Man Airlifted from Carnival Spirit

[Facation Fanatic]

Foxnews reported and showed film footage this morning of a US Coast Guard helicopter airlifting a medically ill man from the Carnival Spirit.

 

Foxnews stated the ship was 200 miles from the coast, but didn't say what coast or exactly where the ship was located or heading to. They also did not say when this happened, but I would guess it in the past day or so. The report continued to state the man was placed in an ambulance onshore and taken to a hospital for further medical treatment.

 

Although I doubt he will get a bill from the Coast Guard for the airmed transport, this incident should quiet the argument for travel/medical insurance.

 

I would certainly like to know more details if anyone has them!!!

 

Facation Fanatic

 

Fantasy - 6/02 Bahamas

Fantasy - 12/02 Bahamas

Victory - 9/03 NE/Canada

Sovereign of the Seas - 1/04 Bahamas

Sovereign of the Seas - 4/04 Bahamas Daughter's Birthday Cruise

 

Carnival Glory to the Eastern Caribbean

 

[OhioBeachBum]

The same thing happened during our cruise on the Miracle in April. A lady had a heart attack and they closed the rear of the ship so the Coast Guard could airlift her out. They actually made two airlifts - the second was to retrieve one of the Coast Guard guys that had to stay on the ship while the lady was transported. I later heard she was alright. I made the comment that day that I hope she had insurance.

 

Carnival Miracle, April 04

 

'til my next cruise fix on the Victory!

 

[Bunkie103]

On our Eastern trip on the Triumph in October a man was airlifted off a tiny island in the Bahamas. We made an unscheduled stop there and he was taken ashore on one of the lifeboats and picked up by an ambulance jet and taken back to Miami. Later we heard he was okay. We were also delayed leaving St. Maarten while a female passenger was taken off to a waiting ambulance. Never did hear what that was all about. Guess it happens fairly frequently.

 

Mary

Triumph Eastern 10/03

Victory CTN 6/04

Sensational Cruise from the Bayou 10/04

[tef43]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Facation Fanatic:

Although I doubt he will get a bill from the Coast Guard for the airmed transport, this incident should quiet the argument for travel/medical insurance.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do not kid yourself, he's going to receive a *huge* bill.

 

Not to mention that if he was taken to a hospital outside of the US, his regular health insurance coverage will most likely not cover dime one.

 

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:

Shhhh, it's a surprise!

And then:

Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera

Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

 

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[Facation Fanatic]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tef43:

Originally posted by Facation Fanatic:

Although I doubt he will get a bill from the Coast Guard for the airmed transport, this incident should quiet the argument for travel/medical insurance.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do not kid yourself, he's going to receive a *huge* bill.

 

Not to mention that if he was taken to a hospital outside of the US, his regular health insurance coverage will most likely not cover dime one.

 

_Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas_

 

 

Tom,

 

Perhaps I was incorrect in my assumption about the bill from the Coast Guard, but your last statement is all the reason in the world to purchase travel/medical insurance. No, I'm not an agent or anything like that, just an avid cruiser like everyone else. I just think the insurance is an unquestionable investment in the event the "it will never happen to me" syndrome happens to me.

 

Facation Fanatic

 

Fantasy - 6/02 Bahamas

Fantasy - 12/02 Bahamas

Victory - 9/03 NE/Canada

Sovereign of the Seas - 1/04 Bahamas

Sovereign of the Seas - 4/04 Bahamas Daughter's Birthday Cruise

 

Carnival Glory to the Eastern Caribbean

 

[hdawson]

I understand that the US Coast Guard DOES bill you for the helicopter and care. BIG TIME!

It ain't cheap folks. Don't ever leave the country without insurance. Some group health plans do not cover outstide the US and of course neither does Medicare. You can expect a very large bill. Not a few hundred dollars.

[SUSANITA]

We sailed Conquest in January and the same thing happened. We heard that it was a person with suspected Norwalk who Carnival was making get off the ship. Apparantly, this person did not have insurance, but Carnival was making them get off anyhow, at their own expense. Not sure how accurate that story is, but I heard if from several different people.

 

The airlift itself was amazing, to be in the middle of the ocean and see this helicopter coming in right next to the ship was really incredible. What seemed more incredible is that I think they had an airforce escort, because off in the distance there was a jet that circled the ship the entire time. It was all very surreal.

 

Suep366394@aol.com

NEXT UP~SENSATION 5/6/04!

MARINER~ 9/19! MIRACLE~FEB 13,2005!

http://community.webshots.com/user/upstatedon OUR CRUISE PICS!

 

 

[eerbeek]

Blue Cross covers me all over the world. No worries here!

 

Lido Deck Linda

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy 2/6/2000

Victory 3/23/2003

Destiny 4/25/2004

[tef43]

I have heard that the airlift alone can run $20K-30K. The question one has to ask themselves when contemplating bypassing the insurance is "Do I feel lucky?"

 

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:

Shhhh, it's a surprise!

And then:

Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera

Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

 

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[Cyt4SoreEyes]

Me to eerbeek!!!!!!!!

 

Would hate to see that Bill from Coast Guard..yikes!!!!

