BajaNomad

Medi-Vac

Lauriboats - 4-11-2008 at 09:46 AM

Yesterday our good friend Ed fell off of our water truck and had to be medically evacuated back to the United States. We took him to the clinic in Mulege, it took around 6 hours and $18,500 to coordinate the transfer. Ed went by ambulance to Loreto and then they flew him to Chula Vista the closest hospital in the U.S. There was a problem in Loreto because Ed's passport wasn't stamped so the Medi-Vac plane was delayed at the airport for over an hour. The Medi-Vac people finally paid the fees and they were allowed to take off. Just wanted to let everyone know to make sure that your passports are stamped when you enter Mexico. Lauri

BMG - 4-11-2008 at 10:05 AM

Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope he recovers quickly.

Interesting about the passport stamp. I know mine has never been stamped by anyone in Mexico.

SkyMed

SkyMedBarbara - 4-11-2008 at 02:16 PM

A very good reason why everyone who has medical insurance in the U.S. or Canada should have SkyMed.....to transport you right from Loreto (and other Baja airports) to your hometown and your medical facility incase of critical injury or illness. I am a membership rep. here in Loreto....can answer all your questions. Please contact me at skymedloreto@gmail...you can go onlline to apply at www. SkyMed.com/Loreto. Hope Ed recovers fast...shows how anything can happen to anyone....be protected for a few dollars a year. single $180.00 family $360.00. Loreto's and Baja's SkyMed Rep. Barbara

DianaT - 4-11-2008 at 02:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
A very good reason why everyone who has medical insurance in the U.S. or Canada should have SkyMed.....to transport you right from Loreto (and other Baja airports) to your hometown and your medical facility incase of critical injury or illness. I am a membership rep. here in Loreto....can answer all your questions. Please contact me at skymedloreto@gmail...you can go onlline to apply at www. SkyMed.com/Loreto. Hope Ed recovers fast...shows how anything can happen to anyone....be protected for a few dollars a year. single $180.00 family $360.00. Loreto's and Baja's SkyMed Rep. Barbara


This is what we have heard---yes or no, please

If you have a home in Baja and don't know for sure when you are going to be there, this coverage is not good. Yes or no, please

The service is not good for dirt airstrips like in Bahia Asuncion. Yes or no

The service is not good for Guerrero Negro airstirp, yes or no

Thanks
Diane

Sorry if this sounds a little curt but I have asked these questions before and have only received vague and differing answers.

[Edited on 4-11-2008 by jdtrotter]

Bob and Susan - 4-11-2008 at 03:04 PM

i pretty sure if you have full coverage with http://www.bajabound.com
you get full evac service free of charge

you just have to be hurt in the car...

i don't know about falling off the car:biggrin:

lets let jeff respond

Bajagypsy - 4-11-2008 at 03:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
A very good reason why everyone who has medical insurance in the U.S. or Canada should have SkyMed.....to transport you right from Loreto (and other Baja airports) to your hometown and your medical facility incase of critical injury or illness. I am a membership rep. here in Loreto....can answer all your questions. Please contact me at skymedloreto@gmail...you can go onlline to apply at www. SkyMed.com/Loreto. Hope Ed recovers fast...shows how anything can happen to anyone....be protected for a few dollars a year. single $180.00 family $360.00. Loreto's and Baja's SkyMed Rep. Barbara


This is what we have heard---yes or no, please

If you have a home in Baja and don't know for sure when you are going to be there, this coverage is not good. Yes or no, please

The service is not good for dirt airstrips like in Bahia Asuncion. Yes or no

The service is not good for Guerrero Negro airstirp, yes or no

Thanks
Diane

Sorry if this sounds a little curt but I have asked these questions before and have only received vague and differing answers.

