What’s the Process for Arranging Medical Transport for a Family Member Who Had an Accident Abroad?

When you have a family member traveling abroad, you hope to get beautiful pictures and updates on their trip. The last thing you want is to discover your loved one requires emergency care after an accident. If you do find yourself needing to act quickly, here are the steps to ensure they get home safely and smoothly. 

1. Ensure Patient Stability 

The first thing to do in an emergency is to ensure your family member receives immediate care. They may call you themselves, or emergency services may reach out if you are their emergency contact. The patient’s well-being is the priority. 

Seek Local Care 

Depending on the severity of the emergency, the patient may need to be escorted to the nearest care facility. Emergency U.S. consular lines run 24/7 to help travelers locate medical services and contact family. The CDC and the International Society of Travel Medicine both offer online resources and directories for international medical services that are best for citizens abroad in many countries. 

Gather Essential Documents 

There are several key documents that you can either gather or help your loved one prepare: 

• Passport or photo ID: Travelers should always carry a valid, up-to-date passport or photo ID to verify their identity, especially in an emergency. 
• Proof of insurance: An insurance member ID card holds critical information, including the company name and policy number. Other forms of proof might be an app or an email thread with a verifiable agent. 
• Medical information: A medical card containing a patient’s health-related information can include blood type, preexisting conditions, medications and allergies. 

2. Contact the Necessary Authorities 

Depending on the severity and urgency of the situation, you can support your loved one by contacting authorities to coordinate logistics and support. If necessary, you should also contact local police or file an incident report. 

Embassy or Consulate

Many countries have embassies in their capitals and consulates in other major cities. While consulates work more directly with citizen services and may offer faster support throughout the country, an embassy will be better for those in the country’s capital city. It can provide support, including locating medical centers that speak the patient’s language, help with documentation and support communication. 

Insurance Providers

Contacting insurance providers is one of the most essential calls to make. Many providers will have 24/7 emergency lines, allowing you to notify the agency about the incident and get things moving. The process will look different depending on what coverage your family member has: 

• Domestic insurance: May have limited ability to cover medical expenses abroad. Contacting the provider can clarify claims and reimbursements. 
• Travel disruption insurance: Typically reserved for expenses related to lost or damaged items, it may also help cover medical costs. 
• Travel health insurance: This is the most recommended coverage for travelers and covers many medical expenses abroad. 
• Medical evacuation insurance: If medical evacuation (medevac) is necessary, this insurance can save travelers thousands of dollars. 
• No health insurance: Contact the embassy or consulate for help navigating foreign health care systems without insurance. 

3. Arrange Medical Transport

For severe cases that require medevac, arranging medical transport requires coordination and logistical support. Determine which option works best for your situation based on location, insurance coverage and severity. 

Air Ambulance

For critical cases requiring immediate intensive care, an air ambulance is the best option. These can be a helicopter or a fixed-wing aircraft outfitted for emergency services for patients who cannot wait or withstand the rigors of a commercial flight. 

Commercial Stretcher Service 

People who are bed-bound may require a commercial stretcher service, which is a more cost-effective alternative to a private air ambulance. The patient is accompanied by two medical professionals on an aircraft retrofitted to accommodate those who need to remain lying flat but don’t require the full ICU setup of an ambulance. 

Commercial Flight With Medical Escort

Stable patients can travel on a commercial flight under medical supervision. Specific circumstances include traveling with an oxygen tank, mobility support, or medication and pain management. 

Ground Transportation

For shorter distances, ground transportation in an ambulance may be ideal. Specialized services typically have equipment ready for intensive care and life support. These units are more equipped than standard ambulances and are suitable for distances where air travel is impractical. 

4. Coordinate Health Care Logistics Upon Return

The repatriation process is the coordination of returning the patient to their country for medical care. This involves careful collaboration from both the overseas medical caregivers and the involved parties at home for arranging medical transport and transferring them to the hospital. 

Obtain a “Fit to Fly” Assessment 

People need a medical clearance to determine if they are stable enough to be evacuated. The assessment takes into account factors related to a flight, such as cabin pressure changes and tight space confinement, while also evaluating the patient’s current condition and the level of care needed to stabilize them. 

Select a Provider and Get a Quote 

To ensure your family member receives the best care, select a provider who best aligns with your needs. Consider factors including insurance coverage, cost transparency, support services, response time and reliability. Be sure that the selected provider has the necessary equipment and resources available for your situation. 

Finalize Details

Be sure all logistics are covered, from getting the patient onto the medevac unit to securing a hospital bed. It’s critical to ensure they have a guaranteed bed at the receiving hospital before transportation begins to avoid delays. 

While many services handle the entire bed-to-bed process, you can ensure that no detail gets left out. Verify that all documentation, including passports or visas and permissions, is prepared. 

Financial and Insurance Realities 

Depending on insurance type and coverage, the process may be very expensive. Medical evacuation services, especially coming from a more remote area, may cost upward of $100,000 without insurance coverage. 

Insurance coverage varies by plan and provider. Some may cover most or all of the costs, especially if the patient purchased travel and medevac insurance before their trip. Others may cover only a portion of the care, while people without insurance will have to pay out of pocket.

The No Surprises Act prevents surprise billing from most emergency medical services, even if the air ambulance service is not in-network with your insurance provider. 

Best Medical Transport Companies

There are many options to choose from for emergency medevac. It’s important to consider factors that will work best for you and your family member’s needs in an emergency. 

