How This Membership Saved One Traveler $199,000.

And it's a travel product you've probably never heard of.

Originally published October 6, 2022 on Travel & Leisure

By Stefanie Waldek 

If you've purchased travel insurance, as many have amid the pandemic, how closely have you read your policy?

It turns out that many travel insurance plans, as well as insurance provided by credit cards, only partially cover medical transportation. Your transportation to the nearest acceptable medical facility is typically covered, but if you want to fly to any other hospital — say, one closer to home or one that's well-regarded for a certain specialty — you're on the hook for the bill.

That's where an emergency medical transportation plan comes in, as travel advisor Carol Oken of Duffle and Compass learned when she was transported from Malawi, in southeast Africa, to Chicago for surgery. The medical transportation would've cost her just shy of $200,000, but with Medjet air medical transport coverage, her out-of-pocket costs were $0. Oken's transportation was the most expensive airlift Medjet has ever facilitated and covered the costs of.

Medjet goes a (considerable) step beyond the average travel insurance; the medical transportation company says that "one in 30 trips end in a medical emergency," per its website, and membership essentially gets travelers airlifted out of their destination and to a medical facility. Annual membership is available, but short-term membership can be used to cover specific trips.

                            COURTESY OF CAROL OKEN

"While staying at Kaya Mawa, a beautiful property on an island in Lake Malawi, I missed a step in my room and fell. I fractured my hip and was unable to stand or walk," Oken told Travel + Leisure. Oken was initially admitted to a hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, but the facility was unable to perform the surgery she needed on her hip. 

Her Medjet coverage facilitated an air ambulance from Lilongwe to Chicago, her home city, where she could see a specialist for the medical procedure. As an African travel specialist, Oken has had short-term Medjet coverage at various points over the past 15 years.

"Medjet took a lot of information from me and talked to my attending physician in Lilongwe. They also coordinated with my husband, who was in touch with an orthopedic trauma surgeon and hospital in Chicago where I was expected," Oken explained. "Once Medjet had the evacuation plans in place, they communicated with everyone. The next day, I left Lilongwe on an air ambulance with a doctor, a nurse, and two pilots."

The total bed-to-bed cost of that transportation was $198,989, all of which was covered by her membership. For comparison, the cost of an entry-level Medjet Assist membership, which includes all-expenses-paid medical air transport all over the world and allows members to select their destination hospital, is $99 for an eight-day plan. An annual plan costs $295. There are no pre-existing exclusions for members under 75 years old.

Like traditional travel insurance, Medjet has a variety of membership plans that range in both coverage type and duration of coverage; the idea isn't that Medjet replaces traditional travel insurance but supplements it. The premium membership, Medjet Horizon, includes access to a 24/7 security network that can assist with evacuations for a range of safety threats, including natural disasters.

"After missing one step with a terrible result, I’m the first to say it is totally worth it," Oken said.

Learn more about Medjet membership here and travel insurance here.

We have found that many of our members have been calling to ask similar questions about State Department Level 4 designations, and about our global COVID transport process. We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions, and had them answered by Medjet’s Chief Operating Officer, John Gobbels:

Is This (That, and That) Country Covered? It’s Designated a “Level 4”...
While we know our Rules & Regulations contain language limiting the services to destinations designated a Level 4 (do not travel), and in some instances Level 3 (reconsider travel) by the U.S. Department of State. If a country you would like to travel to is a Level 4 only for COVID-19, membership benefits will still be offered. If a country is deemed a Level 4 due to extreme violence, crime or terrorism such as Haiti, or designated a war zones such as Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq, those Level 4 countries are restricted from membership benefits. Because the State Department Advisories as well as entry requirements and conditions seem to be constantly evolving, you are encouraged to check on your specific destinations by visiting the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories website prior to your departure.  For all other questions, you are always welcome to contact our Membership Services team at 800.527.7478 Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00PM CST, Saturday 9:00-4:00 (but our transport/emergency line is open 24/7).

How Does A COVID-19 Transport Work? How long does it take?
We were the first to add transport for COVID-19 in October of 2020, at no additional cost to our members. We expanded it to global coverage in July of 2021, so COVID-positive transports are nothing “new” for Medjet. A COVID-19 transport works exactly like a regular transport ~ if you are hospitalized, we provide medical transfer to your hospital of choice at home. COVID-19 transport does require specialized isolation equipment, and it may take additional time to file all appropriate paperwork through the CDC and to secure a bed at the receiving facility. Transport of COVID-positive patients is a tightly controlled process with a lot of governmental agency and individual country criteria to process.

During my trip, if the local hospitals are full but the ER has determined I should be admitted, would that qualify for a transport?
Another big concern of our members seems to be about what would happen if they "require hospitalization, but there are no inpatient beds available where they are. Would we move them from an ER to a hospital at home?” That answer is yes! If a member is hospitalized in the Emergency Department and requires continued inpatient hospitalization, but there are no inpatient beds available at that facility, assuming all other transport criteria is met, membership benefits will be provided.

Can A (Spouse / Child / Parent) Ride in the Air Ambulance Too?
All air ambulance transports are subject to weight limits and safety protocols. COVID-19 transports may require specialized equipment and Medjet will make every effort to return a family member or traveling companion with the member. However, given the additional weight of isolation pods or other potentially necessary equipment, Medjet cannot guarantee that additional passengers will be permitted. The safety of the patient, crew and aircraft always come first.

