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Emergency Medical Evacuation to the USA - insurance policy?

Has anyone purchased a travel insurance policy (or membership) that includes emergency evacuation to a hospital selected by the patient even if it is located back in the United States? I am thinking of a policy/membership similar to the one that is offered by MedJet Assist.

Background: in the past I took out a Med Jet Assist membership when traveling to Europe to insure that the enormous cost of repatriation to the USA for medical reasons would be covered by a quasi insurance policy. It would be better for me to pay $250 for a two week membership than to face a $100,00 bill to be flown back to the States. Unfortunately things have changed since I entered my 70s. MedJet's service for seniors like me is now provided by a one year membership costing around $500 and passing a medical review (on paper) by one of their physicians. The issue for me is not, at this time, health matters but the requirement that a screening report be submitted on MeJet's form. It doesn't appear that the company will be flexible on this matter so I might be forced to go my separate way and find an alternate source of this coverage

I would like to hear from folks who have purchased a medical evacuation plan with international repatriation service. Some of the evacuation services contained in the policies of well known American insurance companies only cover transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility which, in my case for my London trip this summer, might be an emergency clinic a few blocks away from where I am staying. Still I would have to pay my own way back to the USA. I want to be brought back home in the manner that MedJet provides and without breaking the piggy bank.

Thanks for your input on this matter.

Posted by
746 posts

We are in our 70's and have had a Medjet Assist annual plan for a few years. When renewing this year I had to have my GP fill in their 2 page form saying I was healthy. Last year I had a prostatectomy, so I had to have that surgeon fill it out. For my GP, I just brought it to her on my annual wellness visit, and she filled it out. For the surgeon, he was in another town, so I emailed him a .pdf of the form, his office had him fill it out and emailed it back. I think I mailed them both to Medjet and all was good. They did add a waiver that I was not covered for complications with the surgery but that was fine with me.

Posted by
884 posts

Last year, at age 70+ but under 75, we got a med evac policy from Allianz for just over $200. The policy also included 50K in support med ins. No doctor report needed.

Posted by
604 posts

Interesting. We (both 73) got a MedJet policy this year and they had no requirement for a medical review.

Posted by
19001 posts

Whichever Medical Evacuation policy you get, read it carefully. Not all include evacuation to the hospital of your choice. Some only include evacuation to the nearest hospital.

Posted by
2967 posts

The MedJet doctor note requirement does not kick in until you're 75.

Airmed will take you to a US hospital...same as MedJet.