Blog | Air ambulance | Repatriation from abroad (2024)

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Being seriously ill or injured while traveling abroad is every traveller's worst nightmare. As a result, many travel insurance policies include medical air transportation benefits which can cover the costs of medical repatriation and evacuation missions in other countries. Many people, however, are unaware that travel insurance policies, riddled with fine print and exception clauses, can be tricky. Here's everything you need to know to make sure your insurance company covers your medical evacuation or repatriation flight.

What do you have to know about medical evacuation/ repatriation insurance?

• There is a distinction between medical evacuation and medical repatriation but both typically involve air ambulance flights
• In most cases, insurance companies would cover medically necessary repatriations
• Medical repatriations are considered necessary if a doctor or a medical professional advances that they are

Medical Repatriation vs Evacuation: What’s The Difference?

Travelers who purchase travel insurance should understand the distinction between medical repatriation and medical evacuation. The following is the key distinction between the two types of aeromedical services:

Generally speaking, evacuation refers to the services required to transport a patient from his home country to an overseas world-class hospital or clinic, whereas repatriation refers to his transportation back home for recovery or rehabilitation after emergency services in another country.

As a result, while both medical repatriation and evacuation presuppose international travel, they can also imply domestic flights, particularly in big countries like the United States or Canada.

It is a wise decision to have a firm grasp of both concepts before purchasing travel insurance for your upcoming trip.

What is Medical Evacuation?

Medical evacuation occurs when a person is injured in an accident or becomes unexpectedly ill. This does not have to happen in a foreign country. As previously stated, this health issue can occur in his own country.

Medical evacuations involve transporting patients to the nearest medical facility. However, if specialized care is required, but is only available at a different institution, evacuation may also include the latter’s transfer from one medical facility to another. This is referred to as inter-hospital transfer in medical terminology. The patient is usually airlifted and transferred on board a fixed-wing aircraft. There are also trained medical personnel on hand.

Did you know that? Medical evacuation insurance will cover the cost of transportation but not medical bills. That must be covered by your insurance company or paid for out of your own pocket. It will, however, cover the costs of emergency transportation, which can reach high levels in some cases.

What is Medical Repatriation?

Medical repatriation differs from medical evacuation in that the patient is airlifted back to his home country after receiving initial treatment in a foreign country. If you are traveling abroad and are involved in an accident that necessitates emergency medical services, you may have the necessary insurance to cover both the emergency transportation to a local hospital and the necessary medical work. To cover the cost of returning home, however, complimentary medical repatriation insurance is required.

Another distinction is that the majority of medical repatriation insurance policies cover non-emergency medical travel (NEMT) or provide their own medical flights and doctors, thus insisting on performing the repatriation mission themselves. This is particularly the case in Germany. If that is not the case, patients may identify a company that offers comprehensive NEMT services, such as Medical Air Service.

Travel/Health insurance policies, the trap of the fine print

Nobody wants to get sick while on vacation, and illness or injury can be one of the most debilitating events that can occur. Travel medical insurance is designed to help in these circ*mstances. It is especially critical if you are traveling outside of the country. However, your travel or health insurance may only provide limited coverage by reimbursing you up to the plan limits or provide no coverage at all, particularly if your medical repatriation/evacuation is not deemed medically necessary.

Advice: There are a lot of practical advantages in familiarising yourself with the terms and clauses of your insurance policy. Reading and understanding the fine print is essential. Do not hesitate to contact your agent to clear any misunderstanding.

What is a medically necessary repatriation or evacuation?

“Medically necessary" typically means "a service or supply which is necessary and appropriate for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury based on generally accepted current medical practice as determined by your travel medical insurance provider"

A medically necessary repatriation is one that doctors determine is medically necessary. Your health/travel insurance company may cover medically necessary repatriation or evacuation. It may also choose to follow the suggestion of the emergency doctor, even if it is not obliged to do so.

Examples of medically necessary repatriation or evacuation services are when a patient needs to be transported from a hospital that is not equipped or does not have adequate doctors to treat your limb or life-threatening ailment or illness to a healthcare facility that is. The end goal is to make sure the patient receives the specialized care he needs.

What is medical evacuation/repatriation insurance?

Medical evacuation and repatriation insurance is designed to supplement plans with limited benefits. Despite its broad definition, a medical evacuation plan covers the cost of medical repatriation. That is just a fancy way of saying it covers the cost of transporting you back home if you become ill overseas.

