Costs of evacuation and repatriation

[New Jersey Pat]

We are planning a 42 day cruise and evaluating medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Would be grateful for information on the actual costs of evacuation and repatriation from anyone who has actually needed those services so that we can make an informed decision. 

 

[CNSJ]

That depends on a host of things.  Where are you and why are you being evacuated.  If you are in a major city like Lisbon, Rome, or Athens the answer will differ from if you are in Papua New Guinea or Spitsbergen.  It could be tens of thousands of dollars.  

[Babr]

You should know that in insurance language, evacuation means transferring you to the nearest appropriate hospital if the first facility is not capable of adequate care. Most often the patient is treated in country and returned home by commercial air, with a medical escort if necessary, when he is able to travel.

 

In extreme cases, the patient may be repatriated by air ambulance; but such a procedure requires the approval of the attending physicians, the receiving physician/hospital, and the insurance company. As you can imagine, this is reserved for exceptional cases because of the cost. The broker who often posts on CC insurance forum once gave a figure of about $130,000 as the most expensive he has seen.  I have not seen any numbers for repatriation of remains.

 

If you want more control over the decision, MedJet Assist is a medical transportation group offering memberships that give you access to transportation on request. There are still some restrictions, of course, but you can find the details on their website.

 

 

[zelker]

Pay attention to what @Babr posted above and make sure you understand what your insurance covers (this includes insurance through the cruise lines). 

 

In October of 2016, I fractured my femur in Tenerife (Canary Islands) literally 100 yards from the gangway (getting dark, terrible lighting, uneven asphalt surface).  Unbeknownst to us, our insurance (BC/BS) would only cover to get us to the closest hospital that could take care of me ... turns out, that was the little local hospital.  Say WHAT??!!??  There was no way I was having surgery in a second world country (hospital didn't have potable water or screens on the windows, there was limited A/C, and almost none of the staff spoke English and we speak no Spanish, food was worse than gas station premade food, sanitary procedures often left a lot to be desired ... you get the picture).  With the help of a "friend of a friend" who was an EMT in Florida and worked with several global companies to repatriate people around the world, we flew home on a private air ambulance that flew from Germany to pick us up from the Canaries and flew us to the hospital 5 minutes from our home in Colorado where I had a 4 hr surgery, months of rehab, and an amazing outcome.  There was no way I could fly on a commercial flight because my leg was in traction and I had to be flat on my back (yes, really good drugs were involved).  Cost out of pocket - $100,000!!  And we had to have family wire the money to Florida so he could wire it to the company in Germany before they'd even leave the ground.  I had an EMT and a doctor with me the entire flight who stayed with me until I was released to the ER here.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely!! Lesson learned the (VERY) hard way - we no longer travel without MedjetAssist.  

 

Edited August 19, 2023 by zelker

[Mary229]

13 minutes ago, zelker said:

Pay attention to what @Babrposted above and make sure you understand what your insurance covers (this includes insurance through the cruiselines). 

 

In October of 2016, I fractured my femur in Tenerife (Canary Islands) literally 100 yards from the gangway (getting dark, terrible lighting, uneven asphalt surface).  Unbeknownst to us, our insurance (BC/BS) would only cover to get us to the closest hospital that could take care of me ... turns out, that was the little local hospital.  Say WHAT??!!??  There was no way I was having surgery in a second world country (hospital didn't have potable water or screens on the windows, there was limited A/C, and almost none of the staff spoke English and we speak no Spanish, food was worse than gas station premade food, sanitary procedures often left a lot to be desired ... you get the picture).  With the help of a "friend of a friend" who was an EMT in Florida and worked with several global companies to repatriate people around the world, we flew home on a private air ambulance that flew from Germany to pick us up from the Canaries and flew us to the hospital 5 minutes from our home in Colorado where I had a 4 hr surgery, months of rehab, and an amazing outcome.  There was no way I could fly on a commercial flight because my leg was in traction and I had to be flat on my back (yes, really good drugs were involved).  Cost out of pocket - $100,000!!  And we had to have family wire the money to Florida so he could wire it to the company in Germany before they'd even leave the ground.  I had an EMT and a doctor with me the entire flight who stayed with me until I was released to the ER here.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely!! Lesson learned the (VERY) hard way - we no longer travel without MedjetAssist.  

