100+ Member Experiences

Keith & Connie McKalip

from Portland, Oregon

Broken Clavicle Requires Surgery, SkyMed Member Flown from MX to OR

An ex-pat in beautiful Lake Chapala, Mexico, SkyMed Champion Keith McKalip was enjoying a pickleball game when he went “too far” for the ball and ended up with a broken clavicle. Keith was taken to the hospital in Ajijic, where the doctor took an X-ray and stabilized him. “The next

day, I saw an orthopedic surgeon at Ajijic Hospital and discussed options and cost,” he said. “It was very painful and hard to move about.”

It was at that point he decided to call SkyMed and check his options.

“I also called my doc in Portland, who found a surgeon who could perform the surgery immediately,” he said. “I called SkyMed and within an hour had air tickets for me and Connie—first-class because the arm was too painful to move in and out of plane seats. It was Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and I could find no tickets online. SkyMed found tickets. They offered to find us a hotel and transportation, but we were staying with friends. Forty-eight hours after the injury, my wife and I were on a plane [to Portland].

“Two weeks later, I was back on the plane headed home to Lake Chapala on another ticket from SkyMed. My wife stayed a week longer in the US to see a friend, and SkyMed paid for her ticket back to Mexico even though we did not fly together.”

What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed?  “We were in constant contact with the same person at SkyMed the whole way. It took many worries off the table so I could concentrate on getting well. It’s a class organization.

“They actually do what they say and were there for us at a bad moment that could have been much worse without them”

REMEMBER:  SkyMed International has an in-house travel agency to make flight arrangements during a medical emergency 24/7/365. This “VIP Access” to all things travel, though, is not just limited to an emergency. John Latimer, VP of SkyMed Travel, is a seasoned travel professional and ready to help and book your future travel needs. As a SkyMed Member, you automatically have access to low travel rates for cruises, accommodations, and more NOT available to the general public when you activate your SkyMed Travel Membership at www.skymedtravel.com. The best part? It’s FREE to SkyMed Members!

Keith & Connie McKalip, 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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