Medjet?

Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 08:51 AM
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Medjet?

Curious, do most of you who go to East Africa take out Medjet Evac coverage in addition to comprehensive insurance? My health insurance company covers me overseas, and I see that Travelguard will evacuate you to the nearest hospital of standard or home if your physician recommends it. Does the nearest hospital of standard mean a place that will have clean blood? Or do I need to get Medjet to be sure if something happens I will be covered.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 10:14 AM
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If you're in East Africa, you might consider joining the AMREF's Flying Doctors Service, who provide medical evacuations in emergencies. You can find out more on their website: http://www.amref.org/index.asp?PageID=36. The membership fees also help support medevacs for the local population when it's needed.

ShayTay
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 10:58 AM
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Although we've never taken out Medjet coverage before for our travels, we are enrolling for our East Africa trip. In the event of an injury/illness which needs prolonged hospitalization we don't want to have to remain in Nairobi. Medjet Evac will arrange transport to a home hospital from any other hospital. Our safari provider insures us for evacuation to the nearest acceptable hospital.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 11:08 AM
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Marija writes -
- nearest acceptable hospital.-
Acceptable to who???
regards - tom
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 12:29 PM
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Here's what they say:
As a client of CC Africa you are automatically covered for all expenses relating to emergency evacuation in the event of an accident or illness at any location forming part of your itinerary as booked through CC Africa. This cover guarantees admission to a suitable hospital or clinic as nominated by International SOS. Our insurer liability ceases upon admission to hospital or clinic. You must therefore still hold your own medical insurance to cover all expenses after admission.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 01:09 PM
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Marija -

Sounds like CCA is offering Flying Doctor's coverage. Should the need arise, Flying Doctor's will fly to where you are - the Mara, Samburu, Amboseli, Mombasa, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, etc. - and transport you to a hospital, likely, in Nairobi. Note: Flying Doctor's doesn't normally fly after dark.

Once in Nairobi, your trip insurance medical will pick-up your hospital/medical expenses; the medical evacuation portion, if deemed necessary in consultation with your insurance provider and attending physician, arrange to fly you to a hospital in Europe, Middle East, South Africa, even home, if required.

Medjet on the other hand will guarantee to fly you home from the hospital in Nairobi. But you have to be in Nairobi. Medjet will not and cannot fly out to the reserves/parks.

Medjet is a good option for anyone who travels anywhere from 50-miles from home on a regular basis. Their annual dues for a family (even a single) is quite reasonable. Though their individual trip policy is also worthwhile.

It's important to note, that should your situation be serious, i.e, heart attack, until you are stabilized, no one will be evacuating you home. And in such a circumstance, Travelguard, Access America, CSA, etc. will see that you get to a responsible hospital. Medjet is the only provider who will get you to your home hospital.

So check our all the details and determine your options.

As to blood, regardless where one travels, you and your travel companions should always know your individual blood types. If you don't, do a good deed, pay a visit to your local blood bank, donate a pint and request to know your blood type.
 
Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 02:42 PM
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I am definetly going to purchase this for our upcoming trip. We live in CA and while we were on vacation in Florida were involved in a horrible car accident. My daughter was hospitalized in Florida for 10 days before we were able to arrange to have an air ambulance fly her back home to CA. I cannot imagine being stuck in a foreign county and having this kind of emergency. One of the nurses in the hospital told me that her father had a heart attack in the carribean and she had to charge his 15,000 air ambulance back to florida. Our air ambulance was over $20,000 and I cannot imagine how much it wouuld be to get one from Africa. I know that a lot of travel insurance says that they cover these costs, but it is only to a hospital with standard of care, that might be some place in Europe. I believe MedJet will fly you to your home hospital or hospital of your choice if you are hospitalized and have to be hospitalized at home. I hope that we will never have to use it, but I have never been so happy to come home. The cost of transportation otherwise is so prohibitive, that it is a bargain.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 04:18 PM
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Thank you, that was all really helpful. I think we'll stick with the Travelguard/Travelex coverage. I just didn't want something to go wrong and have no choice but to go to a hospital that may not have clean blood or needles. In terms of blood type, unfortunately that is information I don't know. My doctor, unless you are pregnant, will tell you your blood type as apparently it's costly to do. Most people know because they have donated blood. Since I travel frequently overseas for work, I have never been allowed to donate. Any other ideas?
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 08:04 PM
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FWIW-
Johannesburg S.A. has some of the best hospitals in the world.
regards - tom
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Old Jun 23rd, 2006, 09:23 PM
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Lucia - when traveling to Asia / Indonesia many years back, I'd brought with me my own clean needles in the event I ended up in hospital care or needing an injection. Not sure with the flight restrictions now if it would be acceptable to carry on your own needles as prevention. Maybe in checked luggage though.

Would expect as someone mentioned Johannesburg having good care that Europe and close countries have good hospitals as well. If however, returning to your home country is important if you need in-patient care for longer term - then MedJet is a great choice. As Sandi says, it is reasonable for the benefit it provides.

With that said, I've been sticking with SRI's medical evacuation so far for our planned trip this December. May decide as it gets closer to add MedJet.

Flying Doctors is important if you go to East Africa to get from parks to Nairobi. As Shaytay says - good donation / support as well.
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Old Jun 24th, 2006, 05:14 AM
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There are plenty of excellent hospitals worldwide. Surprisingly, the best aren't all in the US.

South Africa, Israel, France, Monte Carlo (for cardiac care), and I'm sure many more in other countries.
 
Old Jun 24th, 2006, 05:45 AM
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Hi Lucia,
Re:
Clean blood - No guarantees in US or anywhere unless it's your own blood. Testing is generally only random and for only known diseases.

Blood type - if you go to a clinic/blood bank stating that your traveling and/or would like your blood type it can be done without much cost.

Medjet Docs. and Hospitals must meet universal testing and requirements so I wouldn't worry too much about being brought to the Voodoo lady offering tainted goat blood in the bush .
Happy travels;
Sherry

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Old Jun 24th, 2006, 05:55 AM
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Whats with the edit feature today, geez? NE storms again, perhaps.

Edit: I meant to say Flying Docs. and their affiliate hospitals rather than Medjet - sorry
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Old Jun 24th, 2006, 02:46 PM
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yes, Sherry - the NE storms! How many inches up your way? We've had our share in the Apple!
 
Old Jun 24th, 2006, 03:38 PM
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Not sure as of yet, Sandi, but they're saying up to 3". I'm looking to start mating up my pets at this point.

Eating seems to be on the agenda this eve. so much for my kayaking plans this weekend, grrrr..... although
Sherry
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