I’m hoping to get some clarification please.
Both Allianz and GeoBlue international insurance (annual plans) claim to cover medical evacuations, but posters here suggest getting added coverage from Medjet for evacuations. Can someone explain, please? Thank you.
You need to dig down into what is covered or excluded in each policy.
Maybe I am missing something but it said it covers travel to the nearest hospital and then, if necessary, to the US.
MedJet member here. Unless I am misunderstanding the terms, the difference is this:
Most travel insurance will medically evacuate you to the “nearest adequate hospital” for inpatient treatment if you need hospitalization.
As a Medjet Member is hospitalized 150 miles or more from home (whether in US or abroad), Medjet transports you to the US hospital of your choice for inpatient care, even if there is an adequate hospital where you are visiting.
“If necessary” is the key clause to research. Do you want to stay in a country for an extended stay or for surgery? Or do you want to be evacuated to the hospital of your choice (at home)? Medjet will get you home, the others may not. Read and understand the fine print. Call the company if you need clarification. And document the call.
I have an annual Medjet plan and an annual GeoBlue plan. I called GeoBlue to clarify something. The customer service person reminded me (without me asking) that it’s medical only. Their evacuation for that policy was “closest facility” and she didn’t sound impressed. I also have 1-trip Basic Allianz to cover the non-refundable costs if I cancel or interrupt the trip for a covered reason. Fortunately I have not had to file a claim with any of these companies.
Thank you. I will review both policies again.
Also look to see if there is a med-evacuation dollar amount! I usually try to get $500,000 of med-evac coverage. At the end of the pandemic I had bumped that to $1 million in case I had to be evacuated home from Europe on a ventilator (yes, I always consider the worse possible situation).
Wow. I hope it was not used!
The key difference concerns medical repatriation:
Medjet covers hospital to hospital transfers; once you are medically stable, you choose the hospital that you want to be transferred to. They cover the transfer if you are more than 150 miles from home. Medjet is a membership program (not an insurance carrier).
Most travel insurance providers decide where you will be treated. If the policy includes medical repatriation, they decide when you will be returned home. Read your policy carefully. There is a difference between medical evacuation (nearest adequate hospital) and medical repatriation (to a hospital in your home country).
Many travel medical plans have fairly low limits and are reimbursements. You still need to have the cash. So if Medjet gets you to a US hospital, your US policy with higher limits and direct pay will kick im.