 

Yikes!   I have a question though.  Serious question - Why didn’t you stay in Germany to have the surgery and recoup enough to travel? I had a friend have a severe hospitalization in France and her option was to stay or take the evacuation course of action. She chose to stay.   

[zelker]

39 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Yikes!   I have a question though.  Serious question - Why didn’t you stay in Germany to have the surgery and recoup enough to travel? I had a friend have a severe hospitalization in France and her option was to stay or take the evacuation course of action. She chose to stay.   

We weren't in Germany, we were in Tenerife, Canary Islands.

[Guest ldtr]

1 hour ago, zelker said:

Pay attention to what @Babr posted above and make sure you understand what your insurance covers (this includes insurance through the cruise lines). 

 

In October of 2016, I fractured my femur in Tenerife (Canary Islands) literally 100 yards from the gangway (getting dark, terrible lighting, uneven asphalt surface).  Unbeknownst to us, our insurance (BC/BS) would only cover to get us to the closest hospital that could take care of me ... turns out, that was the little local hospital.  Say WHAT??!!??  There was no way I was having surgery in a second world country (hospital didn't have potable water or screens on the windows, there was limited A/C, and almost none of the staff spoke English and we speak no Spanish, food was worse than gas station premade food, sanitary procedures often left a lot to be desired ... you get the picture).  With the help of a "friend of a friend" who was an EMT in Florida and worked with several global companies to repatriate people around the world, we flew home on a private air ambulance that flew from Germany to pick us up from the Canaries and flew us to the hospital 5 minutes from our home in Colorado where I had a 4 hr surgery, months of rehab, and an amazing outcome.  There was no way I could fly on a commercial flight because my leg was in traction and I had to be flat on my back (yes, really good drugs were involved).  Cost out of pocket - $100,000!!  And we had to have family wire the money to Florida so he could wire it to the company in Germany before they'd even leave the ground.  I had an EMT and a doctor with me the entire flight who stayed with me until I was released to the ER here.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely!! Lesson learned the (VERY) hard way - we no longer travel without MedjetAssist.  

 

Funny thing is the medjet would not have covered the evac either unless you were first admitted to a hospital. In your case the one without potable water and without screens.

 

Two biggest limitations with medjet is that you must be in a hospital and their must be a run way that their planes can use close to that hospital. Which eliminates some of the Carribean islands for example.

 

Though in many cases if the local doctor agrees even standard insurance will transfer one to a different facility. It all depends if the attending physician and the medical expert used by the insurance company agree upon the care needed. Failure to move a patient to a facility adequate for treatment opens the insurance company to substantial liability.

[Guest ldtr]

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

Yikes!   I have a question though.  Serious question - Why didn’t you stay in Germany to have the surgery and recoup enough to travel? I had a friend have a severe hospitalization in France and her option was to stay or take the evacuation course of action. She chose to stay.   

Though not in this case since they were in Tenerife.

 

It is kind of funny that many US travelers look down on hospitals in Europe because in many countries there they use wards and not private or semi private room and other differences in how medicine is practiced. Even though the outcomes may actually be better there.

[Mary229]

9 minutes ago, zelker said:

We weren't in Germany, we were in Tenerife, Canary Islands.

I misread, I thought it said you first were sent to Germany.  Sorry 

[Mary229]

3 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Though not in this case since they were in Tenerife.

 

It is kind of funny that many US travelers look down on hospitals in Europe because in many countries there they use wards and not private or semi private room and other differences in how medicine is practiced. Even though the outcomes may actually be better there.

I must have confused that the ambulance came from Germany. 

Edited August 19, 2023 by Mary229

[kazu]

2 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Though not in this case since they were in Tenerife.

 

It is kind of funny that many US travelers look down on hospitals in Europe because in many countries there they use wards and not private or semi private room and other differences in how medicine is practiced. Even though the outcomes may actually be better there.

 

I agree with this.  In my case, I was medically disembarked in Puerto Vallarta.  Not for the reason that the HAL doctor thought - he didn’t read the X-Ray well.  Bottom line - I needed surgery.  I checked the surgeon’s credential and they were good.

 

The hospital was clean, huge room and constant care.  While it wasn’t how I wanted my cruise to end, I felt I was in good hands and had my surgery there.

[Mary229]

4 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Though not in this case since they were in Tenerife.

 

It is kind of funny that many US travelers look down on hospitals in Europe because in many countries there they use wards and not private or semi private room and other differences in how medicine is practiced. Even though the outcomes may actually be better there.