An emergency medical evacuation plan, on the other hand, only provides for air transportation services if you need to be evacuated to the nearest qualified healthcare facility, rather than systematically to your home country. Depending on your policy, the plan may cover the cost of returning you home once you've been stabilized. Make sure to double-check that with your insurance company.

Pay close attention to the insurance coverage specifics!

Read the policy to learn what the insurance company will cover if you file a claim. While doing so, keep in mind that the price limits on your medical repatriation and evacuation coverage should not be the only factor to consider.

As previously stated, most medical evacuation insurance policies only cover evacuation to the closest acceptable facility. Then, after being transferred to the nearest facility capable of treating your medical condition, you will most likely remain there until you are able to fly home on a commercial flight.

Be caution: Medical Air Service defines "medical evacuation" as traveling to another country for treatment. Check to see if your insurance company uses the same definition or if this is covered by your policy.

What kind of insurance coverage is typically provided?

• The following coverage is commonly included in a medical evacuation insurance policy:
• Organisation and payment for emergency medical air transportation to and from a medical facility where you can be treated;
• Arrangements for repatriation, including proper handling, negotiations, and payments required to return you to your home country;
• Language translation services if you are in a foreign country and do not understand the local lingo.

Did you know that? Medical Air Service also offers translation services. Our experts can be dispatched to your treating hospital and translate medical and other documents if needed.

Who should consider purchasing medical evacuation or medical repatriation insurance?

These travelers should get medical evacuation travel insurance:

• Individuals and their families boarding a cruise ship. Indeed, the medical facilities on a cruise ship are limited, and if you have a medical emergency, proper insurance coverage will be needed to coordinate and pay for your evacuation in order to receive proper medical care;
• Travelers set out for far-flung regions. If you are planning a trip to a remote part of the world where medical care may be limited, you will require a comprehensive insurance policy in the event that you become seriously ill or injured;
• Foreign aid workers and missionaries who frequently travel to politically volatile or disaster-stricken areas;
• Business travelers. If you work in a foreign country, you may have access to your own health care or universal health care, but you will not be able to return home if something truly catastrophic occurs unless you have medical evacuation insurance.

Is Covid-19 covered by medical evacuation or medical repatriation insurance?

If you are concerned about Covid-related medical expenses, you should check with your insurance company before purchasing a plan, as not all companies provide such coverage.

Benefits of getting a medical evacuation/repatriation insurance plan

Traditional benefits of medical evacuation and repatriation plans include:

• Emergency medical evacuation, i.e., providing you with air transportation services in the event that you need to be evacuated to the nearest qualified medical facility;
• Emergency reunion benefits which cover a loved one's airfare, lodging, and living expenses if you are medically evacuated;
• Repatriation of remains benefit which is intended to cover the costs of returning your body to your home country if you were to pass away;
• Travel assistance services which include coverage for lost document assistance, translation assistance, emergency prescription replacement and more. Keep in mind that these benefits are not monetary assistance.

Medical Air Service: an aeromedical transportation company

If you are looking for an air ambulance provider who is safe, experienced, and dependable, look no further than Medical Air Service! We are proud to be a trusted industry leader in aeromedical services. We have a wealth of experience providing a wide range of medical transport services to international patients of all health conditions and ages. We can accommodate any of your specific needs, whether you require fast medevac services or simply want a medical escort to travel with you on your next commercial flight.

You do not have medical evacuation/repatriation insurance and are wondering if you can still contact us? We will, of course, arrange for your medical evacuation or repatriation regardless of your insurance status.

Contact us right now so that we can arrange for your medical evacuation or repatriation as soon as possible after your reservation. Our teams, who have been your trusted partners for many years, carry out repatriation and evacuation missions quickly and safely all over the world.

Our specialized doctors, who have received training in aviation medicine, will accompany you on your journey by medical helicopter or medical aircraft, providing you with the utmost peace of mind. Our ambulance flights' medical equipment also meets the quality standards of a modern intensive care unit.

To save you time and money, we also provide flight clearances, communication with doctors, and ground transportation between hospitals and airports.

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Contacting us today is the best way to learn more about the various medical air services that we provide. We'll be happy to explain your options and assist you in making the best decision for your upcoming medical transport.