Platinum Policy PLUS - Med Vac for a Senior

[goldesq]

I am booked for a October cruise and will be traveling with my dad. He will be 82 on the cruise. Although we have purchased Princess platinum cruise protection, I would like to buy extra cruise protection so that in case of emergency, my father can be med-evac'd to a domestic location rather than the included closest available location during our Caribbean (NY to Houston) cruise.

 

Princess's platinum protection is for $50K and the included med-evac is to the closest avail location that has facilities able to handle the medical emergency. After day 3 or so of our cruise, this will most likely be to a foreign country.

 

Has anyone purchased supplementary insurance and if so, what carrier?

[Pam in CA]

Yes, MedJet Assist. They will fly you anywhere in the world to anywhere you want in a medically-equipped jet. If you're 75 or older it's more expensive but worth the protection. You can purchase a short-term or annual policy. We used them to fly my brother-in-law from FLL to CA while he was in critical condition in the ICU. They handled all the paperwork and coordination between the two hospitals, and were ready to fly him in four hours from calling. When you're in that kind of situation, the last thing you want or need to do is to deal with paperwork, insurance forms, or details.

 

http://medjetassist.com/

[Treven]

I agree. MedJet Assist is what I use as well. You can get an individual policy or family, and one cruise coverage or for a year. They do offer a lot of options.

[jnc411]

I agree , Medjet assist, and you can check insuremytrip.com for that type of insurance as well, I called them for a insurance question and they were very helpful.

Cori

[PescadoAmarillo]

Another vote for MedJet Assist, although my DH's alma mater (Va Tech) and I assume others have sent us information on a similar policy. I was warned that I might need emergency eye surgery at any time. The thought of having that done by my own specialist instead of in a foreign country tipped the scales in favor of us buying the supplemental insurance.

[Potstech]

Another vote for MedJet Assist, although my DH's alma mater (Va Tech) and I assume others have sent us information on a similar policy. I was warned that I might need emergency eye surgery at any time. The thought of having that done by my own specialist instead of in a foreign country tipped the scales in favor of us buying the supplemental insurance.

 

 

Go Hokies

[EatPrayCruise]

Thank you so much, Pam and others who have used this and can vouch for it. I was wondering about additional coverage since Princess does not provide much coverage for medevac.

[Pam in CA]

Thank you so much, Pam and others who have used this and can vouch for it. I was wondering about additional coverage since Princess does not provide much coverage for medevac.

I seem to remember that they give AAA discounts if you happen to have AAA. It's worth checking.

[caribill]

I seem to remember that they give AAA discounts if you happen to have AAA. It's worth checking.

 

They do give about 10% off for AARP members.

[Treven]

Hummm, wonder if I can get a double discount for AAA and for AARP; I guess I'll have to check into this in preparation for my upcoming cruises.

[caribill]

Hummm, wonder if I can get a double discount for AAA and for AARP; I guess I'll have to check into this in preparation for my upcoming cruises.

 

Nope. Just one of these.

[Treven]

Nope. Just one of these.

Merde :-(

[Pam in CA]

Merde :-(

Alors!

[Coral]

I seem to remember that they give AAA discounts if you happen to have AAA. It's worth checking.

 

AAA discount -only in certain states, it seemed to be just one or two states last time I signed up. If it is changed, someone please post here.

 

Ironically, due to AARP discount, my parent received a much cheaper rate then I did.

[blazerjan]

Can anyone give me a ball park figure for coverage for just one cruise? We have both AAA and AARP and are under 70 years of age. Thanks

[caribill]

Can anyone give me a ball park figure for coverage for just one cruise? We have both AAA and AARP and are under 70 years of age. Thanks

 

See their web site http://medjetassist.com/membership/membershipbenefits.aspx for pricing before discount for AARP.

[chengkp75]

Just so I'm clear about this. We're not talking about a helicopter med-evac from the ship? I'm not sure many "life-flight" services are trained or insured for this, and not sure they are all that common overseas. Most of these will be done by military/coast guard units due to the motion of the ship, its exhaust gas plume, etc. I'm interested in that I was aware of med-flight insurance, but hadn't seen it mentioned for cruises, and just want to know what the base reference is.

[PescadoAmarillo]

The key factor for us in purchasing MedJet Assist is that a transfer back to a US hospital of our choice does NOT have to be medically necessary. In other words, if a doctor in Fiji can perform a procedure or operation, but I'd prefer to have my own doctor (or, any doctor of my choice in the US, if there is a Center of Excellence somewhere I'd like to be transported to) do it, it's my choice with MJA.

 

The Evacuation coverage provided with typical travel insurance won't do that. As for being airlifted off a ship, they're going to take you to the closest reasonable facility for treatment. MJA would pick it up from there.

[Pam in CA]

No. Not talking about a helicopter medevac. Those are extremely rare and often aren't possible due to the ship's location, weather and time of day. Nighttime helicopter medevacs are exceptionally rare and almost never done. Any helicopter medevac is extremely dangerous for both the helicopter crew and the ship so they're done only if the patient is in immediate danger of dying. When my BIL got sick, they were unable to helicopter medevac him because we were too far from land and it was nighttime before we were. He probably would have lived if we were closer while it was still light.

[chengkp75]

No. Not talking about a helicopter medevac. Those are extremely rare and often aren't possible due to the ship's location, weather and time of day. Nighttime helicopter medevacs are exceptionally rare and almost never done. Any helicopter medevac is extremely dangerous for both the helicopter crew and the ship so they're done only if the patient is in immediate danger of dying. When my BIL got sick, they were unable to helicopter medevac him because we were too far from land and it was nighttime before we were. He probably would have lived if we were closer while it was still light.

 

That's what I thought. Been to sea for 37 years, seen my fair share of USCG evacuations. I was just wondering if OP was under the impression that the evac from the ship was included.