[Edited on 4-11-2008 by jdtrotter]


We to would be interested in finding out the answers to Diane's questions.

mtgoat666 - 4-11-2008 at 03:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
A very good reason why everyone who has medical insurance in the U.S. or Canada should have SkyMed.....to transport you right from Loreto (and other Baja airports) to your hometown and your medical facility incase of critical injury or illness. I am a membership rep. here in Loreto....can answer all your questions. Please contact me at skymedloreto@gmail...you can go onlline to apply at www. SkyMed.com/Loreto. Hope Ed recovers fast...shows how anything can happen to anyone....be protected for a few dollars a year. single $180.00 family $360.00. Loreto's and Baja's SkyMed Rep. Barbara


This is what we have heard---yes or no, please

If you have a home in Baja and don't know for sure when you are going to be there, this coverage is not good. Yes or no, please

The service is not good for dirt airstrips like in Bahia Asuncion. Yes or no

The service is not good for Guerrero Negro airstirp, yes or no

Thanks
Diane

Sorry if this sounds a little curt but I have asked these questions before and have only received vague and differing answers.

[Edited on 4-11-2008 by jdtrotter]


We to would be interested in finding out the answers to Diane's questions.


If your answers are not answered on an internet chat board, then you should talk to insurers -- internet chatter is only worth what you pay for it..

But, having purchased before for another country, I found it typically jet transport from nearest airport that can handle small jet, according to Ts and Cs, etc..
I suspect insurers operating from remote locations would find it hard to dispatch non-jet planes to unpaved strips.

Every insurance contract is unique -- call the insurer and ask your questions and negotiate your deal.

DianaT - 4-11-2008 at 03:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
If your answers are not answered on an internet chat board, then you should talk to insurers -- internet chatter is only worth what you pay for it..

But, having purchased before for another country, I found it typically jet transport from nearest airport that can handle small jet, according to Ts and Cs, etc..
I suspect insurers operating from remote locations would find it hard to dispatch non-jet planes to unpaved strips.

Every insurance contract is unique -- call the insurer and ask your questions and negotiate your deal.


You are correct. What is frustrating is that I have e-mailed some of these insurers and still don't get the specific answers.

Since SkyMedBarbar is an agent, I thought she might have specific answers.

Diane

Kell-Baja - 4-11-2008 at 04:43 PM

I sure hope that your friend is going to be Ok.

oladulce - 4-11-2008 at 04:44 PM

Thank you Lauriboats .

They used to stamp our passports all the time when driving in, but I haven't gotten an entrance stamp for many years and have just shrugged, "oh well".

I'll insist upon a stamp from now on, even if they have to draw it with a crayola.

The extra hour that Ed had to wait while they ironed this out could have made a huge difference in the outcome of his injuries, especially since 6 hours had already passed, and hopefully it didn't worsen his condition .

By passing on this information you may have saved a few lives. Muchas gracias.

BajaWarrior - 4-11-2008 at 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope he recovers quickly.

Interesting about the passport stamp. I know mine has never been stamped by anyone in Mexico.



What about his FM-T? You have to get that in order to cross below Guererro Negro.

And it is stamped at the border. Or an FM-3 or 2, same deal.

Lauriboats - 4-11-2008 at 06:54 PM

Ed flew into Loreto only a week prior on a commercial jet and had his paper work, just no stamp on his passport for some reason. Yesterday, that stamp was a big deal during his emergency evacuation . I have learned that in Mexico you just have to go with the flow when it comes to paperwork. This time, however, it was really hard to do that. Ed is going to be alright, he fractured his wrist and apparently bruised his brain during the fall that caused him to have total memory loss. He sure did give us a big scare.

Bajagypsy - 4-11-2008 at 07:01 PM

Lauriboats, I hope your friend is ok, that was rude of me not to post that in my first post sorry.

Passport stamp

Ricardo - 4-11-2008 at 09:07 PM

Just checked my passport, I was in LaPaz for Spring Break,No stamps from Mexico, two from the US, I came down from Canada, They didn't even get me to push the button, just waved me through.

BMG - 4-12-2008 at 07:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope he recovers quickly.

Interesting about the passport stamp. I know mine has never been stamped by anyone in Mexico.



