Any credit cards that offer medical evacuation insurance as a benefit?

plane2port

Level 2 Member
I just received an offer from Emergency Assistance Plus for medical evacuation insurance of $149/year for myself and spouse. This was offered through the United Mileage Plus program, with a 1000 mile bonus for signing up. My first reaction was to think that this sounds too good to be true. Also, it got me started thinking that med evac insurance might be offered with one of my credit cards. I seem to recall SmittyTabb saying that the Ritz Carlton card offered this.

Does anyone know of a card that offers this? If not, do you insure yourself for this eventuality? Thx!
 

DL172

Level 2 Member
I just received an offer from Emergency Assistance Plus for medical evacuation insurance of $149/year for myself and spouse. This was offered through the United Mileage Plus program, with a 1000 mile bonus for signing up. My first reaction was to think that this sounds too good to be true. Also, it got me started thinking that med evac insurance might be offered with one of my credit cards. I seem to recall SmittyTabb saying that the Ritz Carlton card offered this.

Does anyone know of a card that offers this? If not, do you insure yourself for this eventuality? Thx!
Seems like the Amex platinum card has this benefit (I'm sure you would have to book your trip with AMEX):

http://thepointsguy.com/2011/05/maximizing-amex-post-8-understanding-emergency-travel-assistance-and-travel-accident-insurance/
 

smittytabb

Moderator
Staff member
I just received an offer from Emergency Assistance Plus for medical evacuation insurance of $149/year for myself and spouse. This was offered through the United Mileage Plus program, with a 1000 mile bonus for signing up. My first reaction was to think that this sounds too good to be true. Also, it got me started thinking that med evac insurance might be offered with one of my credit cards. I seem to recall SmittyTabb saying that the Ritz Carlton card offered this.

Does anyone know of a card that offers this? If not, do you insure yourself for this eventuality? Thx!
Ritz Carlton Visa does indeed.
 
R

RamboAroundTheWorld

Guest
I just received an offer from Emergency Assistance Plus for medical evacuation insurance of $149/year for myself and spouse. This was offered through the United Mileage Plus program, with a 1000 mile bonus for signing up. My first reaction was to think that this sounds too good to be true. Also, it got me started thinking that med evac insurance might be offered with one of my credit cards. I seem to recall SmittyTabb saying that the Ritz Carlton card offered this.

Does anyone know of a card that offers this? If not, do you insure yourself for this eventuality? Thx!
We covered some of this in here:

http://saverocity.com/forum/threads/travel-delay-benefits-what-issuer-offers-the-best-options-service.1525/#post-21556
 

smittytabb

Moderator
Staff member
I just received an offer from Emergency Assistance Plus for medical evacuation insurance of $149/year for myself and spouse. This was offered through the United Mileage Plus program, with a 1000 mile bonus for signing up. My first reaction was to think that this sounds too good to be true. Also, it got me started thinking that med evac insurance might be offered with one of my credit cards. I seem to recall SmittyTabb saying that the Ritz Carlton card offered this.

Does anyone know of a card that offers this? If not, do you insure yourself for this eventuality? Thx!
I have for several years used MedJet Assist medical evacuation annual policy, before I saw any cards having it. I began doing it when it was recommended when I was trekking in Bhutan. I travel internationally a lot and at times go to more off the beaten track type of places. I am not sure I would do it if you just travel internationally a few times a year. You can also check www.insuremytrip.com to see comparisons of different types of coverage for various things.
 

McRingRing

Level 2 Member
I've been using Divers Alert Network. You don't have to be a diver (I'm not). It's $35 a year for individual.


As a DAN Member, you automatically receive DAN TravelAssist and up to $100,000 of evacuation assistance coverage. This benefit is effective for both diving and nondiving medical emergencies. Evacuation coverage begins when you travel on a trip at least 50 miles (80 km) from home and call theDAN Emergency Hotline (+1-919-684-9111) for assistance or evacuation.
 

plane2port

Level 2 Member
Seems like the Amex platinum card has this benefit (I'm sure you would have to book your trip with AMEX):

Thanks for the mention of the AMEX Plat. I wouldn't want to have to book my trip with AMEX though. In fact, I don't think AMEX could book my trips. They can be pretty complicated and I end up in some weird place.s

http://thepointsguy.com/2011/05/maximizing-amex-post-8-understanding-emergency-travel-assistance-and-travel-accident-insurance/
This was a pretty good post. I essentially self-insure for trip cancellation, etc. Its the evac insurance that I'm mainly interested in.

