Hello: We (two of us) expect to be in South Africa and possibly Mozambique for about four weeks. After reading about medical travel insurance in Conde Nast Traveler (March 2007), we decided that it would probably be a good idea to have medical travel insurance, in addition to, or instead of, just ordinary travel insurance. (We are covered by Blue Shield here in California, but we do not believe this will cover us abroad. We also have Diver's Alert Network coverage that covers us in the event of a diving or snorkeling injury.) The article recommended a few companies, which I have since researched on the Internet. MEDEX seems to be the best choice overall. Does anyone have any experience with this company? Previously, we had been planning to purchase Access America Travel Insurance through AAA, but it does not include travel health insurance. Any thoughts on this?

Access America does cover emergency medical care. I am currently holding a policy through AAA. It covers to $50,000.

I should have added that quite a few posters including myself also carry Medjet Assistance. Some travel insurance companies will only evacuate you to the "nearest suitable facility". If you have the bad luck of experiencing a very serious injury or sickness Medjet will bring you home.

Thank you very kindly for the responses. The Conde Nast article also mentioned MedJet. I looked at their website and their medical evacuation plan is clearly the best--they will take you to the hospital of your choice once you are hospitalized, but they do not provide health coverage, as well. Perhaps there is no plan that would cover both. It sounds like you have both Access America and MedJet. Yes, this would be ideal, but we are already paying an outrageous fortune for our primary health insurance (despite the fact that we are both healthy so far), that I guess I was hoping that we could just go with one medical travel insurance company (that offers both emergency health coverage and evacautation to a private hospital) to save a bit, especially given that we travel very little. I think I will have to call MedJet, Access America and MedEx, as well as Blue Shield--to get more details! These policies, with all their clauses and conditions and exceptions, are such a tricky thing. Just like you, we will probably go with both Access America and MedJet!

Do you have an American Express card? If you do, you can purchase EXTREMELY reasonable coverage which includes evacuation insurance. I think I paid $109 for myself for $150,000 in coverage. They have family plans also. You can call 888-284-5187 for more information. Mike

Diver's Alert Network insurance covers any travel accident/emergency away from home. Read the details of the policy more closely. Its a great deal and I have read of several people on Fodor's who don't dive, but have gotten the policy anyway as it offers medevac insurance at a great price.