100+ Member Experiences

old couple

Claude & Dylis Barre

from Texas

group 1262

Pandemic Delays Complicate Heart Patient’s Return to NY, SkyMed Goes the Extra Mile

In April 2020, my husband had a heart valve replacement (TAVR) procedure that was supposed to mean 2-3 days in the hospital. Complications turned it into five days plus two weeks’ rehab,” says Dylis Barre. At the time, COVID-19 was moving swiftly through the nation. Not only was

Dylis barred from even seeing Claude, but when the time came to return from their winter residence in Texas back to New York, shutdowns in public services meant it took over three months for her to get license plates on a recently purchased van. On top of that, delayed paperwork had gotten her license suspended and she had to deal with reinstating it!

“We first planned to have SkyMed fly us home and have a driver return our van, but for a variety of reasons, that wouldn’t work,” said Dylis. “Flights from Texas back to upstate New York involved three different planes and a minimum of about 14 hours if we made all the connections and there were no delays. Plus, due to COVID, finding a driver would take longer than we could wait for things that needed to be transported home in the van. Claude improved and could drive, but he still had problems walking!”

“So, we called Jim [Edwards] and told him we were going to drive ourselves back, thanking him for his help. To our complete surprise, he told us SkyMed would cover our fuel costs and pay us a mileage fee for other expenses. We kept our gas receipts and sent them to [SkyMed] and received reimbursement promptly. I can’t recall any experience with any other companies that were so helpful and pleasant!”

How did you find out about SkyMed, and why did you choose SkyMed? “We learned of SkyMed at a NY Golf Streamers

RV rally when we were visiting Lancaster, PA, I think around 2011. Especially since my husband’s final resting place will be in Canada, the knowledge that we wouldn’t have to deal with international issues if he should pass away in the US was a big factor. I formerly had a plan with Good Sam, but it wasn’t even close to the services that SkyMed offers. Although we no longer have an RV, we do spend half the year a long way away from our permanent residence in upstate NY, and my husband has some serious health issues that could mean we’d need an ambulance or other service that Medicare might not cover.”

What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed? “SkyMed is well worth what we pay for it, and I would highly recommend it. We speak highly of SkyMed anytime the occasion comes up. Thanks again to everyone there for being there when we needed you!”

 REMEMBER: Two years ago, the pandemic upended the world, but as Claude and Dylis Barre found out, that didn’t mean SkyMed couldn’t step in to help to the fullest extent of its capacity! In the event of any critical illness or injury, always reach out to SkyMed even if you’re not sure what we can do for you. Our Membership Plans can span up to 18 services, from the key Hospital-to-Hospital Air Transportation, Vehicle Return, and Commercial Carrier Medical Escort flight services all the way to Ground Ambulance, Helicopter Transport, “Home and Away” Services within 100 Miles of Home, and much, much more!  

Claude & Dylis Barre, 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