Travel insurance - medical part question
 

Was not sure how to phrase the title.

If a person is in emergency situation abroad (broken bone, for example) and has medical insurance only, an ambulance picks him up and takes to the nearest hospital.

If a person has a travel insurance and it has "medical evacuation to the nearest hospital" isn't this the same?

Is there any difference between the two?

Medical evacuation is used when the nearest facility cannot handle or service the need. For instance, a coworker was attacked in Belize, her skull cracked and other atrocities, and she was airlifted back to the US. That would be medical evacuation.

Oh, I see. Thank you, TravelNut, and I hope your co-worker is feeling better.

Ask the insurance carrier the particulars of their policy.

Who decides if evacuation is necessary?
Who decides when evacuation is safe?
Who decides the form of evacuation transport (commercial or private aircraft or whatever)?
Who decides what medical personnel and support will travel with the patient?
Who is allowed to travel with the patient (family member, unrelated travel partner)?

I have a policy with MedJet Assist which I've never had to use (thank God). I think their policy terms are very clear.

For what it's worth, when Lee was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Nice there was no charge. They were shocked when I even asked about it. Local ambulance service is "free" and considered the same as police or fire. They were surprised that we have to pay for ambulances in the US.

It was a few years ago...but your thoughtfulness is appreciated.