If I just TEST POSITIVE for COVID-19, will you bring me home?
If you just test positive for COVID-19 and are not hospitalized, you are not eligible for transport under your membership benefits. Most travel insurance “trip interruption” benefits may cover the extended hotel stays for quarantine, and possibly rebooking of your return tickets. Based on call volume, a large majority of our members seem to be less concerned with travel delays, and more concerned with not getting “stuck" in a hospital out of town, or out of the country. Medjet does offer transport for simply testing positive, but this is only available outside of the membership, on a fee for service basis.

An additional note to members: It has become increasingly more difficult to clear COVID-19 patient flights with the CDC. The CDC recently activated a new COVID-19 desk, with additional paperwork filing and entry protocols for air ambulances carrying COVID-positive patients. Properly containing and moving a COVID-positive patient should be taken very seriously from beginning-to-end. Medjet agrees with the protocols put in place and works with our affiliates and the CDC to meet all entry requirements. Please be aware of any company promising they can “circumvent the CDC”. This new CDC desk and filing process was created because of companies trying to do just that.

Welcome back to travel and stay safe out there! 

We’re here if you need us,

John Gobbels

VP and COO, Medjet 

One of our most frequently asked questions is “Why do I need a Medjet membership if I already have travel insurance?” The answer is simple ~ most health and travel insurance will get you to the “nearest acceptable” hospital **(and pay the hospital bills)**, but unless it is deemed “medically necessary” to move you further, that nearby hospital is likely where you’ll stay. 

Medjet gets you moved to your hospital of choice at HOME (and pays the transport bill), regardless of “medical necessity”. There are no “acceptable facility” clauses, no claim forms, no cost caps and no surprise bills after the transport. 

We always recommend people have travel insurance AND a Medjet Membership...so do hundreds of travel experts! 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “You never think it’s going to happen to you. But if it does, it’s the best protection you can have.” Lanita Carter, Member 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “If you're looking for coverage that goes above and beyond what most companies offer, you'll want to consider Medjet —  especially if you're concerned about the cost of a medical evacuation.” Nomadic Matt

Do You Have Other Questions About Medjet?

Click HERE to visit our FAQ page.

"As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widely available, the rules for travel continue to shift," says Eugene Delaune, an emergency physician and medical director for travel insurance provider Allianz Partners. “With summer soon approaching and everyone itching with the travel bug, you’ll want to feel confident when you take that first post-lockdown trip." Here's what Jan Howell is doing. She had to cancel a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last year. She rescheduled her vacation for next month.

The Medjet transport process is simple. If a member is hospitalized more than 150 miles from their primary residence (yes, it works for both domestic and international travel), they call us. Our transport team will contact the attending physician at the member's current hospital, and begin the assessment process. If the member requires continued hospitalization, and is stable for transport, and a bed has been secured at the hospital they wish to be moved to, Medjet begins arranging transport. We arrange and pay for everything, bedside-to-bedside. You can find full details about transport criteria in our Rules & Regulations, and click the video below to see more about our process. 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “Medjet handled my transfer with both impressive efficiency and true compassion…”  Laurie Chandler, Member 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “I heard voices in the hallway…they’re here! Medjet is here!”  Jeannie Walla, Member

How Does Transport for COVID-19 Work?

Transport for COVID-19 works the same as a regular transport, there is just added specialized equipment and additional precautions taken.

Do You Have Other Questions About Medjet?

Click HERE to visit our FAQ page.

Repost from The Points Guy on January 11, 2021

By: Katie Genter

Travelers face various health and safety risks while on the road. And, especially as travel restarts amidst the coronavirus pandemic, many travelers are increasingly aware of these risks. As such, now is a great time to understand what your travel insurance covers and why you might also want to have a medical transport membership before your next trip.

Most travel insurance covers emergency medical evacuation to the nearest hospital that can treat you. But the traveler isn’t always allowed to choose the hospital. And most travel insurance won’t move you to another hospital unless the move is absolutely medically necessary. So you could end up stuck far from home at a hospital you didn’t choose if your injury or illness requires an extended hospitalization.

Luckily, that’s where a Medjet medical transport membership could help. Specifically, Medjet members can ask to be transferred to a home hospital of their choice regardless of whether an insurance company deems the current facility acceptable and regardless of medical necessity. Let’s take a closer look at Medjet memberships, how they differ from travel insurance and why you might want to enroll before your next trip.

What does a Medjet medical transport membership cover?

Before I hit the road as a digital nomad back in 2017, I carefully studied many types of travel insurance and medical transport memberships. In short, there are a lot of options.

If you’re just starting your research, it’s essential to understand that a medical transport membership is different than travel insurance. I’ll discuss the differences in detail in the next section. But first, let’s consider what a Medjet membership covers.

There are two types of Medjet medical transport memberships: MedjetAssist and MedjetHorizon. Both memberships include the following medical transport benefits:

• Hospital-to-hospital medical transfer regardless of medical necessity
  • All-expenses paid air medical transport in the U.S. and abroad (on trips atleast 150 miles from home)
  • Including for COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the 48 contiguous United States, Canada, Caribbean, Costa Rica and Mexico (Medjet may expand this coverage to additional regions)
• You decide to which medical facility you’ll be moved
  • You can choose one at home or a specialty hospital in your home country
• Travel medical emergency referrals, monitoring, telephone interpretation and message relay
• Transfer of mortal remains

Meanwhile, the MedjetHorizon membership offers the following additional benefits:

• 24/7 travel security response and evacuation services due to political threat, terrorism, natural disaster, pandemic and violent crime
• 24/7 crisis response to kidnap for ransom, disappearance, wrongful detention, blackmail and extortion
• Emergency medical cash advance
• Ground ambulance and specialty hospital transfer (under 150 miles)
• Trip intelligence and e-alerts
• Legal referrals

MedjetAssist and MedjetHorizon memberships are both available with various coverage lengths. For example, you can buy a short-term membership with 8-, 15-, 21- or 30-day coverage. Or you can buy an annual membership for yourself or your family. Likewise, there are expatriate, collegiate, corporate, domestic and motorcycle options.

