International Medical Assistance

                                              by Michael N. Cowan, M.D.                         

For many years I was the CEO of Air Ambulance Inc., and in its 30 years of operation we transported in excess of 50,000 patients.

In many ways the most complex transports, from both medical and logistical aspects, were the international cases or even those in the United States, when the patient was far from home. Remember patients are not passengers; they are not cargo; they are patients. It is the medical needs of patients that govern whether transport can be accomplished and the best mode of travel.

If an individual is sick or injured away from home and is stable, the best means of travel would be commercial carrier. Years ago, there were many resources including U.S. carriers that were available for transporting patients. That is no longer the case. U.S. carriers that will take stretcher patients are limited and indeed U.S. carriers that will even help serve passengers with medical problems or disabilities seem to be disappearing.

If you have to assist an individual who has significant medical needs requiring repatriation, or indeed acute evacuation, there are several resources to turn to in various venues. There is the U.S. government through the State Department. Good Luck! Sometimes help is available, but it is hit and miss and often depends on the good offices of local resources. They take the position that help is a favor and not necessarily a right and up to the local authorities. In addition, the influence—clout if you will—of our overseas representatives is not what it used to be.

The other resources are private assistance programs of which there are a myriad. You should check your credit card to find out whether there is an assistance program. Most have them, and they come with the card for advice and recommendation only. There are upgrades that cover some of the costs and indeed have various fine-print restrictions. There are organizations such as SOS International, Access America, and Medex, International Medical Assistance (IMA) to name a few. Also if you have an American Express Platinum Card full coverage is available, also with certain restrictions.

It is recommended that anyone who travels buy annual coverage because individual trip coverage is not only expensive but comes packaged with other coverage you may not need. For example, Medicare does not cover medical costs outside the United States, but your Medicare supplement may well have such coverage as an additional benefit.

Having seen many different situations, some of which have had evacuation costs in excess of $100,000, I would urge everyone to avail themselves of coverage that is available and at reasonable cost because the need, when it occurs, is horrific and the peace of mind of knowing the coverage is there is invaluable.