If you or a loved one require emergency medical transport, it can be extremely expensive. That’s where medical transport membership programs come in. In this article, we will discuss the benefits and features of medical transport membership programs as they relate to travelers.
These programs are designed to provide members with access to air ambulance services worldwide, staffed by expert teams, in the event of a medical emergency.
What is a Medical Transport Membership Program?
Medical transport membership programs are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide peace of mind for a reasonable price. For a short-term, monthly or annual fee, members hospitalized far from home (or not-so-far, some programs only require you be hospitalized more than 150 miles from home or more) are able to be moved, all expenses covered, to the hospital of their choice at home.
These emergency transport membership programs are typically run by experts using a global network of helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft, and they are staffed by experienced medical professionals. Medical transportation membership programs often offer add-on services for an additional fee, such as crisis and security response.
As more people become aware of the benefits of medical transport membership programs, it is likely that their popularity will continue to grow.
Benefits of A Medical Transport Membership Programs
Medical transport membership programs are particularly beneficial for those who travel extensively or to remote or rural areas. In the event of a serious medical emergency, especially one that may require extensive treatment and recovery, transportation to the hospital of your choice at home could make all the difference in both your care and comfort.
While we all know that COVID is still a lot of people’s main concern, you may also have heard about the increasing number of legionnaires’ disease cases in hotels around the world. Recent cases have been reported in Hawaii, New Jersey, Greece, the Canary Islands and Morocco. It’s thought that hotels being closed during lockdown may have led to an increase in harmful bacteria in bathrooms and swimming pools. Travelers may be at risk of serious pneumonia as a result.
Should you end up in a hospital, these programs provide you with access to air ambulance services to get you moved to a hospital at home. This could otherwise be very expensive.
The membership fee entitles you to full air medical transport services. They make all the arrangements and pay all the bills, bedside-to-bedside.
What is Medjet?
One of the most well established medical transport programs is by Medjet. This premier medical transport and travel security membership program offers two kinds of membership: MedjetAssist and MedjetHorizon.
Available to those living in the United States, Canada and Mexico, these membership programs have the following benefits:
- Hospital-to-hospital medical transfer for members, regardless of medical necessity.
- Medjet membership includes COVID transport benefits, so
- Members choose to which medical facility at home they’ll be moved.
- All-expenses paid air medical transport in the U.S. and abroad (if hospitalized over 150 miles from home).
- Covers both personal and business travel.
- Travel medical emergency referrals, monitoring, telephone interpretation and message relay.
- Transfer of mortal remains.
In addition, the MedjetHorizon membership includes the following benefits:
- Ground ambulance and specialty hospital transfer (under 150 miles).
- 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.
- Trip intelligence and e-alerts.
- Legal referrals.
What’s The Difference Between Medical Transport Memberships and Travel Insurance?
Firstly, a medical transport membership isn’t the same as having travel insurance or platinum card coverage. You need travel insurance to cover trip costs in case of cancellation or interruption, and to cover hospital bills if you do get hospitalized.
Travel insurance also has medical evacuation coverage, but that’s only to the nearest hospital capable of treating you and stabilizing you in an emergency, and you’ll get no say in where you are treated. This type of medevac coverage only includes transportation to the closest appropriate medical hospital.
Travel insurance will not cover the cost of getting you to your preferred hospital near your home, unless they and your current hospital agree that the move is medically necessary.
Medjet can move you to your home hospital, regardless of whether your current facility is “acceptable” or not, and regardless of whether this medical repatriation is deemed necessary or not. What’s more, there are no claim forms to fill in and no out of pocket expenses.
All the necessary logistical arrangements are made by Medjet for its members, including any ground transport and flights. They will also liaise with your family and your destination hospital, and there are no out of pocket costs for you to cover.
Having said that, travel insurance is also essential and can save you a lot if you ever need to claim for issues such as lost luggage.
How Much Does Medjet Cost?
The membership fee for Medjet is surprisingly affordable. Short-term MedjetAssist memberships are available from $99, while annual MedjetAssist memberships start at $295 for an individual or $399 for a family.
Short-term MedjetHorizon memberships start at $184 for individuals or $314 for a family. You can find out more about the different membership options on the Medjet website. Just remember to enroll before you travel.
In Conclusion: Medical Transport Membership Programs
If you’re looking for peace of mind and a way to save money on potential medical transportation costs, these membership programs can be a great option. Knowing that you and your family members are covered with hospital-to-hospital transport in the event of an emergency is very reassuring.
Medical transportation membership is the best way to be prepared for any eventuality. So sign up today and see how easy it is to take advantage of all that these programs have to offer.
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