physicians, travel assistance personnel and emergency evacuation

[Choose as part of a discount benefits package]

Through a worldwide network of medical assistance personnel, plus emergency evacuation, get the transportation you need when you, or someone in your family, becomes ill or gets sick.

Includes a hotline to locate a qualified doctor

while in a different city or even a different country. Knowing help is merely a phone call away provides members with peace of mind.

Members have access to a global network of practicing physicians, travel assistance personnel and emergency evacuation benefits when traveling 100 miles from home and suffering from a serious injury or illness.

Some of these services include:

  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Repatriation of mortal remains
  • Transportation to join a hospitalized family member
  • Return of dependent children
  • Pre-travel information
  • Monitoring of treatment worldwide
  • Medical and dental referrals
  • Facilitation of hospital payment
  • Transfer of insurance information to medical providers
  • Replacement of lost or stolen travel documents
  • Legal referrals
  • Medication, vaccine and blood transfers
  • Transfer of funds
  • Real-time security intelligence

A complete list of services, exclusions and limitations is available to all members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you access the Medical Travel Assistance services?

A: Members simply call a toll-free phone number on the back of their member ID card to access the worldwide MEDEX network. If a toll-free number is not available from within a country the traveler can call MEDEX collect. The telephone access numbers are printed on the fulfillment material or membership ID card.

Q: When do you utilize the services?

A: Medical Travel Assistance is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We are here to help with any type of travel, medical and security situation, regardless of the severity.

Q: Is there a part of the world where MedicalTravel Assistance cannot provide services?

A: No – the services extend worldwide.

Q: How many cases does the service handle a year?

A: We manage approximately 25,000 cases per year in virtually every country of the world.

Q: How does Medical Travel Assistance help locate appropriate medical care?

A: We have a global network of more than 59,000 providers worldwide. The network contains hospitals, clinics and physicians, as well as air ambulances, house call physicians, medical escorts and other providers geared uniquely to the travel insuranceindustry. We have rigorous credentialing and recredentialing standards. Members are provided referralsbased on the medical specialty needed, location, language, office hours, training, etc.

Q: Does Medical Travel Assistance require that members go to specific hospitals, doctors, or clinics?

A: In order to reap the full benefits of our services, we strongly recommend that members contact us before entering hospitals so we can refer them to the best providers in the area. If our members go to other providers, we cannot be certain of the level of treatment. However, we will provide the same assistance services regardless of where the individuals are treated.

Q: What happens in the event of a hospitalization?

A: It is important that we are notified as soon as possible. We will monitor your care and work through the complex details of foreign hospitalizations. We will immediately speak with your treating doctor to assess your condition, your treatment plans, and whether or not an evacuation is necessary. We will update your family, employer and personal physician as appropriate. In addition, we will coordinate all insurance verifications and admission details.

Q: How does Medical Travel Assistance facilitate hospital admissions?

A: Medical Travel Assistance will coordinate all billing and insurance verifications, including settling any guarantees of payment. This ensures that there is no delay or denial of medical treatment because a member is unable to make the up-frontpayment or because a member’s insurance is not recognized.

Q: What if the local facilities are not capable of providing treatment?

A: In evaluating the local facilities, we consider such factors as the quality of the blood supply, medical technology and specialties available, use of sterile equipment and the patient’s medical requirements. If facilities are inadequate, the PhysicianAdvisor will report on the safety of such an evacuation, any medical needs the patient may require en route and the evacuation plan details. We will consult with all parties involved and fully manage the issues surrounding the evacuation.

Q: What is a typical cost to evacuate an individual?

A: Evacuation costs vary depending on the location and the severity of the medical problem. Typically, an evacuation can run anywhere from $10,000 to in excess of $75,000.

Q: What is actually involved in an evacuation?

A: Evacuations are complex and involve:

  • Evaluation of the transport requirements (such as oxygen requirements, doctors necessary, any special equipment, altitude specifications, etc.)
  • Discharge administration
  • Admission into a new facility
  • Identifying qualified aeromedical escorts and air ambulances
  • Coordinating ground transportation on both ends of the evacuation
  • Immigration and flight clearances
  • Assistance with family travel arrangements

Q: What are the types of medical evacuations?

A: The evacuation method is determined based on the patient’s condition and location, and may be:

  • Commercial Airline Transfer (for less severe medical problems, such as a broken arm)
  • Commercial Airline Transfer with Medical or Non-medical Escort
  • Stretcher Commercial Airline Transfer (several seats are removed for the stretcher)
  • Air Ambulance Transfer

Q: Once a member is released from the hospital, do the services end?

A: Medical Travel Assistance helps with a member’s case until they have returned home or havereceived final treatment.

Q: What if a member has a non-medical problem?

A: Members can call the MEDEX Emergency Response Center for help. We will assist with lost or stolen passports, legal referrals, translation services, emergency transfer of funds and a host of other non-medical problems.

Q: What if there is a political situation and the Member needs evacuation or security services?

A: If a member wishes to be evacuated due to a deteriorating security situation, MEDEX canassist with the coordination of such transport. MEDEX has 24-hour capabilities to book commercial airline reservations or arrange charter flights. Cases can be coordinated urgently, based on the availability of aircraft. If a traveler is not sure about the relative cost effectiveness of numerous commercial flights versus a charter, (assuming that both options are available), MEDEX can obtain a price comparison. MEDEX can also assist with determining any visa regulations that would apply to travelers, and confirming hotel and ground transportation arrangements in the destination city. If provided with specific demographics and location information, MEDEX can formulate more specific Contingency Plans with pricing at an additional charge.

In a more acute security situation, where special security personnel and arrangements are needed, MEDEX can assist in accessing appropriate services from specializedsecurity affiliates.

Pricing for MEDEX’s coordination of security evacuations would be at an hourly rate, plus the actual commercial or charter flight costs.

The Fine Print

Vendor Info:

MEDEX provides protection from the costs associated with emergency medical treatment, medical evacuations, return ofmortal remains, and even travel for a loved-one to come to your bedside should you become hospitalized. We offer programs for individuals and groups, business and leisure travelers.

MEDEX is a leader in the travel assistance industry operating 24/7/365 to assist millions of travelers around the globe. With the ability to communicate in more than 100 different languages and with more than 59,000 international assistance providers, MEDEX Assistance is fully prepared and equipped to manage travel, medical, and security emergencies. www.medexassist.com