 

Cyt

 

Atlantic

Oceanic

Norway

Enchantment of the Seas

Destiny

Voyager of the Seas

Conquest March 30th 2003

Glory May 29th 2004

 

 

 

 

[GroupCruiser]

My wife's sister and her husband are on that ship right now. It was a 12-day reposition cruise from Hawaii to Vancouver, to arrive in Vancouver this morning (5/12/04) at 8 am Vancouver time. I'll have to get the scoop when they get home, probably talk to them over the weekend.

[Facation Fanatic]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GroupCruiser:

My wife's sister and her husband are on that ship right now. It was a 12-day reposition cruise from Hawaii to Vancouver, to arrive in Vancouver this morning (5/12/04) at 8 am Vancouver time. I'll have to get the scoop when they get home, probably talk to them over the weekend.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Great! By all means get back to us with whatever details your folks know!

 

Thanks!

 

Facation Fanatic

 

Fantasy - 6/02 Bahamas

Fantasy - 12/02 Bahamas

Victory - 9/03 NE/Canada

Sovereign of the Seas - 1/04 Bahamas

Sovereign of the Seas - 4/04 Bahamas Daughter's Birthday Cruise

 

Carnival Glory to the Eastern Caribbean

 

[Facation Fanatic]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by eerbeek:

Blue Cross covers me all over the world. No worries here!

 

Lido Deck Linda<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

My personal medical insurance covers me outside the US as well, but, I also purchase additional travel/medical insurance to cover the 30% I have to pay out of pocket for being "out of network".

 

Depending on the circumstances, with an airmed transport, ambulance fees, hospital and doctor charges, especially in a foreign country, the out of pocket expense could easily reach $10K dollars and go up from there if there is an extended hospital stay and intensive treatment. Not to mention all the expenses of trying to get back home if it required an airmed transport as well.

 

So, with the additional coverage, it gives me even more reason not to worry and to enjoy my cruise!!!!

 

Facation Fanatic

 

Fantasy - 6/02 Bahamas

Fantasy - 12/02 Bahamas

Victory - 9/03 NE/Canada

Sovereign of the Seas - 1/04 Bahamas

Sovereign of the Seas - 4/04 Bahamas Daughter's Birthday Cruise

 

Carnival Glory to the Eastern Caribbean

 

[eerbeek]

With BC/BS, it's very difficult to find "out of network" doctors as it is the most widely recognized insurance. So for a regular office visit or hospital stay anywhere in the world, I'd be good with my $10 co-pay.

 

However, I would have to check the policy to see about airmed... not sure if that kind of thing is included.

 

My HR person said "ambulances are covered and airmed is just a fancy ambulance, right?"

 

Wouldn't like to see that bill one little bit!

 

Lido Deck Linda

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy 2/6/2000

Victory 3/23/2003

Destiny 4/25/2004

[cynic957att]

Do not feel so confident.

 

Last year we were in the DR and the DW had a medical energency with time of the essence. We need to get back to Miami. All the places wanted cash and the flight back ( after 2PM ALL COMMERICAL FLIGHTS GONE!) was $10,000.

 

So I actually looked at the "Worldwide coverage" offered by BC - It ain't as good as you say and not everyone takes it all it paid was $150 for ambulance and ER visit to a hospital with no specialists.

 

Thank God I had enough credit to get back to the states. Take the bloody insurance - I wish I had had it last year.

[dan40]

While not routine, airevacs from cruiseships are not unusual. We have witnessed 3 in the last 10 years of cruising.

Anyone that thinks they have worldwide insurance coverage had better get their policy and read every word for themselves. And get written answers to any questions.

A poster reported on this board about talking to a nurse on a Voyager class RCCL ship[?]. This nurse said that they treat 350 people a week on the ship. That sounds like a good reason to have trip insurance to me.

Dan

 

Till 9/5 Paradise Panama Canal

 

[pgmrdev]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> his regular health insurance coverage will most likely not cover dime one.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not an accurate statement. Most should, check with carrier.

 

<html>

<head>

<title></title>

</head>

<body>

<font color="#FF0000">Grand Princess 2-2001</font>

<font color="#0000FF">Grand Princess 12-2001</font>

<font color="#FF8000">Carnival Paradise 3-2002</font>

<font color="#FF00FF">Carnival Destiny 10-2002</font>

<font color="#008000">Golden Princess 10-2003</font>

<font color="#0000A0">Carnival Legend 6-8-2004</font>

</body>

</html>

 

[eerbeek]

OK, straight from my policy (BC/BS):

 

"Air ambulance is also covered when no other means of transport is available or the patient's condition requires air transport rather than ground ambulance. For air ambulance, the provider must be licensed as an air ambulance serivce and is not a commercial air carrier." I would think and hope that the Coast Guard is licensed for this type of situation.

 

"CARE OUT OF THE COUNTRY": your coverage applies no matter where you are only if:

 

1. The hospital is accredited (I wouldn't have it any other way!)

 

2. The physician is licensed (Seems like a no-brainer).

 

I feel most confident with my coverage and would just make sure that the guidelines are met in an emergency. Otherwise, I'd fight it when I got home and not worry about it in a life and death situation.

