Good Neighbor Insurance Inc, www.overseashealthinsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  HTH is one of our top career and short term/travel companies we provide and is one I personally use when I travel overseas on my diving trips.  Not only is HTH an “A” rated company but they have and continue to believe in the philosophy that “people are the destination!”

All of HTH plans have evacuation coverage and you may view these plans on our web page at www.overseashealthinsurance.com/global.asp and here at www.overseashealthinsurance.com/short-term.asp .   Below we explain why you need medical evacuation coverage and other medical travel benefits when you are traveling overseas for business or for pleasure.

World travelers need to properly protect themselves against financial exposure due to catastrophic medical events. If comprehensive travel medical benefits and assistance services are not secured before they go, travelers may find themselves exposed to huge losses – both physical and financial. Though illness or injury can strike at any time, when severe incidents occur overseas, lack of proper coverage can leave travelers with steep medical bills for less than sufficient care.

Why are medical evacuation benefits necessary?

Global travelers need to be prepared for the possibility that they may find themselves in a location where the medical care is poor or inaccessible and it is necessary to be evacuated to an area where they can receive the appropriate level of care. Medical evacuations can be complicated and costly. However, most travel insurance plans include a medical assistance benefit, which is critical. It gives members 24/7/365 access to a company that will arrange the evacuation and coordinate appropriate treatment along the way.

Do evacuation membership programs include medical benefits?

Many domestic health insurance plans offer inadequate services and protection when taken abroad. This is certainly a problem for lesser illnesses and injuries, but can be devastating when medical evacuation, which is almost never covered, is necessary. Travelers should understand that the most comprehensive and reliable coverage comes in the form of an A-rated travel health insurance policy. In contrast to benefits provided by medical evacuation membership programs, these policies offer evacuation coverage, but also include routine, urgent and medical benefits necessary to provide travelers with the optimal level of protection and assistance.

What are the key considerations of any medical evacuation?

Evacuating a patient for medical reasons is a complex process that includes the following:

1. Evaluating the appropriateness of local health care providers

2. Identifying the closest facility where a high level of care is available

3. Determining the risk/rewards of moving the patient

4. Choosing the best method of transport (e.g. ambulance, helicopter, fixed wing air ambulance)

5. Securing the cooperation of the local treating physician, including a determination that the patient is stable enough to be moved

6. Enlisting the most appropriate team to handle the transport (e.g. doctor, nurse, and therapist)

7. Arranging for speedy and appropriate intake at the receiving facility

Buying a more comprehensive travel health plan

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp , information with him at all times when he travels. Keep our blog close by you, www.gntravelinsurance.com, for continual updates on the changes throughout the global health coverage arena.