Medical Evacuation: Saving lives, helping families

Chris Hutton and his wife Julie 

A first-year med student didn’t know that his family membership with AirMed would come into play one day in early 2014

Sandy Kinkade Hutton has been an AirMed member for the past eight years. When she married Kevin Hutton in 2011, she added both her husband and stepson, Chris, onto her membership.

Chris Hutton is a first year med student at American University of the Caribbean located on Saint-Martin island in the Caribbean. Chris had experienced inability to urinate for several days, and finally made a decision along with his wife, Julie, who is a French citizen, to go to the local hospital to be checked by a doctor.

During what would be fairly routine treatment in any metropolitan medical center, the island medical staff was unable to place a catheter and traumatized Chris’s urethra. Then they managed to slice off a segment of a plastic catheter inside Chris’ bladder. His situation went from bad to worse within hours with concerns of peritonitis mounting. “The island surgeon said he had sliced off the tip of the catheter.” It wasn’t until we were back in the U.S. that the urologist told us it was a foot long piece of catheter,” Sandy said.

After the “oops” moment with the catheter, the Hutton’s knew they needed to get Chris off that island and to a higher level of medical care back in the United States. Sandy told him to make the call to AirMed.

Once the call to AirMed was made, AirMed put its operation in motion. “We talked to AirMed the entire time. We heard from them through email and through phone calls, they kept us informed every step of the way,” Sandy recalls.

Chris states "Lying in pain in a bed at night there at the island's hospital, it was the worst feeling, to feel a million miles away from home. Once the crews arrived, everything changed. I knew from the instant they walked in that I was safe, and on the road to recovery."

AirMed arrived, and Chris was transported to the University of Miami Hospital early the next morning. Because it was an international flight, U.S. Customs came to the ramp to check all passports. Chris was transported by ambulance to the hospital. “AirMed even arranged for a taxi to take Julie to the hospital when she was finished with Customs. It was just a level of completeness—AirMed saw to it that nobody was left stranded.” said Sandy.

Chris was taken into surgery in Miami to remove the catheter and assess the situation. A new catheter was inserted and remained in place for 3 days. It was removed, and Chris and Julie were able to return to St. Martin to resume his medical school studies with a new understanding of what it is like to be the patient.

Kevin and Sandy Kinkade Hutton

“The thing that makes this entire event even more remarkable,” Sandy continued, “is that I was a flight nurse for 13 years, and Kevin was a flight physician. I am a past President of the Association for Air Medical Services (AAMS), and Kevin is the current Chairman of MedEvac Foundation International. We really know this industry, inside and out. Neither of us ever, in a million years, thought we’d need to use our AirMed membership. It was SUCH a relief knowing that one call took care of everything.”

“As a flight nurse, I remember arriving at hospitals and the sigh of relief on people’s faces when the flight crew would show up,” Sandy said. “For the first time, I was on the other end of that scenario. I was on the patient side, and I knew professionals were on their way to get Chris off the island and that they were fully able to take care for him. It was such a relief once I knew the medical crew was on that island.”

Dr. Kevin Hutton added, “We want to really stress the fact that you never think it’s going happen to you. You simply never know when something like this will happen. Had we not had the AirMed membership, we’re not sure how this whole thing would have transpired.”

Sandy said, “I’ve seen so many times where people think their health insurance will cover this type of thing and it doesn’t. I’ve kept my AirMed membership all this time because you’d like to think that healthcare is good everywhere, especially on an island known for attracting tourists, but it is not.”

Chris and his family knew that AirMed had their back. Since he’s been back at school, Sandy has helped Chris write a protocol for the medical school he attends to try and put some sort of medevac membership policy in place. “ In the event of a medical emergency such as this, being prepared is the key,” she said. Chris commented, "I don't know what we would have done without AirMed membership. I am so grateful that my family is covered for the future."

Kevin added “We will NEVER be without an AirMed card.” Several of the Hutton’s family members are also new AirMed members.

Be Safe During Spring Break. A Guide for Parents and Students

From Moxie Health

While the biggest problems facing most of the thousands of spring breakers headed to the beach in the next few weeks will be hangovers and sunburn, things can happen, and kids and parents should be prepared.