Membership prices vary based on the options you select. Luckily, it’s straightforward to price out memberships on Medjet’s website. In well under a minute, I was able to price out multiple options.

For example, I could purchase a one-year MedjetAssist membership for myself that allows multiple international or domestic trips of up to 90 days each for $295. And I could purchase a family version of this MedjetAssist annual membership for $399. If I wanted a one-year annual MedjetHorizon membership that allows multiple international or domestic trips of up to 90 days each, it would be $444 for me or $578 for a family version.

Why you need travel insurance and a Medjet membership

Medjet’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President John F. Gobbels noted that even before the coronavirus pandemic, more than 10 million travelers were hospitalized every year. The Merck Manual on Foreign Travel states that 1 in 30 people traveling abroad requires emergency care.

So, it’s worth buying a travel insurance policy. Or, in some cases, you may decide to rely on travel protections provided by select credit cards. In either case, you may be eligible for trip interruption reimbursement, medical evacuation to the nearest hospital and payment of initial hospital bills.

But, a Medjet membership can transport you to your hospital of choice at home — which is what many people prefer if they are hospitalized while traveling. Getting home can mean better care and full access to your health insurance network, which can keep you below the relatively low caps on many travel medical policies.

Medical transport benefits also work on domestic travel. Your health insurance coverage might work in other cities. But, similar to travel insurance, it typically won’t get you moved to a hospital closer to home. And, being stuck in a hospital a few states away can be just as unsettling as being stuck half-way around the world.

Gobbels noted that hospital-to-hospital transportation could cost between $30,000 and $180,000 without Medjet. So the cost of a Medjet membership can be well worth it.

Why having a Medjet membership is vital for travel now

A Medjet membership will be more valuable than ever as travelers hit the road post-pandemic.

Firstly, Medjet memberships cover COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the 48 contiguous United States, Canada, Caribbean, Costa Rica and Mexico. So if you are hospitalized due to COVID-19 in one of these countries, Medjet will transport you to a home hospital of your choice for treatment. Of course, the hospital must accept you and your transport must not violate any quarantine requirements.

Additionally, the long-lasting economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic in some regions may result in safety issues. Some travelers may seek out experiences farther off the beaten tourist path once travel resumes, which might increase their risk of safety concerns and threats. Luckily, MedjetHorizon membership offers 24/7 crisis response as well as safety and security protections that aren’t usually included by travel insurance plans.

Related: Making a list and checking it twice: 6 things one TPG editor does before every trip

Bottom line

I’m a relatively experienced traveler. However, the few times my husband has needed to visit hospitals around the world, ranging from Australia to Pakistan, it hasn’t been easy to navigate. Among other issues, we’ve encountered language barriers, a wrong diagnosis and a drastic quality gap between public and private hospitals.

So I can imagine how difficult an extended hospital stay might be in some destinations. As such, I can appreciate the value provided by a Medjet medical transport membership. If you enroll in a Medjet membership, you’ll hopefully never need to use it. But the ability to be transported back to doctors you know, and a hospital you trust, could be extremely valuable if you end up hospitalized far from home.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/medjet-medical-transport/ 

Medjet Adds Medical Transport for COVID-19 as a Membership Benefit for Travelers (as of October 19, 2020)

By John Gobbels, COO Medjet

There’s nothing more American than packing up the car and taking a family summer road trip. With so many travel restrictions still in place, this is sure to be the summer that the “Great American Road Trip” returns.

Whether you’re headed down the road to the nearest beach, across state lines for a cool mountain getaway, or all the way across the country to hit a few National Parks, making sure you get your family there safely is likely top of mind.  By following these summer road trip tips, you’ll help ensure you’ve thought of everything to keep your family safe while you’re on the road.

I think we’ve all gotten enough “wash, wash, wash your hands and be careful where you stay, and what you touch” tips throughout this COVID crisis, so I’m going to stick with some of the more “old-school” road trip tips (but please do remember to wash frequently, pack plenty of sanitizer for when you can’t, and keep your hands away from your face).

Tune up the car

Before leaving on your road trip, take your car for a tune-up. Make sure all oil and fluid levels are topped off and that the tires are properly inflated. Consider that your car may soon be under stress it’s not used to, like driving up and down mountain passes, so make sure your brakes are working properly as well.

If you do experience some minor glitch while driving, it helps to know simple car maintenance techniques like how to use jumper cables, how to refill your wiper fluid, how to check the air pressure in your tires and how to change a flat tire—so brush up on your maintenance skills before you leave. Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and the inside and outside of your windshield.

 Many newer cars come with their own roadside assistance.  Familiarize yourself with the coverage and make sure the emergency numbers are handy.  If you don’t have this coverage, consider joining a roadside assistance service like American Automobile Association (AAA). As a member, AAA will come to your rescue should you lock your keys in the car, get a flat tire, or break down.

