The cost of transport is $34,789. The cost to the member is 0.

I am on a budget; the cost of this must be exorbitant.

You may suspect this kind of service would be prohibitive for most of us to purchase. They transport you back to the home hospital of your choice, and a family member can accompany you. There are no exclusions for injuries related to sports or adventure-based travel. A medical transfer is available regardless of medical necessity. It will transfer you from one hospital to another if you require continued hospitalization, as recommended by the medical team caring for you. If you meet those conditions, they will transport you as requested, not based on an insurance company’s decision. If you need to get to a hospital near your home, they will transport you there at no additional cost.

What does a Medjet membership cost?

Annual membership starts at $315.00 for a single person and $425 for a family

Available up to age 74—one price for all. If you are a frequent traveler, that is a fantastic price. It is not based on your existing health, the length of time since you booked your trip, the number of trips you take, or your destination.

Short-term memberships start at $99

This is an excellent option for those who travel abroad once a year and do not need an annual membership.

Family memberships for the above plans are also available.

Some Specialty Memberships are available for individuals aged 75-84, college students studying abroad, expatriates living and working abroad, and motorcycle riders (who transport you and your bike home).

In my mind, that is an incredibly reasonable price for the peace of mind it provides. The cost may be prohibitive for people traveling on tight budgets, which is understandable. In the case of younger travelers, I know some parents who have purchased the membership for their kids to provide peace of mind while abroad. Working in the medical field, I am too aware of tragic stories, and all I can do to minimize the trauma is important. It isn’t about being paranoid; it is about being smart.

TIP

If your trip isn’t for another few months, but you wish to buy a MedJet membership now, you can choose an effective date closer to your actual travel date. This can come in handy when they have some rare sales.

Where is Medjet available?

MedJet memberships are available to residents of the US, Canada, and Mexico. Medjet is a U.S.-based company. Any member more than 150 miles from home, even on the other side of the world, can access Global Medical Evacuation transport assistance to return home when requiring ongoing hospitalization. They are available 24 hours a day.

Of the few companies that offer this service, none come close, reputation-wise, to MedJet, so it is the only one we recommend. They know what they are doing. As always, we suggest you shop for prices and options.

Planning to travel? Check out our Destinations page

Medjet has a few expanded plans.

Our focus in this article is on Global Medical Evacuation. Medjet does offer a Medjet Horizon plan that covers not only Enhanced Global Medical Evacuation but also crisis response. This includes 24/7 Travel Security Response and Evacuation Services in the event of political threats, Terrorism, Natural Disasters, Pandemics, and Violent Crime. 24/7 Crisis Response to Kidnap for Ransom, Disappearance, Wrongful Detention, Blackmail & Extortion. Trip Intelligence and e-Alerts. Legal referrals. Emergency Medical Cash Advance up to $60,000! This can be particularly helpful when international hospitals require payment up front to treat you.

At first, we assumed the cost for this would be way more pricey than just the medical evacuation coverage. Another good lesson for us is not to assume that we should do the research. It is $159 more per year than the medical evacuation only, totaling $474 per year. For a family, it is $614. That is what we purchase now.

A few common questions people may have

Does it cover Covid?

Yes, Medjet does transport patients for COVID-19 hospitalizations and other illnesses and accidents that require hospitalization while traveling abroad.

What does MedJet cover?

Regardless of medical necessity, if a member is hospitalized 150 miles or more from their home, Medjet will arrange for a Medical Evacuation. They will transfer you to the hospital of your choice within your home country, with no pre-existing condition exclusions (for individuals under 75 years of age), health questions, deductibles, or claim forms. There are no monetary limits to the program’s benefits, and no restrictions on the amount of travel taken annually. It must be a hospital-to-hospital transfer, where you will receive continued care in the hospital setting.

Who decides if you are eligible for transport?

If you call Medjet, their medical department will consult with your local attending physician to assess your stability and determine if transfer is necessary. If you meet the criteria for transport and are medically stable, the decision is yours to make.

Is there a limit per year?

Members under 75 are allowed two modes of transport per membership year. In the case of a common accident involving multiple enrolled family members, every member of the enrolled family will receive one transport.

If I am being medically transported by air, will a family member be able to accompany me on the flight?

Yes, all aircraft have the space for critical patients and one family member.

How long does repatriation take if you are hospitalized abroad?

Medical repatriation timeframes can vary. They depend on many different factors, including, but not limited to, the time it takes to process the required permits and visas for the countries involved. For details specific to your situation, please contact Medjet before your travels.

What does a family membership encompass?

A family plan membership may include a primary member, a domestic partner or spouse, and up to five dependent children up to age 19 (or up to age 23 for full-time students)

Why is it a membership and not insurance?

No claim forms, subrogation, or bills show up months after your emergency medical situation. They also handle all communication between the admitting and receiving hospitals, staying in touch by providing updates to family and friends.

Do they have the resources to transport an entire family if all are hospitalized abroad?

Yes. Some Medjet-authorized affiliate aircraft can transport up to two critical patients simultaneously and dispatch multiple aircraft simultaneously. They can also transport several non-acute patients on a standard plane through their affiliate network.

Does Medjet operate and maintain its own aircraft?

No. Medjet is an authorized Indirect Air Carrier (IAC). They utilize the services of 135 licensed air carriers to meet your air ambulance needs. Medjet does not own, lease, or operate any aircraft and has no affiliation with any direct air carrier. As an IAC, Medjet contracts for air transportation services in its name and coordinates the provision of Global Medical Evacuation services for your flight. Licensed direct air carriers operate all flights.

How do I know the aircraft and crew transporting me are safe?

Medjet requires all authorized medical aircraft to be twin-engine. They must have a minimum of two pilots who are specially trained and certified for their specific aircraft. Medical teams must be specially trained to care for critically ill or injured patients at altitude and have experience in both short— and long-range air medical transport missions. All authorized affiliates must comply annually with Medjet Assist standards regarding liability insurance limits and pilot and medical crew training.

What medical services does the aircraft have?

Aircraft operated by Medjet authorized affiliates are fitted with state-of-the-art medical equipment and can act as flying intensive-care units. All aircraft can accommodate one critical patient, a family member, and a medical team of up to three personnel.

Does Medjet cover pre-existing conditions?

There are no pre-existing conditions cut-offs, health questions/exams, or adventure travel exclusions.

Final thoughts

Enhance your international and domestic travel protection for Global Medical Evacuation by purchasing a Medjet membership. You hope you will never need it, but if you do, it will be one of the most invaluable purchases of a lifetime. Isn’t your peace of mind worth it?

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Pictures on this page are from Adobe Stock and were purchased with a license.

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