100+ Member Experiences

Don Sweet

from San Francisco, California

Blood Transfusion Needed Aboard Cruise Ship – St. Petersburg, Russia

My wife and I had been traveling in Russia and this was our first time taking the winter cruise between St. Petersburg and Moscow-Minsk. After three days on the cruise I noticed I had blood blisters here and there and bruise-like marks on my body

and went to see the doctor on board. I was told I needed to see another doctor because they thought I needed platelets and that I would be back on the ship a few days later, but that’s not what happened. I was taken to a local medical clinic but they couldn’t treat me and sent me to the ICU at the hospital in St. Petersburg. My blood platelet count was the lowest they had ever seen and I was given a blood transfusion immediately. I was in no condition to fly home at that time.

A few days later my daughter contacted Global ETS and explained the situation to them and they  immediately began making arrangements to get us back to the US. On board the air ambulance with my wife and I were two pilots and two medical assistants who were very nice. We have traveled all over the world, but it was a great pleasure when we left the runway in Russia. I felt very relieved. We made four stops on the way home in Iceland; Newfoundland; Ontario; and Alberta, Canada and finally arrived in San Francisco where I was admitted to the University of California San Francisco Hospital. The oncology department knew what was going on right away and took care of me. Three days later I was released.

How did you find out about Global ETS and what would you tell your friends about your experience? We heard about Global ETS about five years ago from a friend of ours who had been taken home after being rescued while on a cruise. When we found out he had this coverage we bought the same coverage the very next day even though we had no trip planned at that time. We’ve kept our membership ever since and have told countless people about it who also bought it the day after we spoke. To those who don’t have it yet, we tell them they had better get it because it literally saved us thousands of dollars.

Today I’m doing just fine and we are certainly grateful for what everyone did for us. The services were great, the flight went perfectly, and we couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Don Sweet, SkyMed Champions

This is an exclusive member emergency line.
Would you like to continue?
24 SEVEN Emergency hotline.
Please click on the phone number above to call.

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
Play Video
Play Video
Play Video