Before anyone takes off for South Padre Island, Lake Havasu or Cancun, it’s a good idea to set some up some safeguards — and have a plan if something does go wrong. Communication is the first to-do on most spring break safety lists. Know when your kid is leaving, where they’re staying and who they’re going with, and ask them to check in by phone on a pre-arranged schedule.

 If you are the spring breaker, have everyone program the emergency contact information for each member of your group into their phones to avoid panic and delay if something does happen.

Be insured for health emergencies

This is especially important if kids are traveling out of the United States. Many student health insurance plans will not cover injuries sustained out of the country and worse, medical evacuation is incredibly expensive, as much as $100,000 for an international airlift by jet and $50,000 domestically. You can buy both health insurance and medical evacuation insurance to cover travel health emergencies.

“We have a great product we hope you will never have to use,” says Sarah Hanley, director of corporate communications for AirMed. With one call, AirMed will dispatch a medically-equipped jet to evacuate an injured kid back home, not just to the nearest acceptable facility, from anywhere on the globe. The company also has a 24/7 medical logistics team that can give referrals, consultations and prescription assistance for sick or injured people abroad. AirMed also provides transport between domestic hospitals and specialty facilities for treatment. AirMed offers short- and long-term student, individual, and family coverage, with costs ranging from $115-$400.

Read the complete Spring Break Safety article at Moxie Lady Online.

Most Dangerous Countries for Drivers

A new study from the University of Michigan maps global fatalities from car accidents.

By Derek Thompson, The Atlantic

Driving a car is safer than ever for the simple reason that cars are safer than ever—thanks to features like seat belts, air bags, and electronic stability control. That's one reason why deaths per miles driven have plummeted around the developed world in the five decades since Ralph Nader published Unsafe at Any Speed. In fact, the U.S. used to be the safest country for drivers among all OECD countries in the early 1970s. By the middle of the last decade, the rest of the world had caught up.

This week, a new study (pdf) from the Transportation Research Initiative at the University of Michigan looks at global driving fatalities with up-to-date World Health Organization data. Around the world, deaths in fatal car crashes are 1/6th as likely as dying from a common health problem, like heart disease. In the U.S., where road crashes account for just 2 percent of deaths, individuals are 13 times more likely to die from cancer.

Read the Full Article at The Atlantic website.

Travel and Health News, the latest issue is out

AirMed is there not only when you need us, but where you need us.

In this issue of Travel+Health, AirMed's member newsletter:

• How does AirMed work?
• A CEO's business trip turns terrifying
• The Number One Traveler's Health Issue 
• Our members sound off, and more!
  

Follow this link to see the full AirMed News. 

Security Concerns for 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Sochi – a city located in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia on the Black Sea coast -- from 7 to 23 February 2014. The Games are expected to draw more than 120,000 spectators, approximately 5,400 athletes and support staff, and thousands of media, broadcasters and Olympic officials.

Travelers to the Games should be aware of the Security Concerns outlined below, along with details regarding security measures, airport facilities, transportation and accommodations. 

Security Concerns

The primary security concern related to the Winter Olympics is terrorism. The potential for protests and other forms of unrest, as well as general concerns related to crime and the rate of corruption in Russia, should also be considered.

Terrorism

Although Sochi has remained relatively free of terror activity in recent years, terrorism is the primary security concern for the Olympics. Both domestic and transnational militant Islamist groups could target the Olympic Games; however, the Caucasus Emirate (CE) -- a domestically operating militant Islamist group that is part of the global jihadist movement -- is most likely to be the perpetrator of any attacks during the Olympics.

Crime
Due to its prominent status as a domestic tourist destination and the associated high level of security, serious crime has traditionally been less of a concern for travelers in Sochi than in some other Russian cities. Concerns are heightened during the Games. however, due to the potential for opportunistic individuals seeking to take advantages of the large number of foreign travelers. Basic precautions against petty and other minor crimes should be taken, and travelers should avoid the poorer residential areas outside of the main Olympic venues as a precaution.

Hate crimes motivated by ethnicity or sexual orientation are a concern in many Russian cities. In light of the increased international attention, security forces will likely be more diligent in responding to and preventing such incidents, particularly when foreign nationals are involved. All foreigners should act with caution when mingling with locals, and potential targets of hate crimes should minimize time spent in isolated areas and avoid public displays of affection or other identifying remarks in these situations.

