We always strive to find the nearest medical centre but they may not always have the most suitable facilities. However, global providers are well prepared for these kinds of challenges and experience and determination are a formidable combination. Insurance companies have to overcome a range of potential obstacles such as failing, archaic or sometimes non-existent communication infrastructure, restricted air space, the impact of weather, or even political or rebel unrest. Each evacuation is unique, but the experience and local knowledge of the specialist team allows it to make an informed decision on each individual case.Īs one might expect, managing medical evacuations on a global basis is not without its challenges. Helicopters are often chosen for evacuations in remote locations, where landing and take-off can be difficult. Logistically, the Evacuation Team has to ascertain the proximity of the nearest available air ambulance and crew and their ability to provide the necessary, in-flight medical care given the condition of the patient. For instance, an air ambulance is essential if the patient requires ventilation or invasive monitoring, as it is not possible to carry such equipment on a commercial flight. Choosing the right form of transport is a crucial stage of the process and there are several factors to consider. The Evacuation Team will identify the nearest, appropriate medical centre, given the person’s condition, before deciding on the most suitable form of transport. Clear lines of communication, right throughout the process and between all parties is critical to achieving a successful evacuation or repatriation. In-house multilingual skills support the evacuation team, meaning that language never becomes a barrier to assisting clients, wherever they are in the world. This specialist team is the single, central point of contact for clients and the families of insured members, providing updates to concerned parties at every stage of the evacuation process. Somewhat unusually for the industry, the Allianz Worldwide Care Evacuation Team is made up almost entirely of nurses and doctors and all cases are lead by a senior medical doctor. Our 24/7 multi-lingual Helpline provides a rapid response service, escalating potential evacuation or repatriation cases to our Evacuation Team, based on the medical information they receive. The details and process of evacuations differ from insurer to insurer, so the following is based on Allianz Worldwide Care’s practices. The difference between medical evacuations and medical repatriations is that for repatriations, the insured member is returned to their home country for treatment, where medically appropriate and possible. South Africa and Germany are among the countries to which members are most commonly evacuated, due to the availability of centres of medical excellence and specialist care facilities. The countries from which Allianz Worldwide Care clients are most frequently evacuated include Mozambique, Libya and China, where specialist medical care is limited. Medical evacuations are carried out when international workers or their dependants get ill or injured and the required medical treatment is not available locally, at which point they need to be taken to the nearest suitable medical facility. Healthcare is a major concern for expats and their families and it is hugely reassuring for them to know that they are covered, regardless of location, by a health insurer who literally speaks their language. In many countries medical insurance is a legal requirement and domestic cover may not offer as comprehensive a level of cover as international private medical insurance (iPMI). With ever more companies seeking business opportunities overseas, employers recognise the compelling need to provide global healthcare cover for their staff. mining companies), together with the rise in climate-related natural disasters. The international private medical insurance industry is experiencing a significant increase in medical evacuations and repatriations due, in part to the growing number of international companies with staff working overseas workforces in remote and often hazardous regions (e.g. For expats and their families living or working in remote areas where there may not be easy access to medical facilities, the inclusion of medical evacuation and repatriation cover may be an important part of their health insurance
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