Ritz Carlton Visa does indeed.
I have found your comments about this card to be intriguing. At that time, I wasn't able to apply for an additional card. I was working on my min spend on the Citi Exec. Of course now that I have more flexibility the delicious 140K offer is no long available. [or is it?????]


I have for several years used MedJet Assist medical evacuation annual policy, before I saw any cards having it. I began doing it when it was recommended when I was trekking in Bhutan. I travel internationally a lot and at times go to more off the beaten track type of places. I am not sure I would do it if you just travel internationally a few times a year. You can also check www.insuremytrip.com to see comparisons of different types of coverage for various things.
I know what you mean. My international travel has scaled way back over the last few months. We do go on the same kind of trips though. What got me thinking about the insurance is a scenario that presented itself last year. I was horsepacking in to Volcan Sangay (a remote volcano in Ecuador) and my horse got stuck in deep mud, and fell on my knee. I didn't need evac, but I very well could have, and it would have been an expensive bitch to get me out of there.

I've been using Divers Alert Network. You don't have to be a diver (I'm not). It's $35 a year for individual.


As a DAN Member, you automatically receive DAN TravelAssist and up to $100,000 of evacuation assistance coverage. This benefit is effective for both diving and nondiving medical emergencies. Evacuation coverage begins when you travel on a trip at least 50 miles (80 km) from home and call theDAN Emergency Hotline (+1-919-684-9111) for assistance or evacuation.
WOW! I didn't remember this. Was a member of DAN many moons ago when we did a lot of diving. I'll have to look into this. Do you need your diving certification numbers for this? The price is definitely right on this one.
 

smittytabb

Moderator
Staff member
This was a pretty good post. I essentially self-insure for trip cancellation, etc. Its the evac insurance that I'm mainly interested in.



I have found your comments about this card to be intriguing. At that time, I wasn't able to apply for an additional card. I was working on my min spend on the Citi Exec. Of course now that I have more flexibility the delicious 140K offer is no long available. [or is it?????]






I know what you mean. My international travel has scaled way back over the last few months. We do go on the same kind of trips though. What got me thinking about the insurance is a scenario that presented itself last year. I was horsepacking in to Volcan Sangay (a remote volcano in Ecuador) and my horse got stuck in deep mud, and fell on my knee. I didn't need evac, but I very well could have, and it would have been an expensive bitch to get me out of there.



WOW! I didn't remember this. Was a member of DAN many moons ago when we did a lot of diving. I'll have to look into this. Do you need your diving certification numbers for this? The price is definitely right on this one.
That is too bad. I have the Marriott card and my SO has the Ritz card which is a good duo.

I had a similar experience of sorts. I ended up in an ER in Nairobi and had to have CT and major facial sutures. Went to a private hospital, waited for a plastic surgeon, had out patient surgery (only because I refused a general so I could walk out of there same day).
In retrospect I got lucky and I had a concussion and no one picked it up until a few weeks later when I returned to US. I was in between two safari loops for a one nighter in the city, and had I been out in one of the camps, I cannot imagine...So, now I am much more aware that the kind of travel I often do puts me in a position to need more insurance than the average Joanne.
 

DL172

Level 2 Member
Just a caution on the DAN insurance. A friend of mine needed a medical evacuation. Luckily he had purchased insurance online, I think it was from some online company but the underwriter was Allianz. Long story short, 100k might not be enough even for just a short hop. Chartering a plane R/T (the destinations that would need evac insurance likely don't have a plane with the right equipment loitering in a shed somewhere) is extremely expensive.
 

smittytabb

Moderator
Staff member
Just a caution on the DAN insurance. A friend of mine needed a medical evacuation. Luckily he had purchased insurance online, I think it was from some online company but the underwriter was Allianz. Long story short, 100k might not be enough even for just a short hop. Chartering a plane R/T (the destinations that would need evac insurance likely don't have a plane with the right equipment loitering in a shed somewhere) is extremely expensive.
Yes, evacuation can be extraordinarily expensive and so be careful out there and know what you are choosing as coverage! And it's the reason I keep medjet assist even though I have access to a CC with evac coverage.
 

Mountain Trader

Level 2 Member
I have spent time looking at and buying insurance for trips. My goal wasn't just evacuation but medical coverage outside the USA.

Anyone considering buying such coverage should plan to spend the time needed to fully understand the T&Cs, which establish what's covered and what is not. Example: Evacuation coverage. Is the evac to the nearest location with facilities to treat the condition? If so, then evacuation from a trek in Nepal likely means they get you to Katmandu, not the Mayo Clinic.