What about his FM-T? You have to get that in order to cross below Guererro Negro.

And it is stamped at the border. Or an FM-3 or 2, same deal.


As for my U.S. Passport and my FM3, neither have any Mexican stamps in them.


Glad to hear that your friend Ed is recovering. Since he can't remember the accident, tell him that it was a turnip truck instead of a water truck.

Lauriboats - 4-12-2008 at 09:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope he recovers quickly.

Interesting about the passport stamp. I know mine has never been stamped by anyone in Mexico.



What about his FM-T? You have to get that in order to cross below Guererro Negro.

And it is stamped at the border. Or an FM-3 or 2, same deal.


As for my U.S. Passport and my FM3, neither have any Mexican stamps in them.


Glad to hear that your friend Ed is recovering. Since he can't remember the accident, tell him that it was a turnip truck instead of a water truck.


He would really get a good laugh about the turnip truck thing. They ended up moving him to ICU last night, but when he comes around I will tell him.

jodiego - 4-12-2008 at 09:51 AM

Please excuse my ignorance, but why did it cost $18,500 to take care of this matter?:wow:

DianaT - 4-12-2008 at 10:01 AM

Sorry to hear he was moved to ICU---it didn't sound so bad before. Hope he comes around quickly.

Diane

Lauriboats - 4-12-2008 at 10:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jodiego
Please excuse my ignorance, but why did it cost $18,500 to take care of this matter?:wow:


The plane came in from Long Beach with two nurses on board. Our only concern was for Ed's well being and time was a big issue. The doctors in Mulege ordered and arranged for the transport. There may have been less expensive alternatives but in this case we didn't feel that there were any other options. The money had to be approved on a credit card before they would send the plane. Medical care is very expensive. Lauri

jodiego - 4-12-2008 at 10:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lauriboats
Quote:
Originally posted by jodiego
Please excuse my ignorance, but why did it cost $18,500 to take care of this matter?:wow:


The plane came in from Long Beach with two nurses on board. Our only concern was for Ed's well being and time was a big issue. The doctors in Mulege ordered and arranged for the transport. There may have been less expensive alternatives but in this case we didn't feel that there were any other options. The money had to be approved on a credit card before they would send the plane. Medical care is very expensive. Lauri


Thanks. I can understand your situation. I certainly hope Ed gets back on his feet very soon.

rob - 4-12-2008 at 11:41 AM

Lauriboats said

" . . .then they flew him to Chula Vista the closest hospital in the U.S"

and SkyMedBarbara pitches in (I chose the word carefully)

".....to transport you right from Loreto (and other Baja airports) to your hometown and your medical facility in case of critical injury or illness."

We want to be a tad careful here - most Medivac contracts I have read will take you to the nearest airport serving a hospital judged capable of treating your problem - in this case, Chula Vista. In no way will they "take you to your hometown and (personal) medical facility . .. " maybe SkyMedBarbara forgot to mention that this service might require a special and expensive rider to the policy.

SkyMedBarbara - 4-12-2008 at 02:37 PM

I will try to answer your questions for SkyMed Air Evacuation. They are based in Scotsdale, Arizona. The company is 18 years old.....so very experienced with air evacuations.

1. They can only send a medically equipted air jet to an air field that is paved, lighted, with all facilities, gas, maintenance etc. Loreto, Cabo etc. Not BOLA nor Guerrero Negro......Mostly this has to to with the plane that flies in and their insurance policy....not the medical evacuation company.

2. Having a home here makes no difference, you could just be vacationing....TIME spent in MEXICO is the difference. SkyMed has two different policies... up to 6 month in MEXICO or more than 6 months in MEXICO. THAT determines the cost. The other 6 months of course you are covered 100 air miles from your home....in US or Canada. They transport you back to your hospital of preferance not just the closest one

3. There are so may other things that SKyMed covers. If you are interesed please go to www.SkyMed.com/Loreto and go to the questions and answer section. If it doesn't answer your question please e mail me at skymedloreto@gmail. or I can respond here again. Thanks Barbara

DianaT - 4-12-2008 at 02:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
I will try to answer your questions for SkyMed Air Evacuation. They are based in Scotsdale, Arizona. The company is 18 years old.....so very experienced with air evacuations.