Make sure car seats and boosters are properly installed

The annual family road trip time is a good time to double check that car and booster seats are properly installed and appropriately fitted to your child. In most cities, local hospitals or fire stations provide free car seat fittings and instillations. Schedule an appointment before you hit the road and travel with peace of mind.

Bring a map

You may plan to use GPS to navigate to your destination, but you never know when you may lose signal, cell phone service or your GPS might fail. Good, old-fashioned maps won’t lose power and are reliable no matter what goes wrong, so be sure to bring one along. Compasses are just plain cool, so grab one of those as well!

Consider the weather

We’re all aware of the dangers of driving in inclement weather. Severe summer weather can often produce heavy downpours, tornados and flash floods. If the weather looks threatening, tune in to a local radio station for updates and keep your ears peeled for storm sirens and alerts on your cell phone. It’s always good advice to stay on main roads and highways if possible and try to avoid back country roads when you can—especially if you’re driving in unfamiliar areas that may have the threat of flash floods.

If you find yourself in storm conditions that force you to stop driving, make sure you pull all the way off of the highway and turn on your hazard lights. If you are stranded and have to run your vehicle for any reason, do so for 10 minutes every hour and make sure windows are open slightly to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. If you find you’ll be spending the night in your car, illuminating the interior lights will not use as much battery as your exterior light, but still provide a visual indicator to rescuers. 

Have a travel safety & sanitizer kit

You should always have a safety kit in your car, but make sure your kit is well stocked before leaving for your summer road trip. Your kit should include warm blankets, water and first aid items, a small flashlight, flares, a battery operated radio and an emergency contact card. It’s also a good idea to keep a car safety hammer near the driver’s seat. If you happen to be in an accident or your car is submerged in water, the car safety hammer can be used to break the window.

If you are prescribed important medication, keep it in the car with you and not in the trunk in the event that your trunk becomes inaccessible.

Pack a roll of paper towels, some alcohol wipes and a small bottle of cleaning or sanitizing spray.   Use gloves or a paper towel as a barrier, or wipe down the pump handle with an alcohol wipe, before pumping gas. If you stop at a hotel, even if it boasts about its cleanliness protocols, be sure to wipe down counter tops, the TV remote control, and anything else commonly handled. Don’t set anything that will potentially come near your face directly on countertops, use a washcloth or hand towel to set things on. 

Leave your phone on for cell location

Should your family experience an emergency in a rural environment where communication with the outside world is not possible, remember that cell phone location technologies are extremely helpful in locating missing people. If you’re stranded in your car, keeping your cell phone on will help rescuers pinpoint your location. However, when your phone is out of power it will no longer be helpful in locating you. Keep portable phone chargers and power cords in your car so you’re not stuck with a drained battery in an emergency (don’t forget to fully charge them in advance)!

If you’re tired, stop driving

It seems like an obvious tip, but according to the CDC there are 72,000 crashes and nearly 6,000 fatal crashes due to drowsy driving each year. A study by AAA found that the risks of fatigued driving are comparable to drunk driving. We know it can be tempting to push through to your destination, even when you’re exhausted, but the risks aren’t worth it. If you begin to feel fatigued, get your family to a hotel and resume your drive in the morning.

Let someone know your destination and when you plan to arrive

Communicating your travel plans with someone back home is a crucial piece of your safety plan. Designate a friend or family member to share your itinerary with. If plans change, let them know. When you’ve stopped for the night, check in and share your location as well as your travel plans for the following day. These mundane details could be crucial in locating your family should you suddenly drop off the radar. 

Be prepared for a worst-case scenario

It’s hard to think about, but if your family were involved in an auto accident with injuries, or if someone should fall ill enough to land in the hospital, what is the long-term plan for returning back home? With an air-medical transport membership like Medjet, members who are hospitalized 150 miles or more from home can arrange medical transport back to their hometown hospital for free, after the cost of the membership (sounds expensive but it’s incredibly affordable…they start at $99). Your health insurance will only get you to the nearest “acceptable” medical facility and pay the bills for treatment there, but Medjet can arrange air medical transfer to your home hospital of choice, regardless of whether it’s deemed “medically necessary” or not. People don’t think about it, but being stuck in a hospital even a few states away can be just as bad as being stuck in a hospital half way around the world. Higher out of pocket costs, and the expenses of family member remaining nearby for any extended period of time, tend to cause significant family disruption and may very well break the bank. A medical transport membership for the whole family is worthwhile coverage to explore.

It can be stressful and overwhelming to think about what danger could befall your family while on the road. Hopefully, you’ll never find a need for this information, but following these safety tips will give you the confidence to handle a crisis, and a sense of comfort knowing that you are prepared for the unexpected. 

This guest post comes courtesy of John Gobbels, Chief Operating Officer of Medjet, an air medical transport and travel security membership program.  Gobbels is an expert in critical care transport, a parent, and an avid “overlander” (extreme road tripper).

This is devastating news. However it’s important to note that human beings and the systems they function in – whether business or society or the family unit – are basically resilient by nature. In other words, although some business travel organizations are witnessing their revenue streams come to a temporary halt, many are likely to find ways to survive in the short term and even thrive over the long haul.

Closing the Gaps

One of the most important things COVID-19 is teaching the industry is how to scrutinize gaps in travel risk management procedures and policies. Fortunately, there are plenty of travel industry leaders who are assisting in filling these much-overlooked cracks – and thereby transition to a new “normal.”