Is the coverage primary or secondary to your existing medical coverage? What are the policy's limits on coverage?

My time travel insurance indicated there are some policies that would add value for us. But we'd have to buy them soon after incurring the first dollar of non-refundable expense for a trip to get the highest and primary coverage for a trip.
 
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plane2port

Level 2 Member
Per Rapid Travel Chai dot boarding area dot com Nov. 26th post, the Citi Prestige, Citi AA Executive, and Citi AA Platinum cards now include 100K of medical evacuation coverage. Important exclusion: trips booked with AAdvantage miles are excluded.
 

nickelfish1

Level 2 Member
Yes, evacuation can be extraordinarily expensive and so be careful out there and know what you are choosing as coverage! And it's the reason I keep medjet assist even though I have access to a CC with evac coverage.
We're leaving for Curacao on Sat. my 16 yr old daughter has been having ab pain and headaches for the last couple of weeks. She is recovered from Strep two wks ago...thought maybe that was causing symptoms. Been retested for strep three times..all negative. Spent six hours in the ER yesterday morning and was discharged at 1pm. I took her back at 7pm and discharged at 12am. Symptoms are bad headache, nausea, terrible stomach (lower ab) slightly elevated white blood count...she pitched a softball game on Sunday...could be just inflammation from that. They did a complete abdominal u/s ...nothing. She felt better after the 2nd visit. But, woke this am with slight fever and forehead headache again. We're debating on canceling our trip....no trip insurance. Obviously, that doesn't matter if the kid is too sick to travel. I'm wondering...I bought her and my ticket with 55k UR pts and the remaining $47 on my CSP card. Does that give me the same evac/medical coverage as if I would have purchased the tickets in whole on CSP...or basically I did bc I used pts? I'm also wondering if I can/should buy two of us med evac insurance incase something happens there? Or I should just buy for her since they would allow me to go with her if she had to be flown out anyway? Maybe I can't since we are within five days of travel anyway.
 

smittytabb

Moderator
Staff member
We're leaving for Curacao on Sat. my 16 yr old daughter has been having ab pain and headaches for the last couple of weeks. She is recovered from Strep two wks ago...thought maybe that was causing symptoms. Been retested for strep three times..all negative. Spent six hours in the ER yesterday morning and was discharged at 1pm. I took her back at 7pm and discharged at 12am. Symptoms are bad headache, nausea, terrible stomach (lower ab) slightly elevated white blood count...she pitched a softball game on Sunday...could be just inflammation from that. They did a complete abdominal u/s ...nothing. She felt better after the 2nd visit. But, woke this am with slight fever and forehead headache again. We're debating on canceling our trip....no trip insurance. Obviously, that doesn't matter if the kid is too sick to travel. I'm wondering...I bought her and my ticket with 55k UR pts and the remaining $47 on my CSP card. Does that give me the same evac/medical coverage as if I would have purchased the tickets in whole on CSP...or basically I did bc I used pts? I'm also wondering if I can/should buy two of us med evac insurance incase something happens there? Or I should just buy for her since they would allow me to go with her if she had to be flown out anyway? Maybe I can't since we are within five days of travel anyway.
I am not sure if it will give the same medical and evacuation insurance on points or on partial payment on CSP card. Personally, given her symptoms and the lack of resolution of what is causing them, I would be very wary of taking her on the trip at all. How could you enjoy it worrying about all the externalities? I am a parent of four, so I empathize with the situation and I am so sorry! Tough decision...
 

nickelfish1

Level 2 Member
I am not sure if it will give the same medical and evacuation insurance on points or on partial payment on CSP card. Personally, given her symptoms and the lack of resolution of what is causing them, I would be very wary of taking her on the trip at all. How could you enjoy it worrying about all the externalities? I am a parent of four, so I empathize with the situation and I am so sorry! Tough decision...
I got her into a neurologist tomorrow afternoon and a GI specialist Thursday am so will have two opinions regarding the trip. I have a feeling the headaches are causing the abdominal pain and the nausea....especially since she hasn't been vomiting or had any other GI symptoms at all. We know it's not kidneys, appendix, gallbladder, liver, stomach, pancreas or spleen...so that's all good. The ER mentioned the back to back Z-Packs causing belly pain and abdominal migraines..which aren't common of course! I'm going to put a call into CSP and ask what our coverage is.
 