1. They can only send a medically equipted air jet to an air field that is paved, lighted, with all facilities, gas, maintenance etc. Loreto, Cabo etc. Not BOLA nor Guerrero Negro......Mostly this has to to with the plane that flies in and their insurance policy....not the medical evacuation company.

2. Having a home here makes no difference, you could just be vacationing....TIME spent in MEXICO is the difference. SkyMed has two different policies... up to 6 month in MEXICO or more than 6 months in MEXICO. THAT determines the cost. The other 6 months of course you are covered 100 air miles from your home....in US or Canada. They transport you back to your hospital of preferance not just the closest one

3. There are so may other things that SKyMed covers. If you are interesed please go to www.SkyMed.com/Loreto and go to the questions and answer section. If it doesn't answer your question please e mail me at skymedloreto@gmail. or I can respond here again. Thanks Barbara


Thanks for the info---would not do us much good with where we are.

Diane

mtgoat666 - 4-12-2008 at 02:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara

1. They can only send a medically equipted air jet to an air field that is paved, lighted, with all facilities, gas, maintenance etc. Loreto, Cabo etc. Not BOLA nor Guerrero Negro......Mostly this has to to with the plane that flies in and their insurance policy....not the medical evacuation company.



barbara,
i can charter a jet to land me at guerrero negro, so must be an air evac service that can evac me from gurrero negro. if you can't, then which air-evac services will fly to paved fields like guerrero negro?

i have seen turbo-prop air ambulances in california that must be capable of landing at many unpaved mexican strips. do any of your your competitors offer air evac from mexico from unpaved fields?

SkyMedBarbara - 4-12-2008 at 03:13 PM

Quote direcly from SkyMed....Sky Med only guarantees transportation out of "Gov't" regulated airports, but they have sent a prop plane to Guerro Negro, but no one can bank on it. Again, it has to do with plane INSURANCE, that dictates whether they can land or not at an airport.

DianaT - 4-12-2008 at 03:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
Quote direcly from SkyMed....Sky Med only guarantees transportation out of "Gov't" regulated airports, but they have sent a prop plane to Guerro Negro, but no one can bank on it. Again, it has to do with plane INSURANCE, that dictates whether they can land or not at an airport.


That is too bad. We would be interested in the insurance, but not without guarentees---the maybes are just not OK for us.

Celia Diaz from the Binational Emerigency Committee has assured us that she has arranged and can arrange for emergency evac from Guerrero Negro so we signed up for her service. But guess we will just need to pay for the Evac if we need it and I hope we don't.

Hope Laurie's friend is out of ICU and on the mend!

Diane



[Edited on 4-12-2008 by jdtrotter]

mtgoat666 - 4-12-2008 at 04:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SkyMedBarbara
Quote direcly from SkyMed....Sky Med only guarantees transportation out of "Gov't" regulated airports, but they have sent a prop plane to Guerro Negro, but no one can bank on it. Again, it has to do with plane INSURANCE, that dictates whether they can land or not at an airport.


guerrero is a paved military strip. i suspect an experienced or adept air charter firm should be able to arrange something at such a field. maybe you need to charter with other air firm.

Lauriboats - 4-12-2008 at 05:35 PM

Thank you Diane and everyone else for all of your support. Ed is now out of ICU and he is scheduled for surgery on his wrist in the morning. Things are looking up. Lauri

rts551 - 4-12-2008 at 07:27 PM

There are regular flights from Guerrero Negro (did I spell that right?) and the mainland. Friend of ours took one last year. Got a seat without a reservation.

Lauriboats - 4-14-2008 at 03:34 PM

I don't know all of the details yet, but I just found out that my AAA plus towing insurance will cover medical evacuations up to $25,000. I will definitely check into it more when I get home.