See how Medjet has helped thousands of corporations close the gap in their risk management strategy.

Strategic Forecasting

At the core of the COVID-19 crisis lies the need to communicate facts and educate businesses. “We’ve been educating in a number of key areas such as the importance of having traveler tracking, a solid communication plan, and a reporting mechanism in place. As an intelligence provider in the business of ‘people risk management,’ we’ve been providing executive level briefings to major companies and offering strategic forecasting on what are possible outcomes for the future,” says WorldAware business travel service’s President, Bruce McIndoe. “In a nutshell, we are looking at the next 18-plus months with multiple waves of the infection necessitating suppression actions – like work-from-home, physical distancing, stores staying closed – being ramped up and down,” McIndoe says. “Separate from that is the actual recovery of the travel industry. Climbing back economically will take years once people are comfortable getting back out on the road and countries open up to allow free movement.”

Why use the next 18-plus months as a timeline? This is based on several assumptions. “One is that when enough of the population – possibly 60 percent or 80 percent – is resistant to COVID-19, we may enter a state of ‘herd immunity.’ Unfortunately, no one knows exactly how long this will take because 1) we don’t know who is infected 2) who has recovered and become immune and, 3) who is still susceptible. This information can only emerge from widespread testing. We also don’t know if an infected person can get re-infected,” he continues.

Plan ahead with Medjet corporate memberships.

But what about those rumors of life “returning to normal” by summertime? “The data doesn’t tell us that COVID-19 is seasonal – or that it’s not. So it’s unclear how we can release millions of people from their homes and risk infecting them,” McIndoe cautions. “Best case scenario is to allow certain cohorts to go back to work, like we did essential hospital, police and fire staff, etc. But for the majority, work from home will be the norm,” he says.

“The same goes for the fall of 2020. With the regular influenza season in full force then, and a likely second COVID-19 wave, any relaxation may be short-lived, with us having to ramp up similar suppression strategies. This will have a major impact on students getting back to school and the November US elections.” All this will likely happen in fits and starts around the world, and it will be a bumpy ride.

Let’s Keep Talking

In a world of unknowns, it seems the best way to utilize this time of uncertainty is by reviewing your business resiliency plan and retooling your travel program for the new realities. For travel risk managers that means developing a coordinated policy in collaboration with HR, Medical and Security, within the backdrop of duty of care. It’s imperative to launch policies that are adaptable and proactive – not only if/when the next COVID-19 wave strikes, but when any other type of crisis hits.   

Learn how Medjet can elevate your Duty of Care solutions.

TRMs should also focus in on travel data and travel budgets. “This is a time for rebound,” reaffirms Seabrook, NH-based Private Jet Service’s CEO, Greg Raiff. “TRMs know the rules are changing and are searching for cost-effective, out of the box solutions. While [commercial] flights are reducing capacity today, they will soon be at higher flight loads again. Scheduled airlines will raise fares. Think about the exposure reduced, the time saved, and the non-cash value of delivering employees straight home without a connection in a large hub nor hotel accommodations [via private aviation].” 

When the pandemic turns the corner and business stages a comeback, how will this global experience have permanently altered the travel landscape?

     “As the COVID-19 crisis spread, we had a lot of healthy members anxious to get home,” says Michael Hallman, CEO of Medjet in Birmingham, AL. “When business travel does resume, I think there will be a much higher focus on health and safety solutions for travelers. End-to-end, door-to-door travel planning, vetting ‘safe’ destinations, ‘clean’ hotels, ‘trusted’ restaurants, ‘known’ cars and drivers, and elevated health event solutions.”

The time is now to prepare for that inevitable re-emergence of business

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT Business Travel Executive

“I’m familiar with getting sick or getting injured on the road. But NEVER in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I would slip and fall… on vacation…”
- Major League Baseball and All-Star Pitcher, Todd Jones

As many of our current members and business associates know, Medjet protects a wide variety of people when they travel: from some of the biggest celebrities and athletes (even the NFL when they play their games over seas), to Fortune 500 executives and small business road dogs, to leisure traveling individuals and families. Whether an injured member is a professional athlete, with high body performance needs who NEEDS to be transported home to a trusted team of sports medicine experts, or your every day traveler, who just WANTS to be transported home to a hospital they’re familiar with, and to doctors they trust, Medjet understands the value of getting our members there.

So too does professional baseball player Todd Jones.

Mr. Jones’ career has seen him pitching for the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins. We don’t get many of our pro athlete members willing to share their Medjet Transport Story publicly, so when Mr. Jones said “yes” we were over the moon to have him “pitching” for us!

Click the video below to see his story. When you’re done, you can click [here] to see more Medjet testimonial videos.

For more information on corporate / organizational / group rate coverage, you can click [here] or contact bmiller@medjet.com.

At Medjet, we receive a lot of thank you notes from our members after their transports, but this year marked the first time we have received a video about one of them.

It is an absolutely heartwarming story, a bit less about Medjet and a bit more about how small business owner Pem Jenkins has overcome tragedy to find a new outlook on life... and a "new normal." We are thankful to have played a small part in Pem's story, and are inspired entirely by his experience (and this film).

We are also grateful to his nephew, James, who was with Pem when the accident occurred, and has been by his side throughout a long and challenging recovery. James made the video, and is allowing us to share it. 

Click below to watch (and please feel free to share as well).

