An injury or a health problem while you are traveling can be a minor nuisance, an interesting cultural experience, or a major problem. Many travelers are unaware of the need to protect themselves and their finances from the consequences of unforeseen medical situations. Taking a few actions before you depart, and knowing where to get help if you need it on your trip, can help you keep difficulties to a minimum.
Why should I be concerned about medical coverage abroad?
- Many health insurance plans, including Social Security Medicare in the United States (US), do not provide coverage overseas. Plans that provide "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad may not pay for your medical evacuation back to your home country, a huge expense.
- Many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service.
- Uninsured patients may be refused service.
- Countries with socialized medicine may not provide full services to non-residents.
- Payment of hospital and other expenses abroad is the responsibility of the traveler.
- Some countries require tourists to carry accident or travel insurance.
What questions should I ask my health insurance company?
- Does this insurance policy cover emergency expenses abroad such as returning me to my country for treatment if I am seriously ill?
- Does this insurance cover high-risk activities I may be planning, such as parasailing, mountain climbing, scuba diving and off-roading?
- Does this policy cover pre-existing conditions?
- Does the insurance company require pre-authorizations or second opinions before emergency treatment can begin?
- Does the insurance company guarantee medical payments abroad?
- Will the insurance company pay foreign hospitals and foreign doctors directly?
- Does the insurance company have a 24-hour physician-backed support center?
In the US, people of retirement age may wish to contact the American Association of Retired Persons for information about foreign medical care coverage with Medicare supplement plans.
Can my government assist me if I become disabled overseas?
- If a citizen becomes ill or is seriously injured abroad, a consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and informing family or friends.
- If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the home country.
- Payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.
What's the difference between travel insurance and travel medical insurance?
- Travel Insurance insures your financial investment up to the amount of your policy limits.
- Travel Medical Insurance insures you should you become ill and need medical attention while living or traveling abroad.
What insurance information should I carry with me abroad?
- Your insurance policy identity card as proof of your insurance
- Claim form
Several private organizations will provide medical information and insurance for overseas travelers. Most charge a fee for this service. The following is provided FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and in no way constitutes an endorsement, expressed or implied, by World Trade Press or the US Department of State.
Medical Evacuation Companies
US-Based
Advanced Air Ambulance
12360 SW 132nd Ct, Suite 208
Miami, FL 33186 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US): (800) 633-3590
Phone (International): (305) 232-7700
Website: https://www.flyambu.com
AeroCare Air Ambulance Service
4539 N 22nd Street, Suite 4187
Phoenix AZ, 85016 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US and Canada): (800) 823-1911
Phone (International): (630) 466-0900
Website: https://www.aerocare.com
Aero Med Express
Email: [email protected].
Phone: (800) 842-8555
Website: https://www.aeromedexpress.com
Air Ambulance 1
10830 Craighead Drive
Houston, TX 77025 USA
Phone (US): (800) 424-9000
Phone (International): (832) 900-9000
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.airambulance1.com
Air Ambulance Worldwide
4311 General Howard Drive, Hangar 13
Clearwater, FL 33762 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (877) 922-9675
Fax: (727) 786-0897
Website: https://airambulanceworldwide.com
AirCARE1
5345 NE Wyoming Blvd.
Albuquerque, NM 87109 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US): (877) 752-5906
Phone (International): (505) 210-7870
Website: https://www.airambulanceone.com
Air Medical Transport
25807 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 411
Katy, TX 77494 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US and Canada): (800) 872-6667
Phone (International): (832) 872-2222
Fax: (832) 872-2300
Website: https://airmedical.com
AirMed International
950 N 22nd Street, Suite 800
Birmingham, AL 35203 USA
Phone (US and Canada): (800) 356-2161
Phone (International): (205) 443-4840
Website: https://www.airmed.com
American Jet International
7555 Ipswich Road
Houston, TX 77061 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US): (888) 435-9254
Phone (International): (713) 641-9700
Website: https://www.iflyaji.com
Angel MedFlight
15990 N Greenway Hayden Loop, Suite C120
Scottsdale, AZ 85260 USA
Phone (US): (877) 239-1122
Phone (International): (480) 634-8017
Fax (US): (844) 404-3948
Fax (International): (480) 285-0285
Website: https://angelmedflight.com
Critical Care MedFlight
PO Box 245
Lawrenceville, GA 30046 USA
Phone (US): (800) 426-6557
Phone (International): (770) 513-9148
Fax: (770) 513-0249
Website: https://ccmedflight.com
JET ICU
1511 N Westshore Blvd. #650
Tampa, FL 33607 USA
Phone (US): (877) 453-8428
Phone (International): (352) 796-2540
Website: https://www.jeticu.com