Yes when my friend asked my advice I told her to stay, her husband and sister said the same.  I was going to fly over and keep her company but her sister went instead.  Her husband could not travel due to health 

[Guest ldtr]

1 hour ago, zelker said:

We weren't in Germany, we were in Tenerife, Canary Islands.

Which hospital in Tenerife? There are several. Some are pretty good.  For example  Our Lady of Candelaria University Hospital is one that is well thought of.

[zelker]

8 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Funny thing is the medjet would not have covered the evac either unless you were first admitted to a hospital. In your case the one without potable water and without screens.

 

Two biggest limitations with medjet is that you must be in a hospital and their must be a run way that their planes can use close to that hospital. Which eliminates some of the Carribean islands for example.

 

Though in many cases if the local doctor agrees even standard insurance will transfer one to a different facility. It all depends if the attending physician and the medical expert used by the insurance company agree upon the care needed. Failure to move a patient to a facility adequate for treatment opens the insurance company to substantial liability.

 

I was taken by ambulance to the ER at that hospital, admitted and stayed there for 5 nights so yes, Medjet would have covered it, had we had it.  It was our choice for me not to have the surgery there and then have to go through rehab there as well.  People were being repatriated out of that hospital daily, even to countries within Europe.  The airport can land regular jets so had no problem with the Lear that came to get us.  Anyway, it worked for us.  Don't try to second-guess us and the scenario when you weren't there.

[zelker]

7 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Which hospital in Tenerife? There are several. Some are pretty good.  For example  Our Lady of Candelaria University Hospital is one that is well thought of.

Should have known better than to post this but was trying to be helpful to the OP by giving a real-life example.  Am done arguing or discussing or justifying our decision.  Move along.

 

Edited August 19, 2023 by zelker

[Mary229]

7 minutes ago, zelker said:

Should have known better than to post this but was trying to be helpful to the OP by giving a real-life example.  Am done arguing or discussing or justifying our decision.  Move along.

 

I am not arguing or second guessing, I respect your opinion.  I believed your first response about Tenerife and was confused by the ambulance coming from Germany.  I thought maybe Germany had given you a hard time or you found your options there unsuitable.  That was the reason I originally asked 

[zelker]

6 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I am not arguing or second guessing, I respect your opinion.  I believed your first response about Tenerife and was confused by the ambulance coming from Germany.  I thought maybe Germany had given you a hard time or you found your options there unsuitable.  That was the reason I originally asked 

Mary, that wasn't directed at you.  

[Guest ldtr]

37 minutes ago, zelker said:

Should have known better than to post this but was trying to be helpful to the OP by giving a real-life example.  Am done arguing or discussing or justifying our decision.  Move along.

 

You were the one that described the hospital as not having potable water and no screens on the windows.  Now you say that you were admitted and there for 5 days.  Since I know several doctors on Tenerife just trying to determine which hospital met that description.

 

Who was second guessing I was just talking about the limitations with MedJet and what one can do if they run into a facility that does not have good capabilities.  As well as curious about your description of the medical facilities.  

 

The hospital I mentioned is an 840 bed fully accredited university teaching hospital that can handle anything up to and including liver transplants.  I doubt it did not have potable water and no screens on the windows.

 

Edited August 19, 2023 by ldtr

[CNSJ]

Thinking back to my big "post COVID" trip last year that included a few places well off the beaten path.  The places you may prefer not to have the hospital stay, let alone surgery.  

 

For those of you reading this topic, many may have recently signed up for AARP to take advantage of the up to $200 OBC.  I wanted to point out that Medjet does offer discounts for AARP members.  Log into AARP, type "Medjet" into the search block.  Use the AARP link to work your way there.  If you are under 75, the cost is quite reasonable.

 

Again, it's like any insurance you may buy.....you hope you are just making the company selling it profitable....and never need it.

 

 

 

[iamtrustworthy]

On 8/19/2023 at 2:10 PM, New Jersey Pat said:

We are planning a 42 day cruise and evaluating medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Would be grateful for information on the actual costs of evacuation and repatriation from anyone who has actually needed those services so that we can make an informed decision. 

 

Hi New Jersey Pat,

 

I wrote this earlier today on my blog. I hope you find it helpful.

 

Is it Worth Paying More to Have $500,000 Medical Coverage?

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/is-it-worth-paying-more-to-have-500000-medical-coverage/

 

Steve Dasseos