6 Things a Travel Medical Assistance Service Provider Must Provide

A medical travel assistance provider is your support system in a foreign country where you might not have many contacts.

Any medical condition can create panic and trauma for the family members and for the patient. In this time of stress a good travel medical assistance Service Provider can come to your rescue and handle the situation for you on your behalf. Let’s look at a list of facilities they can offer -

1.Assistance In An Emergency Medical Condition

They can provide you with transportation in any such situation and come to your rescue.

2.Provide Referrals for A Good Hospital And Physician

The medical team on board the transport provider company can refer you to a good hospital or physician after making an assessment of your condition.

3.Repatriation of Mortal Remains

In the case where the patient passes away, a service provider will offer assistance in repatriating the remains to the patient’s home.

4.Make Return Arrangements

The travel assistance company will be able to handle all travel arrangements for the patient and the accompanying family. Right from ticketing, to visas and till ground clearance at airports they hand it all.

5.Professional and Sensitive Liaison between Medical Teams and The Family

The Travel Medical Assistance Service Provider plays a critical role of communication between the patient’s family, and the medical teams handling the case. There might be scenarios when language might be a problem. Most reputed service providers are bilingual.

6. Arrangements for Medical Payments

A medical emergency can come at any time and at any place. A professional service provider will not hassle the family or the patients for immediate payment. Instead, they will design a custom package that suits the needs of the patient, and doesn’t not burn his pockets too. Arrangements for payments will be done in a discreet and sensitive manner. 

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What Does a Typical Travel Medical Assistance Company Do?

A typical travel medical assistance company will be able to provide support to travelers in emergency and non-emergency medical situations worldwide.

Always look for a travel medical assistance company that offers all the services related to medical travel under one roof only. Check their terms and services to ensure that they provide an extensive coverage plan for assistance and repatriation, stolen or lost baggage and unseen cancellations.

A little homework and research will go a long way in helping you make the right informed decision. Consider the following points -

1. Provides Essential Cover

Foremost, check the basic plan to ensure that you or your loved one is in good hands. They should be ideally offering a detailed treatment plan with a reputed physician, and an accommodation in a good hospital.

2. Medical Services Should Be Top Notch

It is the question of life and death of somebody close to you, so do not settle for anything less than the best. The travel medical assistance you avail should be of top class quality and there should be no additional charges for casts, blood or dressings.

3. Medical Treatment in an Emergency

The company should be able to handle and cover all emergency medical situations and provide immediate relief. An acute illness and all kinds on injuries should be covered in this.

4. Non-Emergency Treatments or Surgeries

A large number of people are travelling to far away destinations for medical treatment. A good cover should be able to handle all demands of travel and care both post and after the treatment is done. A good travel assistance company will be able to take care of all logistics of travel and leave you tension free.

5. Ambulance services

An essential feature of all good medical travel services company. They should be able to provide the patient with a medical escort during air travel if required and also have an air ambulance on standby incase the patient is unable to travel by a commercial flight. 

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How Travel Medical Insurance Helps with International Medical Evacuation

Travelling abroad and in need of medical evacuation? At such times, a travel medical insurance can be very beneficial, find out how:  

When away from home for a medical treatment, you can never predict the time for a medical emergency to occur! The situation can be worse if you don’t get timely medical evacuation services.

So, it is important that you are covered by a travel medical insurance!

How Travel Medical Insurance Helps You

A travel insurance policy comes with the option of applying for emergency medical evacuations. The services include air evacuation to home from a foreign location, and to a nearby health center or hospital. However, when you choose a policy for you, you should pay for enough coverage.

A complete travel medical policy will cover:

ü  Domestic as well as international medical evacuation

ü  All your emergency transportation costs while traveling back home after your medical treatment abroad

ü  Full risk coverage even if you’re traveling in a fully medically-equipped aircraft

ü  Repatriation to a health center or hospital of your preference

ü  Medical transportation costs while traveling to home from the hospital

 24 Hour Medical Assistance

Most travel medical insurance providers run 24X7 medical help lines to help people in emergency situations. They also help with medical and dental referrals, including sending out medicines. If you have taken an ‘On Call’ policy, you’ll be provided air medical evacuation for a distance of over 50 miles from home. These policies make travel arrangements for members as well as family members and companions!

How to Choose the Right Insurance?