Anti-LGTB Legislation
As indicated in the Protests and Other Disorder section above, Russia recently passed a law that bans homosexual “propaganda” aimed at minors, which has prompted considerable international discussion regarding the rights of LGTB visitors to Russia during the Games. While the law itself fails to adequately define what is considered “propaganda” and does potentially allow the prosecution of activists for a wide variety of actions, the Russian
leadership has repeatedly assured that, while all Russian laws will be enforced during the Games, the rights of LGTB spectators and participants will be respected.

Security Measures
Intensive security measures are being put in place for the Games. An estimated US$3 billion of the US$51 billion budget for the Sochi Olympics is reportedly being used for security. In addition to physical security barriers, reports have indicated that the city and venues are also being equipped with approximately 1,400 closed circuit TVs. It remains unclear the extent to which these security measures will be visible to the general public or hamper movement or other activity during the Games.

For a full copy of the Olympic Games Sochi security report, which includes extensive background information along with airport and transportation logistics, AirMed members may contact us to request it. 800-356-2161 or email. 

Don't let jet lag spoil your trip!

Jet lag, more formally known as desynchronosis, is a temporary disorder caused by a disruption of your body’s normal circadian rhythm or internal body clock. As any international traveler can tell you, jet lag occurs after rapid travel across multiple time zones. The most common symptoms are sleep disorders and daytime fatigue, but they can also include anxiety, constipation, confusion, dehydration, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness and memory loss.

What’s in a Zone?

The cause of jet lag is the inability of the body to immediately adapt to a different time zone. Your body has an internal 24-hour clock located in the hypothalamus of the brain which is triggered by environmental factors, the most important of which is light.

When the hypothalamus senses light, it stops the production of melatonin. This allows your body to “wake up” and begin its normal daily functions. When the hypothalamus senses an absence of light, it signals for the production of melatonin which helps put the body to sleep. Therefore, when an air traveler leap frogs through time zones, and thus perceives dawn and dusk with several hours difference from what a biological clock is expecting, the hypothalamus triggers activities for which the rest of the body is not prepared.

Go West!

Travelers flying east typically experience more severe symptoms, because they “lose” time. For example, if your body believes it is 1 a.m. (New York time) but your brain is sensing the 7 a.m. bright morning sunlight in Paris (you lucky dog), you will still be very sleepy due to your preprogrammed sleep cycle. We cannot immediately adapt to the new time zone, but gradually the internal clock will acclimate–usually at the rate of 1 time zone per day.

Travelers flying west have a little easier time because it is easier to extend your waking cycle (when you “gain” time) than it is to shorten a waking cycle. Adaptation usually occurs at a rate of 1.5 time zones per day.

Early to Bed

To help prevent jet lag, you can start adapting your body prior to your trip by gradually moving your bedtime and/ or wake time towards your destination’s time zone. Stay well hydrated during your travel, and avoid caffeine and alcohol, which not only promote dehydration but also disrupt sleep cycles.

Once you board your flight, change your watch to your destination’s time zone. Try to sleep on the plane at times that are appropriate at the destination. Between naps, get up and move about the aircraft, stretch your legs and find some way to engage your brain (puzzles, books, conversations). If you are on a flight that will cross more than 8 times zones, consider scheduling your flight in such a way that you can take a 1-2 day layover halfway.

Why not just take a pill?

Medications may help, but should be used only after you have consulted your physician. Mild sedatives (benzodiapines, like Valium or Ativan) may help you get to sleep and adjust to the new time zones, however, using these medications on the flight itself will increase your risk of developing blood clots in the legs. Use of these medications may also cause morning-time “fuzziness” and even memory loss. Ambien, a well-known sleep aid, has the same potential side effects, but can also cause bizarre behavior and sleep walking, which could be an issue if you are staying in an unfamiliar place.

----------------------------

Dr. Beth Phillips, MD, is the Director of Medical Operations at AirMed International

What if you need medical evacuation?

There isn't a traveler alive who thinks they will be calling an air ambulance at the beginning, middle or end of their trip.  Whether it's a business trip or a bucket list vacation, no one expects to have an accident or be struck with a serious illness while they are away from home. That is where AirMed comes in.