If you would like an opportunity to share your Medjet transport experience, please feel free to reach out to marketing@medjet.com. You can also leave us reviews on Google and Facebook. 

By: Laura Heidt and Paul Goodall, who watch over Medjet's Travel Advisor Accounts

We frequently get asked by Travel Advisors, who believe in Medjet and want their clients protected, 

"When do I introduce Medjet to my client?"

We thought we'd share what many of our most successful resellers have told us are "the right times" to bring up medjet memberships to your client!

Short-Term Trips 

At the time of booking - Short-Term memberships are more time sensitive and should be purchased at the time of the booking. If the date happens to change, the Medjet membership date range can be changed too. 

Big Trips (there are 2 times in your sales process to look out for):

1. When you begin planning the trip ~ you will discuss tickets and hotels, passports and visa needs, travel insurance, and can bring up Medjet.  Travel insurance, with trip cancellation/interruption and medical, is important, and introducing Medjet as “elevated" travel protection fits into the same conversation.  

2. At final payment – Unlike travel insurance, Medjet is not tied to a purchase period of 14 or 21 days from initial deposit. So if they declined in the planning process, there is time to bring it up again as you discuss their “final checklist”. 

Life Events (show them you think about them even when you're NOT currently scheduling a trip)!

As their personal travel advisor, you likely know about major life events, as well as their travel patterns. If they're heavy business travelers, sending a child off to college or camp, Medjet can help keep them safe. There are many opportunities to pick up the phone and have a conversation about the benefits of Medjet as an annual safety net for all of their journeys. 

by: Medjet Member ~ Chuck Wakefield

Last Year, I dipped the front wheel of my bike into the Pacific Ocean and embarked on a cross-America journey to the Atlantic on The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s “Road to Victories” fundraising and awareness ride. Over 50 days, 3,400 miles and a myriad of ups and downs (I was the only one of 6 full-trip riders actually fighting multiple myeloma), I had a lot of time to think about my life, my body, and my beliefs.

The lessons I learned are applicable to everyone:

1. There can still be peace in uncertainty

Living with cancer is unpredictable and cycling across the country is unpredictable too. When you live with cancer, you can’t control whether your body will respond to treatments. When you bike across the country, you can’t control the weather or the terrain in front of you. But no matter what happens with those external uncertainties, we can control our decision to find peace and joy in every moment.

2. You can fight pain for a bigger purpose

Whether undergoing chemo and a bone marrow transplant or biking through relentless rain and terrible elements to raise money for cancer research, pain can be endured for a greater purpose. 

3. Our bodies are resilient gifts

I’ve always been a proponent of “caring for the one body we are born into,” but on this ride I was reminded: if we treat our bodies well, they will reward us by completing daunting feats of endurance. Even when we fall ill, the body is capable of healing and resiliency. We are lucky to have these bodies and should treat them well. 

4. Our minds are powerful tools

Through meditation I have learned that our minds are the most powerful tools we have. Our minds can will our bodies up nearly vertical mountain passes and through grueling rounds of chemo. If we harness the power of the mind we are capable of surprising ourselves. 

5. It’s not what we face but how we respond

We all face challenges. At some point, you’ll get your own diagnosis or receive your own upsetting call. In that sense, being handed bad news is nothing special. What is special is the way we respond to setbacks. How will you fight? What will you learn from your difficult experience?

6. Facing scary things head-on takes their power away

I have faced many scary things in my life. Standing at the starting line of a 3,400-mile bike ride is scary. Receiving a diagnosis of incurable cancer is scary. But the idea of something is almost always scarier than the reality of it. When we face hard things head-on, we strip them of their power. Action is the best balm for fear. 

7. Support networks are powerful

In bicycle racing, the main pack of riders is called the peloton. Cycling close to other riders reduces drag and saves energy, making for an easier ride. No matter what life throws at you, from cancer to cross-country bike rides, facing challenges with a supportive group of people—your own personal peloton-- is key. In cycling and in life, it is easiest to get where you want to go when you have a robust support network.

8. Attitude is everything

During my cross-country ride there were times when I felt like a mountain pass would never end or the finish line might not appear. So, when negative thoughts began to roll in, I realigned my point of view. When I began to focus on the beautiful view instead of the challenging climb or the fact that I was strong enough to aim for a finish line at all, my attitude changed from one of frustration to one of determination. Many of life’s challenges become easier with a shift in perspective. 

9. It’s important to be prepared

I laid down the base work for this trip for years, so I knew I was prepared for my ride. I also knew that I had crashed motorcycles and bikes all over the world and broken 30 ribs while riding over the years. So for this trip, I enrolled in MedjetAssist Membership, knowing that if something happened along the way I could get back to my own doctors and hospital without the hassle of claims paperwork, “medical necessity” or “acceptable facilities” clauses, or other surprise costs and small print disclaimers that most insurances have. $0 to get home seemed like a bargain. 

ABOUT CHUCK WAKEFIELD:

Chuck Wakefield is a retired dentist and Army Colonel diagnosed with cancer in 2003.  He has been featured in multiple national publications, and is one of Parade Magazine’s “Inspiring Athletes Over 50”.  A former Pacific Northwest area resident, Chuck now resides in Grapevine, TX.

BY: Family Traveller Magazine (originally posted 3/5/19)

Recently, Family Traveller Magazine picked the (big) brain of Medjet’s COO, John Gobbels, for their article "The Dos and Don’ts of Buying Travel Insurance."