You can opt for an ordinary travel insurance if you are traveling to a chosen country. However, if you are an expatriate, an international medical insurance plan will be the better option. These plans have a longer duration compared to simple plans and come with guaranteed renew ability. 

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Things You Should Know About Your Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Company

Although non-emergency medical transportation services are designed to address your mobility issues, choosing the right company will make the actual difference. Read on to know what you should know about your commercial service provider!

Most of us are aware of the benefits of professional non-emergency medical transport services. However, not many people know that there are so many things to keep in mind when choosing a commercial provider! All those who want to make life easier ought to develop a better understanding towards these services.

Here is what you should know about your non-emergency medical transportation company: 

The Level of Service Quality

The first thing to observe is the quality of service your company provides the patients with. Since you would always want to hire a reliable provider, make sure:

• They don’t deploy independent drivers or taxi services to transport patients
• The company follows a proper credentialing process while hiring drivers and selecting vehicles

License and Insurance

You should not be hesitant to ask your providers to show you their commercial service license. Another important thing is insurance coverage; make sure the company is insured and capable of compensating any damage/loss in case if things go wrong. 

Many good companies even provide patients with free transportation for appointments and cover expenses through insurance.

A Sense of Responsibility

Opt for a company that can make medical transportation a safe and comfortable process for you. You can consider asking for references in your locality and know the reputation of the company. Ask if they provide doctors, paramedics and medical escorts for professional-level monitoring within the flight. 

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Why We Need Commercial Medical Escort Services

At times, commercial medical escort services can successfully replace expensive medical transport. Read on to know when and how! 

For patients who can’t travel unassisted, you don’t necessarily have to hire an air ambulance. Today, professional medical escort services are a great alternative to expensive medical transport.

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Common Benefits That a Good Medical Transportation Company Can Ensure

An efficient medical transportation management company should be able to make your travel stress free and most comfortable.

When looking for a company that organizes Medical Repatriations don’t be in a hurry to select one. Do your research, after all it is the life and health of a loved one involved. Select a specialist in medical transportation management that has a good proven record and will deliver what they promise. Have a look at certain benefits that must be included in the package.

1. Safety

A good medical transportation company is one that has the right policies in place, in order to respond most adequately to the needs of users looking to travel long distance for medical reasons. A newly found company with little experience will ideally not be a good choice.

2. Customer Friendly

A good Medical Repatriations company will have the patience to hear out with patience about he needs of a patient and be able to explain their services in detail to his family or the inquiring person. The patient should believe in his decision in order to feel comfortable when travelling long distance with strangers.

3. Qualified Professionals

Choose a company that comprises of a team of experienced experts who have  a good reputation. Read their reviews on their website also consult friends and family who might have used their services before.

4. Important Points

Also keep the following points in mind-

·         Compare prices with services offered

·         Check if the company is fully insured and has legal bonds.

·         Trust your gut and choose somebody who will care.

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Long Distance Medical Transportation for Seniors

Senior citizens today have a wide choice in medical transportation services and do not need to feel dependent on anybody.

Senior citizens with medical issues and no family to count on can move around with internationally and nationally with the help of a long distance transportation services company. Let’s have a look at the options available for them.

1. Local Taxis

A senior is allowed to use a taxi service at subsidized rates provided they meet the eligibility criterion. Different communities have different programs to offer and vary on factors like age, ailment, reason and income.

2. Air Travel

It is best to contact a long distance medical transport company when a senior citizen needs to travel a long distance by air. A well reputed company can take care of all arrangements and keep the medical condition in mind. A medical transportation management company can take care of the logistical support like booking tickets, ground clearance and coordination with the airline. They can also arrange for oxygen during travel, a medical escort if needed and in extreme cases can also organize an air ambulance.

3. Travel by Land

Most vehicles for long distance medical travel come equipped with a bed, a toilet and a small kitchen too. Seniors can be rest assured that there will be qualified medical representatives who will accompany him all the way.

4. Hire a Medical Escort

When a senior is travelling for medical reasons he can get in touch with a commercial medical escorts services company. A medical escort will be with him till he reaches his destination. He or she will take care of all details and let the senior citizen just concentrate on resting peacefully.

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Physiological Assessment: Guide for Physicians Working With Medical Escort Services

When determining the physiological condition of a patient, it is essential to consider the pathological history along with these physical symptoms.

