BajaNomad

SkyMed

Fred - 12-30-2007 at 11:27 AM

Does anyone have SkyMed insurance? I would like the pros and cons? Thanks in advance for your help.

Fred

SkyMedBarbara - 12-30-2007 at 01:24 PM

I am a SkyMed Rep in Loreto, Baja. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about air evacuation in Baja So far I have had NO Cons, everything has been great about SkyMed including the costs. In the past we have disscussed this on Nomad so I don't want repeat everything again so just e-mail me at skymedloreto@gmail or go to my website www.skymed.com/Loreto. I know personally of 5 people who have been air eveacuated out of Loreto and are very happy with the service they received...it just doesn't get any better. I also know that a friend of ours last July was air evacuated out without SkyMed and it cost her $27,000 to get home to Sacramento...she is now a member of SkyMed. The price is very inexpensive for all the services you get...

SkyMedBarbara - 12-30-2007 at 01:30 PM

Fred, SkyMed has 2 programs, one for less than 6 months out of US and Canada, and one for more than 6 months out of the US and Canada. That is the important question...... in price.....

DENNIS - 12-30-2007 at 04:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
I also know that a friend of ours last July was air evacuated out without SkyMed and it cost her $27,000 to get home to Sacramento...


I guess when people are desperate, you can charge just about anything. This price is banditry. What would have happened had they not had the 27 Gs? Would she have died on the tarmac? Given the black-hearted bedside manner of these lifesavers, I would guess yes.

turtleandtoad - 12-30-2007 at 05:58 PM

Too bad they won't cover people with existing conditions. I was turned down because of 3 stents in my heart and Type II diabetes. Both have been under control since 2000 with meds and exercise.

The Good Sam program accepted me.

[Edited on 12-31-2007 by turtleandtoad]

bajamigo - 12-30-2007 at 09:35 PM

What's the "Good Sam" program? I'd be interested, since I have an array of "pre-exisitng conditions," i.e., good reasons to be rejected.

capn.sharky - 12-30-2007 at 10:08 PM

I have Skymed and I don't remember anything when I signed up about not covering pre-existing conditions. Maybe SkymedBarbara could shed some light on this for us. Never had to use it (thank God) but nice to have in your back pocket. It takes a call from a Doctor to let Skymed know what you will be needing. Very reasonable premium and I understand that get there fast in a Jet with paramedics on board.

Skeet/Loreto - 12-31-2007 at 07:42 AM

In the Past there were Problems with different Companies "Brokering" the Med Flights to the Cheapest they could find, while the Victum lay on the Tarmac awaiting the Results of the "Brokering".
It is my understanding that SkyMed has done a much better Job.

Living the many years in Loreto , my wife and I became familiar with the very Good Medical Service in Constitution and La Paz.
There is very Good Medical in both Places. Good Doctors and Care. Now they may not have all the Fancy new Equpt that is in the States but they take good care of you.
If I had a Problem there I would not Hesitate to go go either of the Hospitals in both places.
Dr. Gustavo Morillia and his wife are Excellent Doctors as well as others.

Of Course each of us has to make the Decision in a Given Situtation.

If you are a Resident in those areas ,go down and take a look, talk to the different Doctors, inspect the Places, You will feel better when making that Decision.

Happy New Year

Skeet/Loreto

turtleandtoad - 12-31-2007 at 08:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
What's the "Good Sam" program? I'd be interested, since I have an array of "pre-exisitng conditions," i.e., good reasons to be rejected.


It's called EA+, (Emergency Assistance +). You can find more info on the Good Sam website at Good Sam EA+.

When I applied for Sky Med, their application had a couple of health history questions, which I answered truthfully. I sent the app, a letter expanding on my health condition, and my check in, and got my check back with a letter stating that they had to reject me because of my pre-existing conditions.

Even though I haven't had any problems with either condition. In fact, I have a Nuclear Stress Test (among other tests) once a year and always get the same question, "are you sure you've had a heart attack?".

As to my Diabetes, my blood sugar is firmly under control and seldom gets out of the 100-140 range.