Whether you’re traveling for work or for pleasure, alone or with your family in tow, if the unfortunate happens, being properly covered can save you time, hassles, and a LOT of money.

Every year, more than 10-million travelers are hospitalized abroad. Millions more while traveling domestically. It’s hard to think about, but if you, or your family were involved in an accident, or if one of you became seriously ill and hospitalized while traveling, what would you do?

Here are the top excerpts from the full article (and yes, OF COURSE they recommend Medjet … hundreds of top travel experts do!)

DON'T SKIP OUT ON TRAVEL INSURANCE

Many travelers make the regrettable mistake of viewing travel insurance as an unnecessary cost. But passports get stolen, accidents happen, flights get delayed or canceled, airlines go on strike and luggage gets lost. For US residents, travel insurance for a family of four on a two week trip is, on average, as little as $200, which isn’t much considering the possible money you’ll save and the peace of mind you’ll gain. Trip protection, plus a travel medical component, is a must have.

DON'T ASSUME YOUR PLAN COVERS THE WHOLE FAMILY AUTOMATICALLY

Unless you’re traveling solo, make sure you choose a plan that covers the whole family (including children) and not just the policy holder. In most cases, a family insurance plan will be significantly cheaper than multiple individual plans. 

DO SHOP AROUND

As tempting as it may be to just choose the first or cheapest option, not all travel insurance companies offer the same protection. Some insurance policies don’t cover medical emergencies, and very few cover pre-existing medical conditions. If you’re a frequent traveler, or even expect to take two or more trips in a year, you will probably save money in the long run by purchasing an annual policy. Take the extra time to make sure that you’re making the smartest decision when it comes to buying travel insurance.

DO READ THE FINE PRINT

This should go without saying, but let’s be honest, how many of us actually read the fine print when making a purchase? Reading the terms and conditions means you can catch any loopholes that aren’t immediately obvious and could potentially invalidate your protection. Many policies don’t cover accidents that occur while intoxicated or those that occur in zones that your government has placed a travel advisory on. They might also require that you wear a helmet during certain activities or keep valuables on you at all times. Reading the fine print on your policy may seem like a headache—but it’s nothing compared to the headache you’ll have when you’re denied coverage simply because you weren’t aware that removing your life jacket for 5 minutes voided your insurance. Or that a moped is considered a motorcycle, therefore injury while riding one is not covered…

DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS TO LEARN HOW TO FILE A CLAIM

Research exactly how to file a claim prior to embarking on your travels. The last thing you need is any added stress or confusion when you’re in the thick of an incident abroad.

DO UNDERSTAND THE LIMITATION OF TRAVEL INSURANCE

In case of a medical emergency, most travel insurance policies won’t get you to your trusted home hospital. BTA’s, platinum card travel benefits, and domestic health insurance typically won’t either.  Most insurance "evacuation" coverage will send you to the nearest “acceptable facility.” And that may or may not be up to your own medical standards. Travel insurance plans also tend to have a pretty low cap out on medical expenses, so you could end up with a hefty medical bill if you can’t get transferred back to a hospital at home, and back and into your own health care coverage. So what can you do?

DO PURCHASE MEDICAL TRANSPORT PROTECTION SUPPLEMENTS

Purchasing a membership in a medical transport program like Medjet means you’ll be able to quickly fly back to your home hospital of choice, to your own doctors, and use your regular medical insurance. With memberships starting at just $99, Medjet protection is an absolute no-brainer when you consider that without Medjet, you could spend $30,000 - $180,000 on hospital-to-hospital transportation. Plus, with MedjetHorizon, you can also add security and crisis response coverage, covering things like (sorry, scary alert) natural disasters, disappearance, violent crime and other travel safety concerns.  This is exceptional peace of mind for anyone traveling to a destination that is a bit worrisome, or sending a child abroad to study.

Hopefully you’ll never have to use your travel protection plan, but this list should help make the task of purchasing travel protection for yourself and your loved ones a little less daunting.

The full article can be read here.

Here at Medjet, 2018 saw some of our most complicated (and most expensive, ever) retrievals of members from all over the world.  We actually welcome more of them in 2019, because that’s what we do ~ get our ill or injured members back home.  If you’ve ever had an emergency while traveling, I’m sure you can relate to the value of having someone, who treats you like a member, not a claim number, to call for help. We know that many of our members purchase Medjet for the big international trip, but we do a LOT of domestic transports too, so don’t forget that it works ANY time you are more than 150 miles from home. You never know when an illness or injury could happen!

We transported members from countries all over the world, including Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Portugal, Spain, Chile, and more. Of course, we also did lots of domestic transports, from North Carolina, California, Virginia, Texas, and everywhere in between. If you’ve ever wondered how our transports work, we have an excellent team of people who handle the entire process. There’s no paperwork trying to prove the transfer is “medically necessary” or that the hospital you’re unhappy being stuck in is not an “acceptable facility”… all  a hospitalized Medjet member has to do is pick up the phone and call us. Our transport team then consults with the current hospital’s attending physician and our Consult Physician to ensure the patient is stable for transport, that there will be a hospital bed available upon arrival, and decide whether to transport via air ambulance or business class commercial airline, with a Medical Escort Nurse attending. 