Your health and safety means the world to us

If you become ill or injured while traveling, AirMed will safely deliver you to the hospital of your choice. If you receive a serious health diagnosis and don’t know where to turn, AirMed is there for you, coordinating every aspect of a medical or second opinion referral. This and so much more is the assurance AirMed offers to our members. We strive to be more than just a card in your wallet; we are your peace of mind.

• We cover every trip you take even domestically.
• You don’t have to be critically ill or injured to qualify for a flight.
• There are no deductibles, claim forms or out of pocket expenses.
• Pre-existing conditions are accepted.
• There are no financial limitations for medical transports.

More than simple travel insurance

AirMed is an important enhancement to existing health and travel insurance. Most insurance policies focus on trip cancellation and lost luggage. AirMed focuses on taking care of your healthcare when you need us most. In other words, we save lives, not luggage.

AirMed memberships protect your most important asset: your health. In the midst of an emergency or serious medical diagnosis, reliability and cost should be your last concern. AirMed provides you access to an unsurpassed quality of care, every day of the year.  Find out more about air medical memberships that cover you for one trip or all year at airmed.com 

How to Get Your Luggage Back

So you're standing at the luggage carousel like an putz. Everybody else on your flight has already gotten their gear and left, as have two flights that landed after yours, but you're still there, silently praying that you bag is just a second away from popping through the hole and tumbling down into your waiting arms. It's not going to happen. Here's what to do.

Blaze a Paper Trail

Do not leave the airport without filing a bag claim with the airline. This is essential because, just as with arguing your way out of service fees, filing the claim establishes a clear paper trail of when and where the loss occurred. This is super helpful, as nothing stops service agents from giving you the runaround faster than facts, and you're going to get a good deal of runaround.

Don't Hesitate to Escalate

So it's been two days in paradise, you're still wearing the same pants you got off the plane with, and the most helpful response you've received from your airline's customer service so far has been a perfunctory shoulder shrug. It's time to complain louder.

For more helpful information, read the full article at gizmodo.com.

Winter Driving Tips, Surviving Jet Lag, the Smallest Heart Patient and More

The latest AirMed Travel + Health News is full of great information for all of your travel and health needs this holiday season.  Jet lag? No problem. We've got ways to combat it.  Read all about one of our smallest and most miraculous patients and so much more. 

Click this link to read all the AirMed News and even get a discount code to Give the Gift of AirMed to the travelers in your life!

Visit us anytime at airmed.com to find our more about our life-saving air medical memberships with great benefits such as Second Opinion Referrals, 24/7 Medical Services Hotline and more.

Philippine Typhoon is "Unprecedented Disaster"

© Erik de Castro/Reuters, Courtesy Trust.org

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) emergency coordinator in the Philippines Dr. Natasha Reyes describes the devastation brought by Typhoon Haiyan and what the medical needs are now. 

“Right now we’re operating in a relative black hole of information. We know from the very little we can see that the situation is terrible. But it’s what we don’t see that’s the most worrying. The reports we’re receiving from Tacloban are that the entire city of 400,000 people has been devastated. But there are hundreds of other towns and villages stretched over thousands of kilometers that were in the path of the typhoon and with which all communication has been cut. 

To be honest, no one knows what the situation is like in these more rural and remote places, and it’s going to be some time before we have a full picture. 

Unprecedented Disaster 

This sort of disaster is unprecedented in the Philippines. The effect is something like a massive earthquake followed by huge floods. 

...Our priority is to address the urgent and immediate medical needs, of which we are sure there are many. After that, really it’s everything – shelter, water, food. They’ve lost everything. 

At this early stage, the big issue for us is moving people and aid supplies to the affected area. Tacloban itself has limited capacity for flights, but we are doing our best to get our teams up and running. 

See the full story at the Doctors without Borders site. 

Delays in U.S. Airport Customs Take Economic Toll

Hurry Up and Wait.

The time spent in Customs lines in U.S. airports equates to an economic loss of $416 million annually, according to a study just released by the United States Travel Association.

The report, entitled “Gateway to Jobs & Growth,” examines the effect the U.S. entry process has on the U.S. economy. Some of its other findings include an estimated 2.7 million international travelers do not even attempt to cross U.S. borders due to perceived or, in some cases, actual red-tape involved in the Customs process. The USTA estimates this translates into a 11.1 billion economic loss.