The decision of whether a patient is fit to fly or not is a critical one. The altitude of the place and the pressure of the air at great heights can influence quite a few physical symptoms and can drastically deteriorate his physical condition. Commercial medical escorts services will give a go ahead only after they are fully convinced of their examination. Have a look at a small guide that should be considered by physicians when working with medical escorts services.

1. High Altitude

Most commercial airlines fly at an altitude that ranges between 4000 to 8000 feet. This in very simple terms implies that the pressure drops to almost 20% and causes  a reduction in the amount of oxygen available for the body. In medical terms when determining the pros and cons the condition called hypoxia should be considered.

2. Effect on Ears and Eustachian Tubes

Commercial flight medical escorts are fully aware that the air in an aircraft will start expanding as the plane gains height. The patient is already suffering from an illness and this changing environment can sometimes cause a perforation in his ear drum. This is more likely as the Eustachian tubes are already infected or blocked due to infection.

3. Dryness in the Tracts

The dryness in the air can cause drying of the mouth and the wind pipe. It is essential that medical escorts doctors ensure that patient does not suffer from dehydration of the central system and care should be taken to avoid a plasma osmolality like condition.

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Benefits of Medical Transportation for Senior Citizens

There are numerous benefits offered by non-emergency medical transport service providers to senior citizens including forgetting about health concerns while on their way to treatment. Here, the elderly citizens have the choice of availing either a private ambulance service or some other type of medical transport. Let’s find out more!

Travelling with an elderly citizen can be a stressful event, but non emergency medical transport has made it much easier for elders to travel while providing them all the necessary equipments to make their trip more comfortable. Other benefits provided by medical transportation companies include:

1.Allowed To Carry FAA Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Trying to secure a comfortable air travel via commercial airlines could be a difficult task as they do not allow oxygen tanks on-board even for transportation purpose. This makes it very difficult for elders to fly long distances, especially when they need oxygen supplies and oximeter monitoring. Here is where medical transportation proves beneficial as you are allowed to carry FAA approved portable oxygen concentrators for air travel.

2.Medical Amenities At Every  Step

Maximum airports provide elders with free wheelchairs only for a limited distance which is as short as the space between ticket counter to the main gate. However the non-emergencymedical transportation companies make sure they provide the patient with the much needed care & medical attention and give them the comfort of their home while travelling.

3.Constant Medical Supervision

Medical transport is especially beneficial to all elders who require medical supervision or use of medical equipment during long distance travel. The senior citizens can greatly benefit from medical transportation services as the medical coaches are specially designed to provide complete comfort and convenience, relieving then from all the worries of care and constant medical supervision.

4.Life Saver

Medical transport for senior citizens greatly acts as a life saver in situation of medical emergencies as it is generally faster in comparison to other normal transportation facilities. Air ambulance companies can even get senior citizens to secure medical facilities from remotest locations within a matter of few hours. 

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What Should You Expect From Non-Emergency Medical Air Transport

Sometimes, patients who are stable but are unable to travel by conventional means are required to use non emergency medical transportation services owing to their mobility issues, oxygen requirements and ease of travel. But before you contact any non emergency medical air transport company, get to know what you should expect from their services.

Medical transportation has been evolving rapidly to meet even the most unexpected demands of patients with perfect ease. In fact, even the remotest of places have gained 24 hour access to emergency and non-emergency medical air transport services today. Medical attendants along with the entire crew on-board are qualified to provide required medical assistance to patients on board and also on ground.

How Non-Emergency Medical Air Transport Services Operate

In most areas, air ambulance services operate in city or county and also as independent operators. All the air medical transport companies are required to be fully licensed and insured and must meet the state federal and certification requirements.  

Every service provider is expected to maintain a team of fully trained flight attendants who are dedicated to work towards the safety of every patient. The fight crew should include a minimum of one pilot, a well qualified paramedic along with a critical care nurse.

Types of Aircraft Used

Most of the non-emergency medical transportation companies make use of a wide range of aircrafts for the purpose of safely transporting medical patients to formal medical care units. The size of the airplane to be used is generally decided upon the location and condition of the patient.

Most cabins inside the plane are outfitted with the latest medical facilities, which allow patients to be conveniently transported to desired locations even during extreme weather conditions and for emergency relocation of critical patients in times of need.

Levels of Medical Air Transportation

Typically, there are three levels of medical air transportation services namely, basic life support, advanced support and lastly, critical care. These levels are indicative of the level of care, use of medical equipments and level of trained medical staff required by the patient while travelling.  

