How to prepare for medical repatriation during a package holiday
A medical emergency on a package holiday can be tricky, as repatriation support varies. Unlike independent travel, package holidays often provide more organised help through your travel company. We'll discuss it in this blog.
The popularity of package holidays
More and more Brits are opting for package holidays when travelling abroad. And there are many benefits: they save time and hassle when it comes to planning and bookings. They can be competitively priced and they offer a high degree of protection, including travel insurance. But what if you suffer a medical emergency while abroad and want to return home as soon as possible? Do package holidays cover medical repatriation? For instance, repatriation from Kuwait and repatriation from Australia.
Impact of package holidays on medical repatriation
The structure of package holidays can influence medical repatriation, particularly due to the logistical and administrative challenges that arise when a group is involved.
What is the difference for travellers booking a package holiday versus independent travellers?
As a package holiday traveller, you often benefit from organised support and the rapid arrangement of medical evacuation through the travel company. On the other hand, when travelling independently, you are responsible for your own arrangements and must ensure that your insurance provides adequate coverage in case of emergency.
What role does the travel company play in repatriation?
In the event of a genuine medical emergency, your travel company can usually assist with coordinating medical care or repatriation. This may include arranging transport to a hospital or providing support for your return journey home. While the travel company can help, it is your responsibility to ensure you are adequately insured for all associated costs.
Medical repatriation coverage from the insurance
It’s something no-one wants to think about when planning a holiday, but it’s important to consider what would happen if you suffered a medical emergency abroad. Many of us enjoy the benefits of the EHIC scheme, which entitles us the access to healthcare while travelling within the EU at a reduced cost or free of charge, but might not realise that it doesn’t cover repatriation.
Additional travel insurance can always be taken out, but if you’ve booked your holiday as a Package Holiday through an UK travel agent or tour operator, you’re probably already covered under the The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations of 1992. This cover includes repatriation without requiring separate repatriation insurance.
With these steps you are prepared during a package holiday
Plan your medical repatriation in advance
Make researching medical repatriation options part of your travel planning. Also, contact your travel company or insurer to understand what support you can expect in case of a medical emergency. And check the emergency helplines in the country you are visiting, so you can act quickly in the event of a medical crisis.
Ensure clear communication with your travel company
Make sure your travel company clearly understands their role in a medical emergency and whether they are able to assist in getting you back home if needed.
Verify and understand your insurance
Contact your health insurer before your trip to check what is covered and what is not. Ensure that you have coverage for medical repatriation and that you know how to quickly start the process in case of an emergency.
How do I arrange a medical repatriation through my holiday package?
The exact process can vary from one tour operator to the next depending on their policies and those of the insurance companies they partner with. However, in most cases, there will be an emergency assistance number you can call to find out what your next steps should be.
Different insurers might have different requirements before they accept the charges of the repatriation, often these centre around medical necessity. Most insurance companies will assess internally if your situation meets their requirements. If not, they will in all likelihood offer to cover the expenses of local treatment, and possibly accommodation.
What if I still want to go home?
Being in hospital abroad can be extremely unsettling and traumatic – both for the patient and their family and friends. The differences in practices, patient care and hygiene standards, the challenges of navigating a foreign healthcare system often involving a different language all add to the stress people experience. It’s not surprising that many who find themselves in such a situation prefer to go home as soon as possible – even if their insurance company has denied their application.
In such cases, medical repatriation companies like EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation can help. We work independently from insurance companies and can carry out our own medical examinations. If it’s safe for the patient to travel, we can almost always find a way to bring them home. We offer medical repatriation services by long-distance Road Ambulance, by private Air Ambulance or on a commercial flight with a Medical Escort.
The first step: get in touch!
So we can listen to you and understand your situation. Our medical team will then assess the case and advise on the best way forward. If you then request a free quote, we always aim to get that back to you within an hour, so you know exactly what’s involved and what your options are. Once payment has been received, our teams take care of all the details and make all the arrangements for a seamless bed-to-bed service.