In addition to identifying current problems, the study contains 20 policy recommendations on how to improve the entry experience for international travelers coming to the U.S. and to better support hard-working officers at Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) who strive daily to keep our nation secure. 

The U.S. Travel Association’s report proposes hiring an additional 3,500 Customs officers and implementing new technology to reduce peak wait times by 50 percent and process each international traveler within 30 minutes of arrival. The findings were compiled in a letter to Congress and signed by prominent travel industry executives.

The average Customs wait time at the Miami International airport is 4.48 hours.

Hearing Loss Symptoms and Prevention Tips

Protection is Key to Preventing Hearing Loss

Music, television, crowd noise, video clips, cellphones, street noise, ambulances, fire trucks and airplanes are just some of the noises that we hear on a daily basis. As a culture we have become inundated with LOUD noises that contribute to different types of hearing loss. It is estimated 32.5 million people in the United States are experiencing hearing loss symptoms.  Hearing loss can be painless and not recognized until permanent damage is done. Exposure to high levels of sound on a regular basis can cause damage to the microscopic hairs within the ear that are responsible for acute to severe hearing loss.

How loud is too loud? 

Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) are considered "hearing loss damage decibels" and may cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and/or permanent damage to your ability decipher sounds. Here are some hearing loss statistics:

• Normal conversation is measured at a noise level of 50-70 dB. 
• A motorcycle or lawn mower is 85-90 dB. 
• A typical rock concert is measured at 110 to120 dB. 
• An ambulance siren or jet engine at take-off is 119-140 dB. 

Regular exposure--even wearing headphones or ear buds--can be dangerous if the volume is too loud. As a good rule of thumb, if you can hear the music when someone is wearing their headphones, it is too loud!

Protection, Protection, Protection

Hearing protection can include ear plugs, ear muffs, and headphones. Those who work in a high risk environment should know that it is imperative to wear the best ear protection and take as many “quiet’ breaks as possible.

• Get your hearing tested yearly to track any loss that may occur.
•  Try to avoid long exposure to any dB over 85-90.

Younger generations should be encouraged to protect their hearing so they will enjoy the sounds of life as they age. They will thank you when they are grandparents.

Remember PROTECTION, PROTECTION, and PROTECTION!! Hearing loss is preventable!!!

Travel, Health, AirMed's Latest Newsletter

In this issue of AirMed News, we spotlight some of the best travel apps for smart phones to help your travel worries be few and far between. Also, one of AirMed's own staff recalls the reason she supports organ donation in a heartbreaking and uplifting story. 

Check out the member questions, a professional racecar driver's AirMed transport story, and so much more.

Travel Health News from AirMed - 2013

Important Documents - Where to Store Them When You Travel

Travel Tips: Always keep a digital back up of your passport

AirMed membership benefits include free international legal referrals, emergency call relay and 24/7 medical services hotline for referrals to English-speaking, Western trained doctors.  Find out more at airmed.com.

Inside the World of an International Flight Dispatcher

Dispatches from the Air Medical Field

The dispatchers at AirMed have their fingerprints all over flight operations for the company. Lead Dispatcher Jason Garcia took some time to tell us about the department and their important part of the air medical process.

by Jason Garcia
Lead Dispatcher at AirMed International

I actually had never heard of flight dispatching until a few months before I was enrolled in a flight dispatch class working on my certification. Fresh out of the Army and living off the generosity of relatives, I somehow completed the course with no problems and found myself looking for my first job as a flight dispatcher in the wake of 9/11. I had received my dispatch license only one week prior to September 11, 2001. After stints in Wichita and Cleveland, I came to AirMed in 2004 and have been here ever since.

Dispatchers deal with weather, air traffic, visibility issues,

customs issues, flight planning, pilot staffing, and

have a host of other unsung talents that help AirMed's

air medical flights operate smoothly.

AirMed dispatch combines every possible aspect of planning and logistics for our long-distance and domestic medical transports. Besides the flight planning and weather checking, we spend much of our time dealing with foreign handlers and customs agents all over the USA and abroad.