 

One last thought: I bet several of the 350 patients the nurse saw were requesting bandaids for blisters, sea sickness meds, and aspirin for hangovers. I can't believe that 350 per week per ship is really, really "ill" to the point of alarm.

 

Lido Deck Linda

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy 2/6/2000

Victory 3/23/2003

Destiny 4/25/2004

 

[This message was edited by eerbeek on 05-12-04 at 07:22 PM.]

[hdawson]

I think for those of us traveling outstide the US it might be relavent as to who accredits the hospitol and who lecenses the Dr. I'm sure there is an agency that does the accredation and that could be a US entity which might, repeat might, not apply to a hosp or Dr in Belize City or other remote third world country. Just food for thought. Back to filling out my claim forms for the HAL cruise I had to cancel last month.

[margaritawoman]

A passenger passed away on our last cruise (Sun Princess 2/03) Our room steward told us this is common happens alot more than you would think. It costs between 25k - 30k to fly a body back to the states. It can cost more if you are sick because doctor or nurse most likely will have to fly with you. Friends mother had a stroke while on vacation in Hawaii. It cost the family 45K to fly her home with nurse on board the flight. Their medical insurance did not cover this expense. I would highly recommend travel insurance. Everyone hopes this never happens but is better to be prepared.

 

Glory 5/29

[GatorWop]

Just saw the pictures from the FOX network here in South Florida. They said the ship was off the coast of Oregon. They said that he was is desperate need of medical attention but that the cruise line will not release the exact cause for the airlift.

 

Rick

 

Seven Completed Cruises

 

Navigator of the Seas 08/07/2004....

 

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** All Aboard!! ** Navigator of the Seas ** 8/07/04

 

Carnival Valor 02/27/2005....

 

More in the Works!!!!

[mrsgoofy98]

I think what everyone is forgetting here is that the insurance does not just cover medical issues. It covers baggage delay, lost baggage, trip delay and cancellation and death or illness of someone in your immediate family. It happened to me and it could happen to anyone.

 

I always tell my clients that if they can't afford to lose the amount of money they are spending on the cruise, then they shouldn't neglect to purchase insurance. I have a client who broke her wrist a week before her last vacation. If she didn't have insurance, she would have lost every penny.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide. Many things can go wrong, and they often do.

 

MrsGoofy98

 

LEGEND, May 04

 

Sapphire Princess, Sep 04

 

TOO BUSY SELLING CRUISES AND VACATIONS TO TAKE THEM. I WISH I COULD BE ON ALL THE CRUISES THAT I HAVE SOLD IN THE PAST YEAR.

 

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Destiny, Jan 02

Grand Princess, Feb 03

Zuiderdam, May 03

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Sapphire Princess, Sep 04

[jedgar]

Eerbeek

 

I would check the definition of air ambulanbce in your health policy. The most common definition is from the point of injury/accident to the nearest hospital and most do not cover medi-vac from a hospital in another country to the US whereas travel insurance does.

[wobel123]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cyt4SoreEyes:

Me to eerbeek!!!!!!!!

 

Would hate to see that Bill from Coast Guard..yikes!!!!

 

Cyt

 

Atlantic

Oceanic

Norway

Enchantment of the Seas

Destiny

Voyager of the Seas

Conquest March 30th 2003

Glory May 29th 2004

 

Hi , just got off the Glory, If you would like email me for info..Had great time,

wobel123@aol.com

 

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[eerbeek]

jedgar, a quick spot check on insuremytrip.com doesn't seem to mention that they will air evac you to the hospital of your choice in the U.S.

 

The insurers I checked all have THIS sentence in the policy: Transportation will be to the closest Hospital or medical facility capable of providing adequate treatment.

 

Surprisingly, BCBS also has a similar statement in my policy. If a Caribbean hospital is not capable of providing treatment, it's off to the nearest one that can.

 

They go on to list similar guidelines on licensure and accrdidation as my policy, also.

 

Further, they will ONLY get you home via medical transport if it's deemed "medically necessary" that you go home, which is kind of a circle of confusion. They will get you to the nearest capable hospital. If they are capable, it wouldn't be 'medically necessary' to get you home.

 

And these $10-$45K flights home are ridiculous amounts. Even last minute from Aruba to Detroit is only $575-$1200, depending on flight times.

 

My coverage includes the services of a private duty nurse, if medically necessary, so the nurse assistance on the plane home is also covered.

 

Bottom line is that you still have to cover your own butt for many 'benefits' of travel insurance and THEN wait for your reimbursement at home. Therefore, you still need to have enough cash/credit to cover all 'surprises' and have that cash/credit available for probably 60+ days until you are reimbursed.

 

My own health insurance better covers the most important and costly aspect of travel insurance - medical attention - than travel insurance does. They will approve (worldwide) payment without my having to fork over the cash during treatment.

 

I don't think travel insurance provides that because they all talk about 'claim forms' and 'detailed receipts'.

 

 

Lido Deck Linda

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy 2/6/2000

Victory 3/23/2003

Destiny 4/25/2004

 

[This message was edited by eerbeek on 05-13-04 at 05:57 AM.]