mp413

I was reading another posting on here that says people should get travel insurance, Flying Doctors, and Medjet coverage. If my travel insurance covers emergency evacuation, should I still get Medjet? The Medjet site says many travel insurance plans have restrictions that might result in significant out-of-pocket costs for evacuation - how do I know if that's the case when shopping for travel insurance? It's really hard to know what you need in order to be fully covered!

Louise

If you read the insurance policies carefully you will find that some just cover your emergency evacuation to the "nearest suitable facility". God forbid something really serious might happen, you might prefer to be in a hospital at home with family - I know I would rather be home.

mp413

Thanks Louise, I was missing that crucial point. So regular travel insurance will get me to the nearest "adequate" facility - whatever that means, while MedJet will get me home - is that an accurate summary of the difference? So basically I don't need to concern myself with the evacuation coverage included in my travel insurance if I'm getting MedJet coverage?

Louise

Pretty much you are correct. But, not all the "regular" companies read the same. Some will cover you home if the medical team and the insurance company deem it necessary for your welfare. This sometimes might only mean special seating on a regular airliner which might be extremely uncomfortable depending on the problem. You can determine this by reading the policy. Believe me, I am no expert but I don't pay any attention to the amount of emergency evacuation in the insurance policies because I have Medjet. The price seems reasonable to me for my peace of mind.

matnikstym

if you are in a serious medical condition, you will still go to the nearest hospital, then once they determine you are o.k. to fly from there, medjet will take over? I can't imagine getting trampled by an elephant say, and waiting to get to the U.S. for treatment. There are no 747 landing strips in the middle of the bush.

mp413

That sounds right...I guess the difference is without MedJet you would just stay at that nearest hospital unless you could afford to pay to get home yourself. And then in addition you need Flying Doctors if you're going to be anywhere too remote for MedJet to pick you up - right?

The other thing I'm wondering is, Medjet has a disclaimer that they won't pick you up in a country for which the State Dept. has issued a travel advisory. The State Dept. seems to have advisories for most African countries...

moremiles

From what I understand, Flying Doctors doesn't cover too large an area-I think it was discussed in a previous thread.

matnikstym

on the insuremytrip.com webpage I compared different companies as far as medical evacuation. most will fly you home after your release, some on a stretcher, some not. it's always good to compare before buying as it's not always apples to apples.

hetismij

Amref Flying Doctors cover anywhere within 1000km of Nairobi.
If you don't need an evacuation, and God forbid that you should, then your membership is turned into a donation so a local can be helped. Tourist membership for 14days cost 30 dollars, 2 months cost 50 dollars - a small price to pay in comparison with the cost your trip.

mp413

Yes I'm definitely going to get the Flying Doctors membership, I will be w/in 1000km of Nairobi for a good part of my trip. But hetismij thanks for letting me know they convert your fee into a donation if you don't end up using their services - that's an added incentive!

sandi

As Dennis mentions, god forbid something terrible happens and you are lifted out of the bush by Flying Docs (Kenya & Tanzania, but do check with Amref for the exact places you'll be to be sure you're covered), you'll be taken to hospital in Nairobi. At that time you contact your insurer (or someone at the hospital does). In consultation with the attending physician a decision is made for treatment. Then once you are deemed stable, it's rare that if you have to get home, your insurer won't get you home. Often they send someone to escort you and even allow a family member to join the escort.

Granted, if it's a broken leg, you need more than one seat; if on a stretcher, also more than one seat.

The decision to take our Medjet, in addition, is personal, but it's a good idea to consider the cost (which for a single trip is quite reasonable over and above your other insurance). But remember, Medjet doesn't cover your medical care in country.

As to whether you can get medical/dental care without evacuation, not sure. These two usually come together, and again, compared to a fully Comprehensive policy that covers cancellation, interruption, flight/baggage delay, baggage loss, as well as medical/dental and evacuation... you'll have to check.

