Medical Travel Assistance

 

Got a trip planned? Protect yourself and your loved ones. When traveling 100 miles or more from home, you can rest easy knowing you have a network of doctors, assistance personnel and emergency benefits. You’ll be safe and sound from air to ground.

 

Emergency medical evacuation

 

• Monitoring of treatment

• Replacement of lost or stolen travel documents

• Transportation to join a family member in the hospital

• Travel for dependent children

• Pre-travel and security information

• Coordination of hospital payments and insurance

• Medications and vaccines

• Transfer of money

• Translation services

• Return of mortal remains

 

How do members access the Travel Assist Service?

 

Members call a toll-free phone number. If a toll-free number is not available in a country to which the member is traveling, they can call Travel Assistance collect. The telephone access numbers are in the member's fulfillment kit and on the membership card.

 

When do members use the service?

 

Travel Assistance is available 24/7/365. Often people think that the services are only for serious cases. Travel Assistance will help with any type of illness or injury, regardless of the severity.

 

Is there a part of the world where Travel Assistance cannot offer services?

 

No.
 

How many cases does Travel Assistance handle a year?

 

Travel Assistance handles about 30,000 cases per year in almost every country of the world. About one half are emergency medical cases.

 

How does Travel Assistance help find medical care?

 

Travel Assistance has a global network of over 50,000 international providers. The network contains hospitals, clinics and doctors, as well as other providers in the travel insurance industry, such as air ambulances, house call doctors and medical escorts. Travel Assistance has thorough credentialing standards. Travel Assistance members are referred based on the medical specialty needed, location, language, office hours, training, etc.

 

Does Travel Assistance require that members go to certain hospitals, doctors, or clinics?

 

To reap the full benefits of our service, we suggest that members contact Travel Assistance before choosing a hospital so that we can refer them to facilities that we have previously worked with. Travel Assistance refers its members to the best in the area. If our members go to other providers, we cannot be certain of the level of treatment. However, Travel Assistance will provide the same services regardless of where the members are treated.

 

What happens in the event of a hospitalization?

 

Travel Assistance should be notified as soon as possible. Travel Assistance will then monitor the member’s care and work through the details of foreign hospitalizations. Travel Assistance will promptly speak with the treating doctor to assess the member’s condition, treatment plans and whether or not an evacuation is necessary. Travel Assistance will update member’s family, employer and personal doctor as needed. Also, Travel Assistance will coordinate all insurance verifications and admission details.

 

How does Travel Assistance facilitate hospital admissions?

 

Travel Assistance coordinates all billing and insurance verifications, including settling any guarantees of payment. This ensures that there is no delay or denial of medical treatment because a member cannot make the up-front payment or because his/her insurance is not recognized.

 

What if the local facilities are not able to provide treatment?

 

In assessing the local facilities, Travel Assistance looks at the quality of the blood supply, medical technology and specialties available, use of sterile equipment and the patient's medical requirements. If facilities are inadequate, the Travel Assistance Regional Medical Advisor will report on the safety of such an evacuation, any medical needs the patient may require en route and the evacuation plan details. Travel Assistance will consult with all parties involved and fully manage the evacuation.

 

Once a member is released from the hospital, do the services end?

 

Travel Assistance helps a member until they have returned home or have received final treatment.