100+ Member Experiences

old couple

Bruce & Meri Erdmann

from La Crosse, Wisconsin

group 1262

SkyMed Transports Doctor Back Home

Dr. Bruce Erdmann, and his wife Meri Sue, were enjoying Easter Day in Naples, Florida. After watching TV for a couple of hours, Bruce stood up and felt discomfort in his chest. He began to sweat profusely and turned white in color. Soon a neighbor, an internal medicine doctor, was driving him to the hospital. After being admitted, Bruce was told that he had a heart attack.

He underwent catheterization and discovered he had triple vessel disease. This meant major surgery for a triple bypass was needed within a few days. Bruce’s son, Bryan, after hearing the news, reached out to his own personal cardiac team in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The team advised Bruce and Meri to get home to WI where a special heart treatment could be done. With Meri Sue experiencing her own health issues and having been in the FL hospital for four days, Bruce decided to call SkyMed.

To fly Bruce home, the WI surgeon had to persuade the attending FL doctor to sign a Fit to Fly form. The form was finally signed at 10pm. At 11am the next morning, Bruce had an ambulance ride and a medical transport jet, both arranged by SkyMed, waiting at the airport. In less than three hours, he was home and attended to by the cardiac team. After reviewing his catheterization, it was determined that he did not need major surgery but instead the implementation of three stents which could be done by a much less invasive incision at the wrist which avoided open heart surgery with its risks, and a significantly faster recovery.

How did you find out about SkyMed and why did you choose SkyMed?  Bruce describes, “I was at a BMW Rally in Virginia. Because I had a 21-day motorcycle tour planned in Europe, I visited with a SkyMed Representative who presented a SkyMed plan that was so complete- there was no way I could not join as a member. I am forever grateful. I was amazed at how easy it was to apply. SkyMed not only took care of me, but they also took our vehicle home!”

What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed? “I tell my friends my story! SkyMed is the only plan that I am aware of that works seamlessly and is relatively inexpensive. My friends travel and we are all concerned about not knowing when a health issue may arrive. SkyMed works!”

Do you have any tips to share on ‘how to’ survive a life challenge? “Take good care of yourself, exercise daily, eat wisely, get your rest, and listen to what your body tells you. And if you need medical transportation, SkyMed is the answer!”

Bruce & Meri Erdmann, SkyMed Champions

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Global Emergency Travel Services

24/7/365 world-wide response network for members travelling worldwide. Multilingual operations center that includes emergency medical evacuation to the closet appropriate facility, medical escort commercial flights, repatriation of mortal remains, return of dependent children and travel assistance services. Included in all ULTIMATE Memberships.
Services from ‘Home or Away’ within 100 miles

Home or Away Services 100 miles from home

SkyMed will pay the cost of ground ambulance services to transport Member to the closest appropriate hospital. This service requires no pre-approval and is limited to two ground services in any twelve (12) months. Included in all ULTIMATE Memberships.
SkyMed Plus

SkyMed Plus

SkyMed Plus provides commercial ticketing for Members return to the origin of the air evacuation. SkyMed Plus also includes pet return, 24 hour-a-day multi-lingual help line, translation services, emergency messaging, insurance verification, travel locator service and more to enhance our SkyMed TAKES YOU HOME membership services. Included in all ULTIMATE Memberships.

Primary Driver Disability

Primary Driver Disability

The Primary Driver Disability Option (PDDO) increases the protection of our traditional vehicle return service. SkyMed’s PDDO will reimburse up to $2,000 for either bonded drivers or friend/ family member to return stranded vehicles. Included in all ULTIMATE Memberships.
Patient and Doctor Looking at each other smiling

Organ Recipient Transportation

When it is more feasible to bring the member recipient to the donor organ, SkyMed will provide air transportation for the recipient and one family member. (A nine month restriction applies to new member eligibility in Organ Transport and this service.) Individuals on transplant recipient lists at the time of application are ineligible for SkyMed Membership.
Organ Transport

Organ Transport

Should a member require a kidney, heart, lung, liver, or pancreas transplant, SkyMed will transport the donor organ to them. Individuals on transplant recipient lists at the time of application are ineligible for SkyMed Membership.
Incidental Expense Allowance

Incidental Expense Allowence

SkyMed will pay up to $200 for incidental expenses associated with a member’s medical flight. These could include lodging, transportation, meals.
Patient on wheel chair and Doctors

Return Transportation After Recovery

After a member has been hospitalized with a SERIOUS OR CRITICAL ILLNESS OR INJURY SkyMed will transport the member via commercial flight to his/her residence after recovery. The member has sixty (60) days from the hospital release date to implement this service.
Companion Transportation

Companion Transportation

SkyMed will arrange for a member’s spouse/companion to accompany them in flight on a private air ambulance (space permitting). Or, SkyMed will pay for a commercial flight.
Physical Remains Return

Physical Remains Return

If a Member expires at home or away, SkyMed will pay ‘Airway Bill’ transport costs to move Member remains and provide round trip transportation for Member’s spouse or companion to accompany. In the event ground transportation of remains is required SkyMed will reimburse up to $500.
Minor Children - Grandchildren Return

Minor Children / Grandchildren Return

If because of a critical illness or injury, a member’s minor children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren are left stranded, SkyMed will pay for a regularly scheduled airline flight and transportation for one adult escort if required. Grand and greatgrandchildren under the age of 18 are eligible for all member services when travelling with grandparents.
Transportation for Recuperation Nearer Home

Transportation for Recuperation Nearer Home

After a member has been hospitalized with a SERIOUS OR CRITICAL ILLNESS OR INJURY SkyMed will transport the member to a rehab facility near the members transport preference .
Visitor Transportation

Visitor Transportation

If a member is hospitalized with a serious illness or injury, SkyMed will pay for a round trip commercial air ticket for a family member or companion to visit. This service will be provided AS SOON AS our Member is hospitalized.
SkyMed Services 1

Helicopter Transport

SkyMed will cover the cost of all medically necessary helicopter transports or hospital-to hospital transports. Medically necessary helicopter transports because of an accident or serious illness require no pre-approval from SkyMed. Included in all ULTIMATE Memberships.
vehiclereturn

Vehicle RV, Auto, Motorcycle and Vessel Return

SkyMed will pay professional drivers for over-land, safe return of operable vehicles (autos, RVs, tow vehicles, trucks) that have been left unattended because of a member’s serious illness or injury. For vessel return SkyMed will provide up to $500 per day for a maximum of 10 days to return a vessel to its home marina. For motorcycle return SkyMed will professionally crate and transport both road worthy and damaged vehicles to your home or a repair shop near your home.
Patient on wheel chair

Commercial Carrier Medical Escort Flights

If a member’s condition does not require a private air ambulance, yet the member is not able or permitted to travel alone by commercial carrier, SkyMed will arrange, and pay for medical escort
Ground Ambulance Service

Ground Ambulance Service

SkyMed will pay the cost of ground ambulance services to transport Member to the closest appropriate hospital. This service requires no pre-approval and is limited to two ground services in any twelve (12) months. Included in all ULTIMATE Memberships.
SkyMed Services

Hospital-to-Hospital Emergency Air Transport

By Choice of the Member means EVEN if you can be treated in the emergency facility you are in, SkyMed will Take You Home if you choose. SkyMed will arrange and pay for medically equipped air ambulance transportation by fixed-wing aircraft, to the hospital nearest your US or Canadian home when a serious illness or injury occurs. Ground ambulance to and from each hospital is included