Also, while checking Medjet, ascertain whether the one-time premium will cover you for 4/months. If not, and you choose Medjet, you might have to purchase an annual 1/yr plan.

Duane

Here's a potentially silly question. The Flying Doctor membership is $15 if within 500 Km of Nairobi and $30 if within 1000 Km. How can you tell how far away that is. OK, I know, 500 Km, but in city and or area terms, how far away.

The farthest we will be away will be in he western Serengeti at Kirawira. Any idea how to find out how far that is? It's only $30 extra dollars, but hey it's $30 extra dollars.
Thanks,
Duane

mp413

Hi Duane, I was wondering that too...I ended up just using a ruler and the map in my Lonely Planet - a pretty rough method no doubt but it gave me a sense. Kirawira isn't on my map but using my ruler all of Serengeti is well w/in 500 km of Nairobi (probably more like 300 km). You could also just email them and ask about your location specifically, they are probably used to queries about safari locations: [email protected].

sandi

Since Flying Docs is based in NBO, if visiting Tanzania, you pay for both KEN and TNZ, so believe that's $30/person. If only Kenya, (not north up Lake Turkana way), then it's half that. If visiting Southern Tanzania, then it's $50.

Amref has a schedule of rates and when you advise where you'll be visiting, they'll tell you how much!

mp413

Hi Sandi,

So the rates Duane cites (from the bottom of this page: http://www.amref.org/index.asp?PageID=74) are not the whole story?

lenlu

I think it's critical to note what Sandi says about MedJet not covering medical costs in the country and only evacuation. I doubled up with two insurance policies. We talk a lot about camera equipment and other necessities while on safari and I think medical care and insurance should be paramount. Just my perspective.

Diamantina

I called MedJet on Friday to get some clarification. You have to be hospitalized before they will evacuate you to wherever you like, including to as far as your hometown. The idea is once you are hospitalized your condition can be stabilized so that you can then be transported by MedJet, which apparently is a jet ambulance service that uses their own jets (I do not know whether they own, lease or rent these), not commercial flights. The phone rep also told me that the first step of hospitalization means that your condition is serious. He told me of clients who were not seriously injured or ill trying to abuse the service. So I quizzed him about various conditions under which they would evacuate a client, such as a broken leg. He said that the necessity of surgery would certainly qualify the client for an evacuation, which, for me, was a relief since we are thinking of going to Mozambique and, should anything happen to us there, we would not want to have surgery there. We would prefer to come home. I also phoned American Express on Friday to inquire about their travel medical insurance and it is quite reasonable but their evacuation is only to an "adequate medical facility." Who's to say what's adequate? Maybe they would consider a public hospital in Maputo adequate, but I might not. I also called my primary health insurer here in California to find out if they would cover medical treatment abroad and they said yes, but only if all paperwork was translated into English by the hospital--plus I still have to meet my high deductible and copayments. How easy would this be? So I think we will get MedJet for evacuation and arrange with American Express for other types of travel coverage including coverage for medical treatment. As I recall, MedJet costs $350 for a couple under 65 for a year. I also contacted AAA, which recommended Access America. I have had a chance to speak with them yet.

sandi

mp-

Those Amref rates for tourists are about it for max of 2/months, but I believe (correct me if I'm in error) will be in-country longer, or is it less than 2/mo Ken/Tnz, but 4/mos total? Best to contact Amref for your specific details.

cary999

Diamantina - thanks for sharing your info. Such clarification is good because there can be huge misunderstandings about insurance coverage. It always seems to be difficult to know what to kind of insurance to get and how much. And then I cross my fingers on one hand hoping I don't need it. And then cross them on the other hand in case I do need it and hoping it is what I need!!!!
regards - tom

wintersp

On the asia forum, there is a lot of information re this subject. Search the forum and, in particular, Kathie's posts re evacuation insurance. One of the many hidden problems with med evac is the hidden cap on the amount - often not even half to get you home!