I guess their policy is to hedge their bets and only cover people that are perfectly healthy. :P

bajamigo - 12-31-2007 at 09:42 AM

Thanks for the info, TnT. I think in the insurance business they call that "one-way underwriting:" you pay me a premium but I accept no risk. I'll look into Good Sam.

Fred - 12-31-2007 at 09:49 AM

Thank you all for the info. I also have MANY pre-existing conditions. I found someone to tow me back from Punta Bunta this summer, but that was just lucky.

David K - 12-31-2007 at 09:55 AM

How does the Bi-National Emergency Medical sevice run by Celia Diaz interact with Sky Med or any evac service?

Is payment to both needed to get the best service?

SkyMedBarbara - 12-31-2007 at 10:11 AM

SkyMed transports its members home to their hospital and their personal medical care providers. Paid for by SkyMed. Everything you need will be provided for in a critical illness or injury situation. $180.00 per single or $360.00 per family. Bi-National Emergency Medical service gets you help in many ways....you have to pay for everything....$30.00 per person per year.

David K - 12-31-2007 at 10:21 AM

What are the limits of air evac service? Only International airports, paved airports, any open airport runway?

There was someone we all knew who had Bi-National coverage, at a paved airport, and no help was sent. In the 'old days' the U.S. Coast Gaurd would fly in a helicopter to rescue a serious injured American in Baja.

SkyMedBarbara - 12-31-2007 at 10:47 AM

Here is a quote from SKyMed..Appropriate Airport.....A place where fixed-wing aircraft selected by the air ambulance carrier can land, takeoff, and have the safe use of needed maintenance and ground service facilities. SkyMed also states to me that they only guarantee transportation out of "Gov't" regulated airports, like Loreto, Cabo, La Paz, San Felipe, etc. but they have sent a prop plane to Guerro Negro, but no one can bank on it.

Cap - 12-31-2007 at 11:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
Here is a quote from SKyMed..Appropriate Airport.....A place where fixed-wing aircraft selected by the air ambulance carrier can land, takeoff, and have the safe use of needed maintenance and ground service facilities. SkyMed also states to me that they only guarantee transportation out of "Gov't" regulated airports, like Loreto, Cabo, La Paz, San Felipe, etc. but they have sent a prop plane to Guerro Negro, but no one can bank on it.


If Guerro Negro is questionable than I think you should consider these services only if you are close to the above mentioned cities. GN is paved and long. I would venture a guess that they are covering their bases by only using airports that have a published Instrument Approach Procedures. That is, that you can get in when the skies are cloudy. This is understandable if you are going to be relied upon for air transport in an emergency. They are only trying to promise what they can deliver consistently. Read you policy, I would be interested to know what caveats exist for emergencies that occur during bad weather.

Not trying to knock what sounds like an otherwise good service, just thought I could lend a small amount of perspective.

Skeet/Loreto - 12-31-2007 at 01:00 PM

SkymedBarbara:
I would be interested in your Background and History.

I would like to Apply for a Job as Follows; Skymed Service from all Areas!!
I will purchase a 170B with a 180 Lyc. Constant Speed Prop- Large Tires and Double Tailwheel.
Will go in to nearly any Area in Baja Sur including the Beaches and transfer to the Paved Airports. any of the Sick or Injured.

I am Appalled at the lack of interest and Knowledge of the Good Medical Care in most Areas around Loreto{Loreto has always been behind the Curve} but that is another Case of Mexican Politics.

1992 I took my Wife to The General Hospital in Constitution with a Leaking Append. She had 4 Hours to live. She was operated on Sunday, released the following week.

I know of several incidents of People going to the Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in La Paz. Good Quality Care .

What is wrong with People!!!!
Lay on the Tarmac for several hours taking a Chance to get Worse or Die when Good Medical Care is so Near.???

Go to the General Hospital around 6 Am every morning and just watch the Number of Children that are being taken care of all day long.
Get out of your Boxes!! It might save your Life!!!

Skeet/Loreto

Cap - 12-31-2007 at 04:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
SkymedBarbara:
I would be interested in your Background and History.