Key Criteria for Top Providers

The best medevac providers meet the following criteria:

• Accreditation and certification: Providers are accredited by reputable sources, including the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and/or the European Aero-Medical Institute (EURAMI).
• Specialized patient care: The service offers a range of options for care for various medical conditions. 
• Safety record: There are verifiable records of safety as well as documented operational protocol and standards. 
• Comprehensive bed-to-bed service: Top providers support patients through the repatriation process, ensuring the patient arrives at their home country hospital through all logistical steps. 
• Worldwide operations: The provider offers services in multiple countries. 
• Transparent pricing: Costs are clearly defined, including outlining insurance coverage to prevent surprise bills. 
• Clear communication: The team consistently communicates with the patient’s family throughout the transportation process. 

AirCARE1

AirCARE1 is an air ambulance and commercial medical escort service with a fleet of private ambulances and medical professionals ready for emergencies. The company manages the entire transportation process, from coordinating between the initial emergency care unit and the receiving hospital to handling the complex logistics of international travel. 

Services are designed to be as stress-free as possible for the family, with a focus on patient comfort and well-being. A dedicated team of medical professionals and pilots ensures a high level of care throughout the journey. Whether the patient requires a private air ambulance or a commercial medical escort, AirCARE1 has the resources and expertise to facilitate a smooth and secure transfer.

Key features: 

• Accreditation: Earned a voluntary accreditation from CAMTS and claims rigorous dedication to continued accreditation.
• Safety management: Maintains a 100% safety record and promotes a safety culture across all departments to establish an operationwide protocol.
• Range of services: Offers services in multiple countries in North and South America and the Caribbean Islands. Sophisticated medical equipment ensures top-quality care for a variety of patient needs.
• Holistic care: Takes a unique approach to ensuring patient comfort, including using aromatherapy and music to support the healing process.

AirMed International 

AirMed International is a leading provider of worldwide air ambulance and medical evacuation services. Respondents are available 24/7 and provide global coverage, allowing teams to tend to emergencies anywhere in the world. AirMed manages the entire repatriation process, coordinating with medical teams in both the departure and arrival locations. 

From critical care air ambulance transport to commercial medical escorts, emergency service teams can tailor transportation to the patient’s specific medical needs. AirMed provides a reliable and experienced option for bringing a family member home after an accident overseas.

Key features: 

• Dual accreditation: Certified with both CAMTS and EURAMI, meeting the requirements for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Commercial Airlift Review Board.
• Global reach: Has served 250 cities in 150 countries with multiple bases strategically located across the world. 
• Comprehensive bed-to-bed service: Manages all aspects of the transport, including ground transportation, to ensure a seamless patient transfer.
• Membership program: Offers an annual membership program that provides financial peace of mind by covering the cost of medical transport if needed.

REVA 

REVA is a global air ambulance and medical evacuation provider that operates 24/7, 365 days a year, making it a reliable choice for families arranging medical transport for a loved one who has had an accident abroad. Its worldwide reach equips it to handle international medical emergencies with a highly efficient and compassionate approach. 

REVA manages the process through its advanced communications center, which ensures a smooth and comfortable journey for the patient. It handles all repatriation details, providing a comprehensive bed-to-bed service. Teams also assist with the complexities of insurance claims, which can be a significant relief for families during a stressful time. With a strong emphasis on safety and patient experience, REVA offers a comprehensive and professional solution for international medical transport.

Key features: 

• Award-winning service and accreditations: Named Air Ambulance Company of the Year 2025 by the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal and has multiple accreditations, including EURAMI. 
• Multilingual team: Highly qualified specialists in emergency care with multilingual members, facilitating clear communication with clients and families worldwide.
• Safety standards: Safety training and programs exceed regulatory requirements, ensuring the highest level of safety for patients and crew.
• Insurance assistance: Reimbursement specialists help families navigate the insurance process, answering questions, managing procedures and appealing decisions to maximize coverage.

Comparing Top Medical Transport Providers

The following comparison table can help you compare the listed providers at a glance. 

Provider	Accreditations and Safety Standards	Notable Features
AirCARE1	CAMTS, 100% safety record	Unique approach to holistic patient comfort using aromatherapy and music to support the healing process
AirMed International	CAMTS and EURAMI, meets DoD standards	Annual membership program that provides financial peace of mind by covering the cost of medical transport if needed
REVA	Award-winning service, EURAMI and more	Reimbursement specialists help families navigate the insurance process to maximize coverage

Frequently Asked Questions 

The following FAQs discuss key considerations for those arranging medical transport for family members who have experienced an accident abroad. 

How Much Does Medical Transport Cost? 

Costs of emergency medical transport vary widely based on several factors, including where the emergency occurs, where the patient is transferred, what level of care is required and what insurance covers. Private ambulance transportation flights from rural areas abroad without coverage may cost over $100,000, while shorter trips on commercial flights may cost around $20,000. 

Some insurance plans may cover the entire trip. Others may not include any transportation costs, so it’s essential to contact providers as soon as possible in the event of an emergency. 

Will My Insurance Cover the Cost?

Your insurance may or may not cover emergency medical transportation costs abroad. Most providers recommend purchasing travel insurance before departing on a trip to cover any unexpected medical issues. Those with more serious preexisting conditions can buy medical evacuation insurance that can cover most or even all of the costs. 

Safe Travels in Any Scenario 

If your loved one needs emergency care and medical evacuation while they are abroad, you can take immediate action to ensure they receive the best possible care. Ensure they are stable before arranging medical transport appropriate for their condition. Understanding the process and best transportation options will help ensure your family member returns home safe and sound.