Medical emergencies are stressful and can even be frightening. Now, imagine experiencing a medical emergency while travelling abroad, away from the security of home. You never can expect when you or a travelling companion may have a medical emergency, which is why travel insurance — which offers 24/7 assistance — can be essential.
So, both your health and wallet are protected, here is more on what to expect generally if you call your travel insurer’s 24/7 emergency assistance hotline.
While on a trip to Thailand, you spend the afternoon snorkeling at Phra Nang Beach. During low tide, you cut your flank and underarm on a reef, and require emergency attention Coral cuts or scrapes are a common, but dangerous, injury among swimmers. Coral is sharp and covered with living organisms, which can cause infections and slow healing wounds.
Once you’re safely back on the beach after the coral scrape, your first call should be to local emergency services. Once medics have arrived at your location, contact your travel insurer’s assistance line. Your travel insurer can provide translation assistance and, once you arrive at the hospital, coordinate your treatment and billing arrangements with the facility.
The Emergency Assistance team can also help locate an appropriate health care facility based on the patient's condition and care needs. When clinically appropriate and the medical triage criteria are met, the team may also arrange a teleconsultation.
In many countries, medical facilities require upfront payment before treatment is administered. New Zealand and Japan, for instance, are two popular tourist destinations that require immediate payment for medical treatment. Foreign patients in Japan may be able to submit proof of being able to pay, which can come from your travel insurer.
Your treatment in Thailand: It is the policy of Thai hospitals to offer immediate treatment to all patients, not just Thai citizens. However, not all emergency medical services are free, and the Government of Canada recommends purchasing supplementary travel insurance for trips to Thailand in many instances.
Note: Your insurer will arrange direct billing whenever possible or reimburse you for the cost of eligible services. Your insurer will also coordinate with your health care provider regarding your medical records, assist with prescriptions, and manage other ongoing communications related to your care.
Thai medical facilities are known to provide high quality care, as the country is a popular hub for medical tourism and has well-trained physicians. In your case, you were transported to a well-staffed and equipped facility, and no further transport is required.
But some emergencies are nightmare scenarios, such as major medical traumas caused by major car accidents or injuries in remote wilderness areas. In these and other instances, you may need to be stabilized before you are evacuated to a trauma facility.
Paying for treatment and transport: If you require transport to a high-level facility for a new or worsening injury, your insurer will work closely with your medical team to coordinate transport, ongoing treatment and keep your family up to date on your care.
Your travel insurer will also coordinate repatriation to your home in Canada once you are well enough to travel and can be treated at a domestic healthcare facility, if required.
Not every medical issue is an immediate emergency. Your travel insurer’s 24/7 assistance line can help you find the best level of care for your situation, so you can get back to feeling like yourself as soon as possible.
If you’re experiencing a non-emergent medical issue while travelling, reach out to your travel insurance provider to direct you to the best care.
Multiple treatment options: If you have an issue that doesn’t require an ER visit, such as a headache, earache or the flu, your travel insurer can arrange a virtual visit, an appointment at an urgent care facility, or even a house call.
The insurer can help choose which options work best, depending on illness severity and whether you risk getting others sick. If you have an Allianz Global Assistance Travel Insurance plan, you have access to timely assistance from both local and international providers.
Your treatment team in collaboration with your insurer’s medical team in your host country decides if medical evacuation is necessary. Your travel insurer will coordinate details such as payment, records retrieval, and updating family. Also, in most cases, your insurer will arrange the evacuation, or a third-party partner will assist with it.
Evacuation is transport to a higher-level emergency medical facility due to severe trauma or worsening condition. Your care team will determine whether there are resources on site to handle the emergency, or if you need to be transferred to a higher-level facility.
Repatriation is medical transport home or to a hospital in your home country once your care team determines you are far enough along in your recovery to continue care in your home country.
As a world leader in travel protection, Allianz Global Assistance helps more than 8 million Canadians and visitors to Canada annually answer the call of adventure with confidence every year. Let us be there for you too.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice. Always consult your insurance policy to understand coverage terms and conditions and services offered by your provider. Allianz Global Assistance is not responsible for the use of external websites or the content or accuracy of external website information.