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance
7778 Glades Road #100
Boca Raton, FL 33434 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US and Canada): (877) 704-8396
Phone (International): (786) 619-1268
Fax: (800) 868 3518
Website: https://www.jetrescueairambulance.com
Med Jets by Air Trek
Punta Gorda Airport
27197 Mooney Avenue, Hangar 97
Punta Gorda, FL 33982 USA
Phone (US): (800) 633-5387
Phone (International): (941) 639-7855
Fax: (888) 471-1656
Website: https://medjets.com
PHI Air Medical
1033 W Roosevelt Way, Suite 500
Tempe, AZ 85288 USA
Phone: (800) 421-6111
Website: https://www.phiairmedical.com
Premier Jets
2140 NE 25th Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97124 USA
Phone: (503) 640-2927
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.premierjets.com
REVA
2101 W Commercial Blvd., Suite 5100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US): (800) 752-4195
Phone (International): (954) 730-9300
Fax: (954) 485-6564
Website: https://www.flyreva.com
Travel Care Air
78 Folly Road B9 #1154
Charleston, SC 29407 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US and Canada): (800) 524-7633
Phone (International): (715) 479-8881
Website: https://travelcareair.com
Trinity Air Ambulance International
3535 Galt Ocean Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (954) 771-7911
Fax: (954) 771-4882
Website: https://flytrinity.com
Travel Assistance and Medical Transport Memberships
US-Based
Assist Card
175 SW 7th Street, Suite 2407
Miami, FL 33130 USA
Phone: (888) 854-9911
Website: https://www.assistcard.com/us-en
International SOS
785 Arbor Way
Blue Bell, PA 19422 USA
Phone: (215) 942-8226
Website: https://www.internationalsos.com/locations/united-states
MedAire
4722 N. 24th Street, Suite 450
Phoenix, AZ 85016 USA
Phone: (480) 333-3700
Fax: (480) 333-3592
Website: https://www.medaire.com
Medjet
PO Box 43099
Birmingham, AL 35243-0099 USA
Phone: (800) 527-7478
Website: https://medjetassist.com
On Call International
11 Manor Parkway
Salem, New Hampshire 03079 USA
Phone: (800) 575-5014
Fax: (603) 898-9172
Website: https://www.oncallinternational.com
UnitedHealthcare Global
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 410 453 6330
Website: https://www.uhcglobal.com
International Medical Evacuation Companies
Austria
Tyrol Air Ambulance (TAA)
Fürstenweg 180
6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +43 512 22422 100
Fax: +43 512 22422 7130
Website: https://www.taa.at
Germany
DRF Air Rescue
Rita-Maiburg-Straße 2
Filderstadt, Germany
Phone: +49 711 70070
Website: https://www.drf-luftrettung.de
FAI Air Ambulance
Flughafenstrasse 124
90411 Nuremberg, Germany
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +49-911-36009-0
Fax: +49-911-36009-59
Website: https://www.fai.ag
Luxembourg
European Air Ambulance (EAA)
Luxembourg Airport, Gate E13
L-1110
Findel B.P. 24
L- 5201 Sandweiler
Luxembourg
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +352 26 26 00
Website: https://air-ambulance.com
Travel Insurance Companies
US-Based
Travel Guard
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (844) 229-5992
Website: https://www.travelguard.com
Allianz Travel Insurance
PO Box 71533
Richmond, VA 23255-1533 USA
Phone: (866) 884-3556
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com
AXA Travel Insurance
122 S Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60603 USA
Phone: (855) 327-1442
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.axatravelinsurance.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Global Solutions
933 First Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406 USA
Phone: (855) 686 7705
Website: https://bcbsglobalsolutions.com
Generali Global Assistance
Phone (US): (800) 874-2442
Phone (International): (240) 330-1529
Website: https://www.generalitravelinsurance.com
International Medical Group (IMG)
9200 Keystone Crossing, Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46240 USA
Phone: (317) 655-4500
Website: https://www.imglobal.com
InsureMyTrip
100 Commerce Drive
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Phone: (800) 487-4722
Website: https://www.insuremytrip.com
Petersen International Underwriters (PIU)
23929 Valencia Blvd. Second Floor
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: (800) 345-8816
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 661-254-0604
Website: https://www.piu.org
Seven Corners
303 Congressional Blvd.
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Phone: (800) 335-0611
Website: https://www.sevencorners.com
Travelex Insurance Services
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (800) 228-9792
Website: https://www.travelexinsurance.com
Travel Insured International
Phone: (800) 243-3174
Website: https://www.travelinsured.com
Trawick International
PO Box 2284
Fairhope, AL 36533 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (888) 301-9289
Website: https://trawickinternational.com
WorldTrips
Email: [email protected]
Phone (US): (800) 605-2282
Phone (International): +1 (317) 262-2132
Website: https://www.worldtrips.com
Executive Medical Services
WorldClinic
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (603) 526-9003
Website: https://worldclinic.com
Medical Escort
Air Medical Group
9040 Town Center Parkway
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Phone (US): (877) 400-0463
Phone (International): 001-919-412-1652
Website: https://airmedgroup.com
Commercial Medical Escorts (CME)
Website: https://www.commercialmedicalescorts.com
ACC Medlink
Phone: (855) 200-4202
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://medic-trans.com