The illnesses and injuries that we saw were all over the board as well. Some of the reasons for hospitalization included broken bones, several adventure-related injuries (remember, we don’t exclude adventure travel!), skiing accidents, respiratory issues, stomach illnesses, motorcycle accidents, and many more. It’s cruise season, and each year we deal with a LOT of slip and fall injuries, so please remember to be extra cautious when embarking and disembarking the ship! 

We also did several mortal remains transports. These are the saddest transports we have to do, but it is a service we provide to all of our members if they expire while traveling. The last thing a family should have to deal with while grieving a loved one is coordinating their transport back home.

To give you a better idea of the massive value of your Medjet membership, the cost of these transports can be very expensive! Remember, we pay for the entire cost of transport, the member pays nothing! We had one injury (motorcycle related) where the member had paid $140 for short-term protection that saved the member  $140,000.  Other record breakers this year included $175,899 from Palanpur, India, $155,686 from Addu City, Maldives, and $132,800 from Chang Rai, Thailand.  We regularly see transports in the 6-figure range internationally and in the 5-figure range domestically.

Not a day goes by that we aren’t communicating with and helping our members, around the clock. Emergencies don’t wait, and as we always say--we hope you never need us, but we’re here when you do.

We wish you a happy, healthy and adventurous New Year!

Highest Regards,   

John Gobbels, COO

Here are a few tips from my time as a CIA officer that will help you avoid dangerous situations during your travels.

There is something very appealing about packing a bag and hopping on the first flight out of town—maybe because we never quite grow out of our childhood desire to run away. However, taking the time to do some research and plan a little before you go will help make even the most experienced traveler safer. Here are a few tips from my time as a CIA officer that will help you avoid death, prison, and hospital on your travels.

Before you go…

1. Leave copies of your travel information with someone you trust. Print out a copy of your passport and forward your flight itinerary and hotel information to them. Having someone who can verify your identity and travel plans will give police a place to start if something happens to you. Also, scammers targeting your family will sometimes claim that they have taken you hostage and demand a ransom. Knowing where you are staying and when you are traveling will help your friends and family avoid these scams.

Take the time to memorize your own travel information, too, because you cannot always count on a working or fully charged phone, or reliable internet.  

2. Don’t rule out the possibility of a medical emergency. We never anticipate having a health crisis while we are traveling, but it happens. Do your research on the quality of medical care in the country you are visiting, but also have a backup plan in case of sickness or an accident, such as Medjet, a medical transport and travel safety membership program. Most companies will only take you to the nearest adequate medical center, but for a reasonable annual fee starting at $99 for short-term coverage and $270 for year-round, Medjet will transport you to your hospital of choice if you wind up needing continuing medical care. It does not discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.

3. Research potential threats. As you prepare for your trip, knowing about potential threats or frequent crimes in the country you are visiting will help you remain alert while you are there. The Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security publishes important information on every country in the world, such as crime and safety reports and security warnings, and updates them regularly. The reports may be a little overwhelming to read because they include all potential risks, but they are accurate and will give you a good sense of what you should prepare for.

4. Get cash out to exchange once you arrive at your destination. You may find when you arrive that the airport ATMs are not working or they do not accept debit cards from your country of origin. Perhaps their taxis do not take credit cards. Suddenly, you have no way to pay to get out of the airport. Having even a little cash on you will give you enough time to figure out your next steps.

5. Take emergency phone numbers with you. Make sure you know the local equivalent of 9-1-1 in case of emergency. Look up your in-country embassy’s phone number and address before you leave and call them if you lose your passport while traveling or if you are the victim of a crime. If there is a natural disaster or a terrorist attack during your trip and you cannot get a hold of your family or friends, you can check in with the embassy.

6. Don’t bring anything you can’t stand to lose. It is easy to lose things when you are traveling, either because you misplace them or because they get stolen while you are on the move. Traveling is not the time to bring priceless heirlooms or anything that is one of a kind.

7. Learn phrases in the host language. Being able to communicate in the language of the country you are visiting will help you better navigate your surroundings if you find yourself in trouble, especially phrases like “Where is the nearest hospital?” or “I need help.” On the flip side, obstinately demanding that everyone speak in English will make you stand out to those looking to target tourists for crimes or other nefarious purposes.

There are many good language apps for your phone that will help you translate foreign languages on the spot, but Google Translate and iTranslate are particularly good, though you’ll have to pay more if you want to use iTranslate offline. Each can translate more than 100 different languages and both are free. When in doubt, appreciation is a universal language, so knowing at least how to say “please” and “thank you” in the host language will get you far.

8. Prevent potential health risks. Traveling is a great way to find every kind of germ and sickness imaginable. You may encounter diseases, like malaria, that are not common in your country. Find out what vaccinations or medicine you need before you go through the Center for Disease Control website. Build in extra time to visit your doctor because they may not have the right vaccine on hand. Gastrointestinal illnesses are common when traveling, because of new foods and poor water quality, so research what you should avoid.

While you’re there…

1. Minimize your profile, so you are not a target. Criminals often target tourists for things like petty theft or worse, and many travelers make it easy by doing things that make them stand out. Things like looking lost, holding a paper map on a sidewalk, wearing a camera over your neck, or speaking loudly in a language not native to where you are visiting may make you a target. Clothing can also draw attention to you—for example, American men wearing baseball hats in countries where that is unusual, or wearing obviously expensive items, like noticeable jewelry.

2. Don’t take unofficial forms of transportation. As soon as you exit the airport, watch out for people who approach you with what sounds like a great transportation deal. It might be a private tour at half the cost or a...

[Continue reading the full article here]