I certainly did not expect to need it, but the cost was reasonable and, yuck, we’re getting older.

Well, in the past few years I have had two totally unanticipated major health challenges (heart problems and cancer) and the last one culminating was surgery in the US just a few weeks ago. In both instances SkyMed came through for me with exceptional service and thoughtfulness. Sometimes we are quick to criticize businesses that fall short or disappoint us, so I thought I should take a minute to publicly acknowledge what a great job this company did for me. 

SkyMed flew me and a companion roundtrip to my destinations (Mayo once, Cleveland Clinic once) and paid 100% of the fares. They also worked with me to identify the best flights and promptly paid for some travel-related miscellaneous expenses. They were extremely reasonable in their requests for documentation, which they certainly had a right to ask for. Representatives, including one of their VPs, called me personally to check on everything and find out how I was doing.

In my last conversation with one of their executives, just a few days ago, after thanking him profusely, he said “Well, you’re a part of our family.” Usually, I dismiss these bromides as corporate gobbledygook. But, in this case, I believe he meant it and it was meaningful to me.

This company is an example of what good stewardship and corporate responsibility is all about.

REMEMBER:  SkyMed’s core service—Hospital-to-Hospital Emergency Air Transport—is included in every one of its different Memberships, as are (among other things) Visitor Transportation for a family member or companion in case the Member is not repatriated home, and Escort/Companion Transportation, which arranges for a Member’s spouse or companion to accompany them in flight on a private air ambulance (space permitting) or pay for a commercial flight. I needed to get back to the States quickly for a medical emergency.