I would like to Apply for a Job as Follows; Skymed Service from all Areas!!
I will purchase a 170B with a 180 Lyc. Constant Speed Prop- Large Tires and Double Tailwheel.
Will go in to nearly any Area in Baja Sur including the Beaches and transfer to the Paved Airports. any of the Sick or Injured.


I think you would need a larger plane for medical evac. It would be hard to get a stretcher in a 170. Have you seen the Sherpa?

Barbara

bajaguy - 12-31-2007 at 04:49 PM

Is Ensenada on the "fly to" list???

David K - 1-1-2008 at 09:47 AM

Ensenada is an international airport now, so I would sure hope so.

Too bad that as long as Baja is, that they can only fly out of International airports...

If memory serves, they include: Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, San Felipe, Loreto, La Paz, Los Cabos.

From Ensenada (or San Felipe) to Loreto is a long stretch to bring a an injured or sick person to one end or another.

Paved runways between those points include San Quintin military, Rancho Santa Ynez, Bahia de los Angeles, Punta Prieta, Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia/ Mulege (Palo Verde). Punta San Francisquito had a paved runway, but the parallel dirt one is smoother now. Gonzaga Bay has a mile long well groomed dirt runway (Rancho Grande) too.

Anyway, the point is in daylight, good weather, air evac should be able to go to the other paved strips in Baja... and the maintained dirt ones, as well.... to save a life.

Cap - 1-1-2008 at 06:37 PM

Ensenada has been an International Airport for quite some time. The Problem there is the lack of a Precision Instrument Approach, and frequent low cloud ceilings. All of the pacific side runways you listed, have similar problem and they do not even have a non-precision approach published for them. Many of the previously listed airports do not have lights either, and are illegal to fly into after sunset.

Furthermore, if you fly around third world countries much you will find that smaller airfields are not reliably open. It is not uncommon to find closed runways just weeks after the last time you used them (Palo Verde).

If a company is going to take your premiums for medical evacuation insurance they (and they are responsible) they will clearly state that they can only guarantee pick up in places that they can first get in to in less than ideal weather conditions, with some reliability, and secondly that the local officials will not close on a whim, or because the kickback was not sufficient this month.
I haven't even started with fuel availability...

My point being; if you are expecting a medical evacuation in Punta Sanfransiquito based on the coverage you purchased, you might be waiting a while, and this could affect your decision of where to retire. Or help you weigh the relative value of the insurance based on your current location.

Read carefully, I don't think the insurance company is trying to fool anyone, more likely they are just covering their bases and being upfront with what they can realistically provide.

Anyone telling you not to worry about it, is either ill-informed, or trying to sell some insurance.

David K - 1-2-2008 at 09:57 AM

What happened to the Coast Gaurd flying out injured Americans in their helicopters? They did in the 60's and 70's...

Cap - 1-2-2008 at 02:29 PM

I really don't have any idea if the US coast guard would be of much assistance. I have heard stories of such, but I never verified any of the info. And like you say, they were old stories.
I think a sat. phone is probably the best backcountry insurance one can get. A good first aid kit and traveling with at least one other person are also good ideas. Then keep the locations of airstrips marked on your map. I have flown people out several times by pure coincidence of my arrival. Not fool proof , but better than nothing. There were several Baja Bush pilots that were organizing a volunteer search and rescue a few years back, I haven't heard what happened to them but, you might try the BBP sight. I would think that there would be a great oppurtunity for coordination.

SkyMedBarbara - 1-3-2008 at 08:22 AM

As a SkyMed Membership Rep. in Loreto I never make any statements that don't come direcly from SkyMed. Here are two to answer two items in this post.
1. We accept literally hundreds or more who have had stints, and diabete is ALWAYS covered.

2. SkyMed is upfront and honest, by stating that pre-existing conditions are covered after 90 days, and that all applications are subject to medical underwriting. This is on page 8 under EXCLUSIONS in your Welcome Book when you got your cards. It is in the questions and answers on the SkyMed front page online...Read...Read..Read ...SkyMed sells itself....and for the services you can receive it is so inexpensive.