Health travel insurance is a critical investment. It can help you avoid big medical bills, and it gives you access to the best medical care when you need it.
But there’s a type of insurance that’s even more important than the health insurance you buy for travel. It’s called medical evacuation insurance, and it can be a lifeline in emergency situations.
I’ll explain what medical evacuation insurance is, how it works, and when you should consider buying it.
What Is Medical Evacuation Insurance?
Medical evacuation insurance will transport you to a hospital or medical facility in the nearest city with adequate medical care. In some cases, you may be transported back to your home country.
This insurance is for medical emergencies only. If you have a minor injury or illness, you should visit the nearest urgent care facility.
If you have a pre-existing condition or are pregnant, you should purchase travel insurance that covers these conditions.
How Does Medical Evacuation Insurance Work?
In the event of a medical emergency, the insured person, a travel companion, or a medical professional will contact the insurance provider using the contact information provided in the insurance documents.
The insurance provider will then coordinate and pay for the evacuation to the nearest medical facility that can provide appropriate care. If the medical facility is located a significant distance from the evacuation site, the insurance provider will also coordinate and pay for transportation to the medical facility.
If the insured person is stable enough to return home and the treating physician approves, the insurance provider will also coordinate and pay for transportation to the insured person’s home country.
If the insured person is hospitalized and stable, but unable to travel, the insurance provider will coordinate and pay for the return of dependent children and other family members who are traveling with the insured person.
How to Get Medical Evacuation Insurance
You can purchase medical evacuation insurance as a stand-alone policy or as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan. If you are planning a trip and want to make sure you have coverage in case of a medical emergency, you can compare travel insurance plans with medical evacuation coverage using a comparison site like Insure My Trip.
If you are already traveling and need medical evacuation insurance, you can purchase a policy online or over the phone. Keep in mind that some medical evacuation insurance plans may have limitations on when you can purchase coverage, so it is best to buy a policy as soon as you know you need it.
Who Needs Medical Evacuation Insurance?
Medical evacuation insurance is especially important if you are traveling to a remote area where medical facilities may not be able to provide the care you need. It is also important if you are traveling to a country that does not have the same standard of health care as the United States.
If you are traveling to a location where the nearest medical facility is more than 150 miles away, you should consider getting medical evacuation insurance. This is the distance at which most health insurance plans will cover a medical evacuation.
If you are traveling to a country that is not covered by your health insurance, you should consider getting medical evacuation insurance. Most health insurance plans will not cover medical evacuation from a foreign country.
Conclusion
Travel medical insurance is an essential part of any packing list. Whether you’re traveling for a week, a month, or even a year, you need to have a plan in place for medical emergencies.
Travel medical insurance can cover anything from hospital stays to emergency surgeries, and it can even help you get back home if you need more extensive medical care. With IIG, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you’re protected in case of a medical emergency.
You have enough to worry about in an emergency situation. Medical evacuation insurance can help you get to a place where you can focus on what’s most important: your health and recovery.