100+ Member Experiences

Joe and Betty Ryals

from Orange Park, Florida

Member Becomes Critically Ill & Needs Immediate Surgery

Joe and Betty Ryals, from Orange Park, Florida, were in Buffalo, Wyoming en route to Gillette, Wyoming to attend the 2012 Holiday Rambler International Rally when Joe got sick and was in a lot of pain. They took him to the emergency

room and found out he had a twisted colon and the attending doctor said it was critical that he have emergency surgery right away. Joe was immediately transported 140 miles by ground ambulance to C asper Wyoming Medical Center where the surgeon was already waiting for his arrival.

The very next morning Betty called S kyMed and explained the situation and that she was also concerned about getting their motorhome from Buffalo Wyoming back to Orange Park, Florida. Betty said, “The Holiday Rambler Military Retirees chapter president knew what was going on and alerted the chaplain and the others at the rally about Joe’s condition and told me everyone there was asking about us and praying for Joe. SkyMed Representative Michelle Ozan who was attending the rally called and reminded me that I could have a family member flown in to be with us. That was so reassuring because I needed my son, Joe, Jr., to come and be with me and to help assist us on the flight home. The arrangements were made and SkyMed flew Joe, Jr. in from Jacksonville, Florida to C asper Wyoming which was such a blessing.”

Betty also said, “SkyMed arranged to fly us first class on our flight from Salt Lake City to Atlanta, Georgia. This worked out so well because it was a longer flight and the seats reclined like a bed, allowing Joe to rest comfortably. An additional benefit was having access to a wheelchair between flights at every terminal. Three days after we got home, our motorhome and tow vehicle were returned safely from Buffalo, Wyoming by a professional driver. By the way, Joe is doing great and feeling much better now and, thanks to SkyMed, our adventure has had a happy ending!

How did you find out about SkyMed and why did you choose SkyMed? Betty said, “We listened to a S kyMed presentation at a Holiday Rambler rally in 2008. We thought about it and decided to sign up before we left, mainly because I can’t drive the motorhome.”

What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed?  Betty said, “Until you

actually experience a difficult situation, you cannot appreciate everything S kyMed can do for you and how well they will treat you. They sure put my mind at ease handling everything and after we got home Nan called a couple of times to check on us. I would never be without SkyMed!”

Joe said, “I would still have SkyMed even if I didn’t own a motorhome and on a scale of 1 to 10, SkyMed is a 10!”

Betty and Joe are members of Holiday Rambler and FMC A and have been S kyMed members since 2008.

Joe and Betty Ryals, 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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