Skywardbd

Level 2 Member
We have carried Medjet Insurance for years and feel it is worth the expense. If you need to be hospitalized in an international location, they will provide a medical evacuation to the hospital of your choice, Mayo or otherwise, as soon as you are medically stable enough to travel. They will utilize commercial aviation for the evacuation if medically appropriate. If not, they will transport the patient via a private medical jet. We have an acquaintance that had to have a private jet medical evaluation from South America several years ago. The bill ran far in excess of $100,000. Medjet Assist arranged for and paid all the evacuation expenses for this individual and his wife. (Always carefully read the complete T & Cs for any medical evacuation insurance policy. The coverage and exclusions vary tremendiously.)
 

Mountain Trader

Level 2 Member
(Note: I do not know and can not provide any advice on the medical benefits of CSP or Med Jet Insurance.)

I reviewed medical coverage as part of trip cancellation insurance a couple of years ago. My primary goal was to get medical coverage, not trip interuption coverage. I found 10-12 outfits that will sell you coverage of some type, and I stuided a couple that I thought might offer what I wanted at that time.

I doubt any insurance company is going to issue coverage which would be effective for your trip since your daughter's condition is a pre-existing condition. The companies I found would only cover a pre-existing condition if you bound coverage (e.g. paid for your policy) within 21-30 days of the date on which you first incurred an expense for the trip (often airfare). Further, coverage was only primary if you bound coverage within 7 days (as I recall) of the first expense incurrence. By the way, the companies I looked at did not transport you to your hospital of choice, as mentioned for MedJet upthread. Rather they transport you to the nearest facility that can provide the care needed. So that could be 10 miles up the road from your hotel in Curacao-you can't just say "Take us home". You also should check your medical insurance policy on what, if any, coverage you have outside the USA, and what you would have to do to have it in force, such as pre-authorization.

You and your daughter will have to decide whether she should go on this trip, using of course input from her medical team. While speaking to them, you might inquire what sort of medical services are available in Curacao, especially since from your description, it seems there in no clear diagnosis yet.

If you decide to cancel the trip, you should study the rules of the airline in which program you booked your award, and see if they have provisions for medical cancelations. Two years ago, I canceled a UA award when medical issues arose. Their rules at that time were that to have the miles redposited back to their original account, you had to send a letter to UA outlining the issues involved, along with supporting documentation from the doctor. At that time, you had to pay $50 (perhaps per ticket) to have UA consider the matter, a sunk cost regardless of how they rule. My advice is that you prepare a letter for the lead doctor to sign which outlines the medical problem in summary, and states that he/she does not believe you daughter should travel to Curacao on March 29, 2015, and that she needs you to look after her as well. YMMV but I can not imagine UA turning you down. Regardless of whether they do or not, you should get the fees and taxes you paid back.

Other airlines have other rules, and some have none. For those, I would send the same letter and documentation but add that you are seeking a one-time exception as the cancelation is important for your daughter's health.
 
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nickelfish1

Level 2 Member
Thank you for all your insight and suggestions.

We are flying JetBlue and they've had several flight changes. The outbound changed by about 45 mints later. I asked if we could get a refund based on not being happy with the return change. JB said no but could probably get the cancellation fee waived and put into a JB credit. She wasn't sure what she could get back on the two partially paid with UR pts and the third with CTYou pts(I canceled that card a year ago) The schedule change may end up being our cancel foot in the door. The first hotel would either charge a first night fee...which is $389 or for all our nights. I haven't looked at the terms yet. At any rate, she certainly can't fly with what she has going on. She either gets better in three days or we don't go.
 

Mountain Trader

Level 2 Member
Is Jet Blue a transfer partner of UR? If not, then it may be you used UR for a travel redemption through Chase/Utlimate Rewards, and in such case, I would also llok to them for a refund of your UR. The T&Cs of UR may say that once you book through them it is between you and the airline you I study both sides to see where you stand.

I would take the same "My daughter is sick" approach if there is any forefeiture by the hotel, and offer to send them medical documentation too. It's not their fault but they may help. If not, I would check their website and call reservations on the day you are forced to pay for to see if they have rooms available. If not, the they sold yours and that should be the basis for a claim, at equity if not at law.
 

smittytabb

Moderator
Staff member
(Note: I do not know and can not provide any advice on the medical benefits of CSP or Med Jet Insurance.)

