100+ Member Experiences

Martin & Nancy Lown

from Joplin, Missouri

Member Has Diabetic Foot Emergency, Flown to Home Hospital Within 24 Hours

While on a caravan trip to the Newmar Rally in Syracuse, NY last September, I started having problems with my foot. A friend suggested I go to Urgent Care. When the doctor saw me, he immediately said: “Mr. Lown, if we don’t do something now, you’re going to lose either your

toe or your foot. You need to be hospitalized now!” Well, I’m caregiver to my wife and leaving her alone in the RV while I went to the hospital was not an option. On the way back to the motorhome I told her, “I’m in trouble and we need to get home.” By that time, it was Tuesday night, so I called my SkyMed rep friend, Kay Oshel. She called Jim Edwards, VP of SkyMed Member Services, right away and explained my situation.

Fifteen minutes later, Jim called me directly and said the doctor needed to fill out a “Fit to Fly” form so I could get arrangements made to get home as soon as possible. Early the next morning, the Urgent Care physician filled out the form indicating I needed to get home urgently and that a commercial flight was not feasible. At this point, I told them I had a close friend who owns a King Air 12passenger twin-engine jet. I had told my friend I was working with SkyMed and that, if there was no other plane available, I’d call him back.

Since my friend was in Joplin, my road driver could fly in with him on the plane and I could return home with my wife and my dog. I explained this to SkyMed when they called back—they said this was an unusual circumstance, but with the doctor’s authorization they could have my friend get to NY and they’d pay for getting my motorhome back home. My friend flew in from Joplin right away, landed at Niagara Falls National Airport, and fifteen minutes later we were taxiing down the runway on our way home with our Dachshund.

From initial call to getting to the hospital in Joplin, Missouri, it all took less than 24 hours.

How did you find out about SkyMed and why did you choose SkyMed?  Honestly, it turns out the very first person on one of your brochures was Norm Boswetter, who was a customer of mine. He bought a SkyMed membership back in the 80s when SkyMed was still a new company. At one point he was in South Texas and had to get home because of kidney failure. He was one of the first people SkyMed ever transported, so he was on that brochure for a long time. That’s why I bought my membership! We’ve been on the road for years and I’ve had it ever since. I never dreamed I’d ever need it, but I’m sure glad I had it!

What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed?  Whenever I have the chance to speak to a group of people, I give a testimony and thank Kay and Alan Oshel for their help, because without them I could have lost two joints in my big toe or even my entire foot. Now I feel great! My balance is perfect. I don’t need hardware to get around, and I’ve been totally released from my doctor. I’ve told SkyMed reps: “I’m your best salesman now!” I’ve lost weight and I’m doing the things I enjoy. This was an eye opener and SkyMed was my lifeline, without them I don’t know what I would have done. When I mention what SkyMed did for us to anybody, they can’t believe it because it’s not “normal.” I have nothing but praise for SkyMed, their people, and how I was treated. I never dreamed I’d ever need an air ambulance, but it happened all of a sudden, and it was unbelievable how SkyMed came through!

REMEMBER:  When facing an emergency situation, make sure you include every last detail of the issue in your call to SkyMed. For example: Do you have a pet? Is your spouse/companion willing and able to travel? Have you contacted your home hospital and doctor for assistance? It could mean the difference between life and death!

Martin & Nancy Lown, 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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