How does medical repatriation work?
Medical repatriation consists of transporting a person in the event of illness or injury: to their home or to a suitable establishment.
Although extremely expensive, this procedure is covered by most travel insurance policies. Repatriation is covered by all our options (Essential or Comfort), for an unlimited amount.
At Europ Assistance, if you are ill or injured during your trip, we contact the local doctor who treated you. All the information is collected from this doctor to enable Europ Assistance doctors to decide whether to initiate your repatriation on the basis of medical requirements alone:
- either your return home,
- or your transport, under medical supervision, to an appropriate hospital close to your home, by ambulance, train, airliner or medical plane.
In some cases, your situation may require you to be transported to a local care centre before being considered for return to a facility closer to your home. The decision to repatriate you, the choice of means of transport and the possible place of hospitalisation depend on your medical situation and the health regulations in force.
How does repatriation work?
Repatriation involves transporting a person from their place of travel to their country of residence. Depending on the situation, the terms and conditions of repatriation may change, and the cost may vary. This is why repatriation insurance is often required by policyholders, but is also compulsory for entry into certain countries. There are three main types of repatriation, depending on the policyholder's health situation: non-medical repatriation, medical repatriation and evacuation by medical plane for certain types of emergency.
Non-medical repatriation
Repatriation involves transporting a person from their place of travel to their country of residence. Depending on the situation, the terms and conditions of repatriation may change, and the cost may vary. This is why repatriation insurance is often required by policyholders, but is also compulsory for entry into certain countries. There are three main types of repatriation, depending on the policyholder's health situation: non-medical repatriation, medical repatriation and evacuation by medical plane for certain types of emergency.
In some cases, you can be repatriated without medical assistance. This is the case, for example, if you suffer a broken arm. In this case, transport by train or plane is organised, and a VSL (Véhicule Sanitaire Léger) or a taxi can be made available to transport you to and from the airport.
Medical repatriation becomes more complex if your mobility is reduced. If you break your leg, for example, you can be given an extra seat to extend your leg (the seat in front of you is lowered and acts as a footrest for the duration of the flight). An ambulance and wheelchair are also available on departure and arrival.
>> Calculate your repatriation insurance premium <<
Medical repatriation
Depending on various criteria, such as your age, your general state of health and the duration of the journey, the presence of health personnel is essential during medical repatriation. This is known as medical repatriation.
For the duration of the repatriation, the health staff will ensure your medical safety, whether by plane, train, VSL or ambulance. Healthcare staff can help you get settled or move around if you need to go to the toilet, for example. They may also be required to administer care, monitor vital signs or provide psychological support... An ambulance and a wheelchair are also available on departure and arrival if necessary.
In the case of a medical repatriation, the nature of your illness or injury will determine the space you need during the journey. For example, you may not be self-sufficient enough to travel seated, as in the case of a fractured spine or pelvis. In this case, you will have to be repatriated in a stretcher, assisted by a carer.
Medical air evacuation
Medical evacuation is reserved for acute and sudden pathologies (stroke not stabilised, serious polytrauma, heart attack...) in cases where care cannot be provided locally. Carried out on a case-by-case basis, medical evacuation is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, and involves chartering a medical aircraft to transport the patient to the nearest appropriate care facility. On board, a team of doctors and nurses, equipped with the necessary medical equipment, ensure the safe transport of the patient. On arrival, the doctor and nursing staff accompany the patient to the new care facility.
>> Calculate your repatriation insurance premium <<
Repatriation insurance: how does it work?
Medical repatriation is an emergency procedure that requires rigorous logistics. These include the purchase of a train or plane ticket, the presence of one or more medical professionals and appropriate medical equipment. This means that several thousand euros are needed for medical repatriation, and much more for evacuation by medical plane.
This is why repatriation insurance is strongly recommended, and sometimes even compulsory, for travel to certain countries. Europ Assistance understands this and includes it in its travel insurance, whether for a specific trip or as part of its annual travel insurance.
Medical repatriation to Switzerland or abroad with Europ Assistance
Do you need emergency medical repatriation to Switzerland or abroad? Europ Assistance will organise your repatriation and, depending on the contract you have taken out, will cover :
• recovery costs up to CHF 250'000 (for the Comfort offer),
• the return of family members (in the case of family insurance) or an insured accompanying person,
• the arrival of a close relative at your bedside in the event of hospitalisation on site,
• the early return in the event of hospitalisation or death of a member of your family.
Europ Assistance also assists you after your trip, in the event of repatriation, if you are hospitalised or immobilised at home: domestic help, home schooling, etc.
Whatever your travel plans, repatriation and medical evacuation are today's best response to certain emergency situations. That's why we include them in Europ Assistance insurance policies.
