100+ Member Experiences

Deb Martinelli

from San Miguel, Mexico

Possible Eye Surgery Flown from San Miguel, MEX to Madison, WI

Jack and I live full-time in San Miguel, Mexico after relocating here from Madison, Wisconsin three years ago. Recently I experienced problems with my right eye and my eye surgeon in Madison, Wisconsin was concerned about the possibility of a torn or

detached retina. He had successfully operated on the same eye a year ago and recommended a thorough eye exam as soon as I could get to Madison and that surgery would follow within a couple of hours if necessary. I spent a few minutes searching for flights from Leon, Mexico to Madison, Wisconsin and had a hard time finding any less than four days out. I had never used my SkyMed service and called to see what they would do.

After a quick consult with Nan in Member Services I was delighted to know that SkyMed would fly me and my partner to Madison and back home when we were ready. Nan then transferred me to John, SkyMed’s Travel Agent, who was very adept at finding flights that I couldn’t. He found tickets for a flight two days out, but said he would keep watching for two seats to open up sooner and about an hour later he called and told me he found tickets for the very next day. We were flown to Madison by commercial jet in less than 24 hours from my initial call to them. Amazing! John also watched the weather for us as Hurricane Patricia was adding more drama to my situation as it was expected to hit Mexico on the same day we were set to travel. John gave me his personal number and assured me he would be ready to help if we experienced any flight difficulties or delays of any kind. Shortly after that I received a call from Corinne of SkyMed. She told me she was my personal advocate, gave me her cell number, and told me not to hesitate to call her if I had any problem with SkyMed’s services or any other difficulty with my trip. Corinne said she had direct access to SkyMed’s top management, should it be needed.

The combination of responsiveness, caring support and resourcefulness of SkyMed representatives brought immediate relief of the stress I was feeling and I knew I was in capable hands and would see my eye surgeon quickly. We arrived in Madison, Wisconsin Saturday night at 11:30 pm exactly as planned and the next morning at 7:00 am I was seen by my retinal surgeon. Luckily for me the news was positive. I did not need surgery. I took Sunday to decompress and on Monday I called SkyMed to give them the news. They told me they would book tickets back to our home when we were ready and to email a copy of the exam report to Nan after I returned home. While we were in Wisconsin we decided to visit family and friends, schedule a couple more medical appointments, get our annual flu shots and then fly home the following Tuesday. What started out as a worrisome event turned out to be a very good experience.

How did you find out about SkyMed and why did you choose SkyMed?  We found a SkyMed advertisement in the Atención San Miguel online newspaper. Staying healthy is a priority now so we scheduled a meeting with a local SkyMed rep who explained that SkyMed would provide us with air transportation and support when we experienced medical emergencies or needed surgery. The transportation would be to the location of our choice from anywhere in Canada, the US or Mexico, including full med jet flights if necessary so we bought a five-year plan plus an additional year.

What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed?  We’re very happy with the total SkyMed experience. We’ve told our neighbors, friends and family in Wisconsin and in Mexico that SkyMed treated us like royalty and we were given special treatment from beginning to end. I joked with John about how I would like to use his services on every trip we plan and, much to my surprise, he said he would gladly work with us on all of our travel. We couldn’t be more pleased to have the SkyMed team ready to help us when we need it most. We signed up for six years of coverage and feel it has already paid for itself. Mil Gracias!!

Deb Martinelli, 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.

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 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

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.

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

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 Allowence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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
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