In today’s modern aviation environment there exists a huge list of little things you need to keep track of in order for trips to run smoothly. I have described my team of dispatchers as the busy legs that keep the duck looking so serene and relaxed on the pond…only this pond is full of alligators, red tape and rapidly changing requirements from other countries. Needless to say, I rely heavily on local handling agents to keep everything running properly and to make sure that our patients are brought safely home and that we exceed all their expectations.

Here at AirMed we only hire certified Part 121 flight dispatchers. That means they have passed the FAA Flight Dispatcher’s course and have been issued an FAA dispatcher license. The course includes classes on flight planning, aircraft performance and lots of instruction on reading weather forecast and condition reports. That sounds simple enough, but no one breezes through Dispatch School, and it is not uncommon for people to know the exact score they received on the final exam literally decades after taking the test. (I got a 92.)

Being a successful flight dispatcher requires a few other talents. All good dispatchers are organized and use their experience to plan ahead a few steps. I can always tell when a new dispatcher is progressing well in their training by the level of questions they ask. Not the number of questions, but rather the complexity of the question, such as how a single aspect of a trip can affect the success of the trip as a whole.

In the end though, every trip is different. To be successful, I am constantly rolling with the punches and playing them as I see fit. Sometimes I believe that I can expect a day where there could be no surprises and have it complicated with a typhoon or Israeli sorties in Lebanon or both. In those cases, a sense of humor may be a dispatcher’s most valuable commodity.

Over the years I have learned that no matter how deep the hole I find myself standing in, I always somehow find a way to make things all work out. Focusing on the trip and reminding myself and the dispatchers that someone is relying on our team to get them home after they hurt themselves while far from home is paramount. “Who better than me to get this person home to their family.” I actually say that to myself sometimes, and it works.

When the patient is delivered and the crew is on their way back to our home base, I enjoy a victory meal. The McDonalds by my house is open all night...they know me.

STEP into safety with free State Department Service

Know Before You Go

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. STEP also allows Americans residing abroad to get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. For FAQs and to sign up, visit https://step.state.gov

AirMed provides our members detailed pre-travel country and city information, pertinent security information, and where the appropriate embassies, police stations, and hospitals are located. AirMed also recommends that our members enroll in the STEP program.

To become an AirMed member, visit airmed.com.

What to Know When Civil Unrest Strikes When You Travel

AirMed Provides Members with Security Assistance Around the Clock

You can rarely turn on the news and not see video or a news story about civil unrest happening somewhere in the world. Riots, demonstrations, and terrorist activities can occur anywhere in the world, especially in largely populated cities.

AirMed can and does provide assistance to our members if a crisis erupts. AirMed has close connections and agreements with multiple international security firms who specialize in up-to-the-minute security information and getting people out of harm’s way.

Should you, as an AirMed member, become trapped in a dangerous situation where civil unrest is occurring near you or in the city you have traveled, AirMed will get you the necessary information you need and even make arrangements to evacuate you to a designated safe haven or city or location away from the danger.

If you happen to become caught in an unsafe situation, our members can contact us, and we will act as liaison between the member and the security firm, ensuring that you receive the information and assistance you need. Our contacts are experienced in getting people critical information, most even have “boots on the ground” ready to assist in a timely manner.

Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the U.S. State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.

All of the steps and information AirMed provides to assist you during an unstable situation are there to add to your peace of mind while traveling.

For up to the minute alerts, visit travel.state.gov.
Or, become an AirMed member and have 24/7 access to our
security and travel assistance. airmed.com.

Top U.S. Travel Destinations for 2013

Some of the Best Travel Destinations are Right Here

AirMed is an important enhancement to existing health and travel insurance. Most insurance policies focus on trip cancellation and lost luggage. AirMed focuses on taking care of your family when you need us the most. In other words, we save lives, not luggage. Find out more at airmed.com. 

How many travelers require emergency care?

It Happens More Than You Would Think

AirMed is an important enhancement to existing health and travel insurance. Most insurance policies focus on trip cancellation and lost luggage. AirMed focuses on taking care of your family when you need us the most. In other words, we save lives, not luggage.

As an AirMed member, you will receive air medical transportation from any point on the globe if you are ill or injured while away from home. Find out complete details for your family, at airmed.com. 

Worldwide Heart Attack Stats

Heart Failure Can Happen Anywhere

AirMed memberships will bring you home to the hospital of your choice if you are hospitalized while away from home. Find out complete details for your family, at airmed.com.