100+ Member Experiences

Mary Schwenke

from West Virginia

Stan & Mary Schwenke, West Virginia

ONLY THIRTY SECONDS TO ESCAPE!!! It was a beautiful summer day as Stanley and Mary Schwenke traveled down the West Virginia Turnpike on their way to an RV rally in Virginia. All of a sudden, they heard a big boom coming from the engine of their motorhome. Seconds later they

heard another boom followed by a six-foot torch of flames that came bursting out of the right side of their RV near the exit door! There was no pullover lane and they were forced to stop in the middle of the right lane to get out quickly before the flames reached the exit door. The flames were so intense that they buckled the steel guard rail. Having only 30 seconds to escape, Mary fell in the motorhome and sustained a fracture to her right leg and a dislocated shoulder. She lost one of her shoes in the hurried exit and stepped on the very hot surface of the RV’s entrance step,

They stood in shock and watched as their RV burned completely. Suddenly, the motorhome and the towed vehicle began rolling backward toward three lanes of backed-up traffic which could have jeopardized the safety of those in its path. Thankfully, the PT Cruiser they were towing jackknifed and rolled into the guard rail, stopping the backward path of the motorhome. Amazingly, the PT Cruiser received only minor damage.

Stanley said, “Mary is diabetic and was taken to a local hospital. After five days of intense pain and no real progress, we called SkyMed to take us to the burn center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin near our home. SkyMed acted immediately and the very next morning an ambulance came to take us to the airport where a twin-engine plane was waiting for us, along with a pilot and nurse. Three hours later, we were in Milwaukee where another ambulance was waiting. They took us directly to her room at the burn center without having to endure the long wait of admission through the emergency room and all the paperwork involved in that process. After another two weeks of intensive care, Mary was released to come home for further recuperation. Thanks to SkyMed, she got the care she needed and is now recovering. SkyMed also took care of having our PT Cruiser returned to our home.”

How did you find out about SkyMed and why did you choose SkyMed?  Stanley said, We heard about SkyMed at a rally seven years ago and felt that it was a great deal. We not only became SkyMed members, but also became SkyMed reps so we could tell our friends about it. We have been members and reps since June of 2005. We thought it would help in case of an illness, never expecting that a fire would totally destroy our motorhome and have such an impact on our lives.”

What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed? Stanley said, “We just can’t say enough about the great services SkyMed provided for us. And as SkyMed reps we can now share our own personal testimonial at our SkyMed presentations, along with the testimonials of many others. We can honestly say that without SkyMed, my wife would not have survived to tell about it.”

Mary Schwenke, 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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