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4 Benefits of Portable Oxygen Concentrators over Tanks

Portable oxygen therapy has come a long way ever since its inception. Initially, patients only had the option of using metal oxygen tanks as their portable oxygen, but with advances in technology emerged liquid oxygen and finally portable oxygen concentrators. So what benefits do these provide over traditional tanks? Let’s find out!

It has only been a few years when portable oxygen concentrators started becoming main stream. In the beginning only a few people preferred their use and eventually they have now become a household item. Though many doctors and patients believe that portable oxygen concentrators are similar to metal oxygen tanks, but this is far away from truth. Here are the reasons why:

1. They Produce Their Own Oxygen 

Liquid oxygen and oxygen tanks are generally pressurized canisters limited by a standard capacity level. Once the stored oxygen is used and depleted it needs to be refilled. Portable oxygen concentrators on the other hand do not require any sort of refill as they produce their own medical grade oxygen.

2. Can Be Easily Transported  

Transporting oxygen tanks has always been a hassle. Though carrying one tank is simple, problem arises when you have to carry additional tanks in case you run out of oxygen. Moreover bringing extra tanks can pose potential safety hazards. Portable oxygen concentrators not only produce their own oxygen, but are also convenient to carry around as they come with travel cart or custom carrying case or both.

3. Can Be Carried On Air Plane

Liquid oxygen and oxygen tanks are not allowed to be carried on commercial airplanes. In fact you are not even allowed to carry them even if you aren't using them. Oxygen patients can only fly with portable oxygenconcentrator for air travel that is approved by FAA.

4. Can Be Recharged On The Go

Portable oxygen concentrators are battery operated and can be electrically charged where ever you go. But don’t forget to carry extra batteries when travelling via air medical evacuation services. 

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Medical Repatriations: What You Should Know

Travelling aboard with a health cover from the native country is a good idea. A cover that can take care of a traumatic situation is best suited for such journeys.

A good emergency transportation company will take care of all Medical Repatriations and ambulance transport needs of a customer. Repatriation in very simple terms implies the process of returning an individual to his native place of origin. Let’s read about it in detail: 

1. Medical Situation

If an individual falls ill while in a foreign country, there is every possibility that his insurance cover will not hold true there. Countries that have universal coverage for heath have particular rules about health covers for travel and accidents. The hospital in the foreign country can react and provide services in the following manner -

•  Only provide emergency care services
•  May offer charity care without charging anything or offer services at reduced rates.
• Suggest Repatriation of the patient to his country of origin.
•  Offer private ambulance services, if the patient can afford them.

2. Patients Immediate Needs

The hospitals face a tough challenge in deciding the limit to which they can offer to a patient who is facing a medical situation away from home. In certain cases, the insurance company of the patient is asked to make ambulance transport arrangements and take the patient home. Transport arrangements can be made by a commercial flight, by land or by an air ambulance.

3. Repatriation Services

Like any other travel services, medical repatriation service companies take care of all emergency situations, documentation and logistics needs. More than monetary assistance, they provide you the necessary support required in a trauma situation.

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When Is It a Right Time to Call a Private Ambulance Service?

An emergency medical situation can catch anybody by surprise and shock. To be able to reach the hospital immediately is the first priority for near and dear ones in that situation.

A medical emergency can soon turn in to a life and death situation if an ambulance and medical help does not reach on time. Hiring a private ambulance is the next best option in such a situation.

In a medical emergency, private ambulance services are very useful when you want to reach a hospital on time. They can also be hired when you want to go and see the doctor and will be more comfortable in transporting your loved one with a professional on hand, just in case.

Have a look at this backup option in detail -

1. Ambulance Transport

The response procedure of a private ambulance transport is very similar to calling 911. The officer who picks up the phone makes a quick assessment of the situation, gives a handover to a standby medical team and dispatches them with the right equipment to handle the situation at hand.

2. On Arrival

Once the ambulance arrives, the patient is boarded on the ambulance and taken to the closest designated emergency hospital. It is the responsibility of the professional on board the ambulance to arrive at the scene with portable oxygen concentrator for travel.

3. Private ambulance services

A private ambulance should be ideally called when the patient wants to go to a particular hospital of his choice. In an emergency situation, there’s hardly any time to do homework.  It’s therefore a good idea to consider a reputed private ambulance service.

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