Medevac

[Beachboy]

Have any of you, especially those living in the provinces, considered the use of medevac service? There are a few medevac companies in the Phils. I was looking at one called airgurus (http://www.airgurus.com). I couldn't find any info on prices.

More interesting is global medevac services. One company called Global Rescue (http://www.globalrescue.com) will provide medevac service anywhere in the world. They work through certified local providers. If none are available they will launch the evacuation from the US. (All air ambulances in the Phils are certified). For additional cost, you can sign up for "Security Solutions" when evacuation is needed from "terrorist attack, civil unrest, invasion or war" (Mindanao?). Evacuation is provided by "experienced Special Force veterans")

The basic evacuation plan is only $365 USD per year. No price was listed on-line for the Special Forces.

For those not wanting to live in the provinces because of the distance from medical services, this might be a solution.

[Call me bubba]

Very unusal topic :89:

this is the 1st I have EVER heard of "medevac"services within the RP.

I knew of the services to return you back to your home country (due to illness,injury,medical)

BUT.... WITHIN the RP.

hope that others that LIVE HERE or have in the past can share what info they know of.

Again thanks Beachboy for the topic

[JJReyes]

An elderly relative had a nasty fall with serious scratches that started to become infected. This was the time period when Yugoslavia was a Soviet era federation. They took her to a military hospital, which didn't even have basic antibiotics. The family had to arrange for Medevac services to Switzerland for medical treatment. It was a Cessna with a pilot and nurse and a stretcher in the passenger section of the aircraft. The Swiss aircraft was permitted to land in a military airfield for the pick-up. The service cost at the time was about US $12,500 in Swiss Francs. Today, it would probably be over US $30,000.

[OnMyWay]

Make sure you read all the details. The setup is geared for travelers so I am not sure it could be used effectively if you are living permanently in a location. The yearly plans are more expensive and there is a restriction that the emergency must be more than 160 miles from your home. If your home in the province is where the emergency occurs, then what?

[ibemarshall]

Interesting topic and worthy of follow up. Thanks for bringing it up for discussion and consideration.... Cheers~~

[Old55]

I've availed medevac insurance for when I SCUBA dived through DAN and PADI. Of course this is of no help for an Expat living in da Providences under day to day circumstances only for dive related issues.

[Beachboy]

More info on Airgurus: They have a "Sky Aid" membership plan which entitles you to 2 medevacs a year. Cost per year is: individual: 9K peso, couple 16K, couple+2 children 21K, each additional child 5K.

Landing zone needs to be 100 ft x 100ft. Attending physician must certify patient is stable for medevac. Hospital must OK admission prior to take-off. Not suitable for every location, of course, but if there is a doctor and helipad near-by it might be worth considering.

The topic came to my mind because in Hawaii Medevac is common. Until 2008, the Army provided the service free (it was good training for them). Then their units were called to Afghanistan so taxpayers foot the bill now.

[Beachboy]

the emergency must be more than 160 miles from your home.

A grey area. If you are living in the Phils on a tourist visa, then your place of residence is only a temporary one -- even if you've been living there decades. So if you are not a permanent resident of the Phils you would be considered a resident of your home country. Global Rescue recognizes the address listed on government id's. If you have friends or relatives who would allow you to use their address, you could maintain residency (the legal term is "domicile") that way. Only problem is all State Id's now carry expiration dates -- usually the same as the drivers license of that state. So you would need to return to the US every 5-8 years to renew.

Since their rates are the same as Airgurus, I would only consider Global Rescue if I anticipated a need for med evac back to the US. And as you said, if you have permanent residence in the Phils (through marriage for example) it wouldn't be suitable.

[sjp52]

This would be perfect for me. I will be living 6 months in the Philippines and 6 months in Canada. We have free healthcare in Canada. So If I got sick, I could have them fly me to a hospital in Canada and for only $365 dollars a year.

[Call me bubba]

here is the info from the embassy(american)website regarding medevac (however it was related to diving issues )

Medical Evacuations (Medevacs)

Divers who do not wish to undergo recompression treatment in the Philippines may be able to seek the assistance of the U.S. Navy chamber in Guam, Tel: (00671) 339-7143. As in all medical cases, it is the responsibility of the American citizen to arrange transport from the Philippines to Guam.

In-country Medevacs: In-country or domestic medical transport of patients from an outlying province to Manila may be accomplished with the assistance of the Manila Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). RCC provides assistance with in-country medevacs, which it refers to as "Airlift Missions." While RCC does not have the resources to conduct the operation itself, it acts as a coordinating body and can refer the request to the appropriate offices. RCC's Operations Center is open 24 hours. Below are telephone numbers for RCC and other Philippine government agencies that can assist with in-country medevacs.

RCC Duty Officer

Tel: (02) 832-3013; 877-1109, local 3446, 3800, 3030;

759-9502 through 03

Email: rcc@ats.ato.gov.ph

Air Transportation Office (ATO) Operations

Tel.: (02) 831-6215

Fax: (02) 833-0127

Philippine Air Force, 505th Search and Rescue Group

(Helicopter Search and Rescue)

Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, Tel: (02) 853-5013, 853-5121

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Tel: (077) 773-1499 or 773-2402

Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Tel: (038) 844-1800

Mactan, Cebu, Tel: (032) 340-2212

General Santos City, Tel: (083) 555-0065

Philippine Coast Guard

Operations, Tel.: (02) 527-3870, Fax: 527-3880

Coast Guard Air Group, Tel.: (02) 832-3756

International Medevacs: Although medical care is generally good in the Philippines, there are conditions for which evacuation to the U.S. may be necessary.

Since a private plane can cost more than $10,000 for a single flight, you may wish to consider obtaining medical evacuation insurance coverage prior to travelling overseas.

There are several companies in the United States that offer such insurance.

Persons needing to be medevaced to the U.S. or other foreign destinations should contact a commercial airline or commercial medical evacuation service.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhemer.html#Insurance