I reviewed medical coverage as part of trip cancellation insurance a couple of years ago. My primary goal was to get medical coverage, not trip interuption coverage. I found 10-12 outfits that will sell you coverage of some type, and I stuided a couple that I thought might offer what I wanted at that time.

I doubt any insurance company is going to issue coverage which would be effective for your trip since your daughter's condition is a pre-existing condition. The companies I found would only cover a pre-existing condition if you bound coverage (e.g. paid for your policy) within 21-30 days of the date on which you first incurred an expense for the trip (often airfare). Further, coverage was only primary if you bound coverage within 7 days (as I recall) of the first expense incurrence. By the way, the compnaies I looked at did not transport you to your hospital of choice, as mentioned for MedJet upthread. Rather they transport you to the nearest facility that can provide the care needed. So that could be 10 miles up the road from your hotel in Curacao-you can't just say "Take us home". You also should check your medical insurance policy on what, if any, coverage you have outside the USA, and what you would have to do to have it in force, such as pre-authorization.

You and your daughter will have to decide whether she should go on this trip, using of course input from her medical team. While speaking to them, you might inquire what sort of medical services are available in Curacao, especially since from your description, it seems there in no clear diagnosis yet.

If you decide to cancel the trip, you should study the rules of the airline in which program you booked your award, and see if they have provisions for medical cancelations. Two years ago, I canceled a UA award when medical issues arose. Their rules at that time were that to have the miles redposited back to their original account, you had to send a letter to UA outlining the issues involved, along with supporting documentation from the doctor. At that time, you had to pay $50 (perhaps per ticket) to have UA consider the matter, a sunk cost regardless of how they rule. My advice is that you prepare a letter for the lead doctor to sign which outlines the medical problem in summary, and states that he/she does not believe you daughter should travel to Curacao on March 29, 2015, and that she needs you to look after her as well. YMMV but I can not imagine UA turning you down. Regardless of whether they do or not, you should get the fees and taxes you paid back.

Other airlines have other rules, and some have none. For those, I would send the same letter and documentation but add that you are seeking a one-time exception as the cancelation is important for your daughter's health.
Wonderful and well researched answer. As I mentioned up thread, I carry MedJet Assist and as someone who has had a medical emergency in another country, I would be sure you have as many answers as possible answered before taking off on this trip!
 

nickelfish1

Level 2 Member
Is Jet Blue a transfer partner of UR? If not, then it may be you used UR for a travel redemption through Chase/Utlimate Rewards, and in such case, I would also llok to them for a refund of your UR. The T&Cs of UR may say that once you book through them it is between you and the airline you I study both sides to see where you stand.

Yes, I booked thru the UR website....so I'm thinking JB would just credit me the full amount and not "refund" the pts thru UR.

I would take the same "My daughter is sick" approach if there is any forefeiture by the hotel, and offer to send them medical documentation too. It's not their fault but they may help. If not, I would check their website and call reservations on the day you are forced to pay for to see if they have rooms available. If not, the they sold yours and that should be the basis for a claim, at equity if not at law.
I just called the Santa Barbara. I had to cancel/amend within 30 days of my stay or be charged the full amount. Sooo...here's the thing. I booked a room that gives a $200 resort credit per night....If it comes to canceling, I'm def asking for $800 off my total since I was entitled to the resort fee as part of the room rate.

I swear I'M getting a fever and headache over all my fuss...and sure could use a beach and sun to sweat it out!!
 

MileWriter

Level 2 Member
I've seen AMEX Platinum mentioned a few times here, and I think it's important to understand what the medical transportation benefit is - as well as what it is not. This benefit is not insurance. It also does not cover evacuations directly from the incident/accident site.

I know the first part may seem a bit obvious, but there are a number of blogs out there that blur the line between this benefit and actual insurance.

The second part is a bit more confusing. The key requirements are that (1) you must be at an initial care facility where (2) American Express will coordinate with local medical professionals to determine if transportation to a different site is required for adequate care.

So if you break your leg on Everest, you should not expect American Express to send you a chopper to get you off the mountain. You'll have to get yourself to a local hospital - or wherever you can get an initial diagnosis. Only then will American Express work with your initial care provider to transport you to an alternate location for adequate care.

As of last year, they will no longer reimburse transportation expenses.
Instead, it is my understanding that American Express has a network of contractors around the world, with whom they've negotiated predetermined rates.

I can see this benefit being useful, but it's also important to understand its limitations. If you're interested, you can read my longer post on this topic. I'll be sure to take a look at some of the other products mentioned upthread as an alternative.
 
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