dluchini

Chris, I think we are looking at different contexts. My remarks were in the context of my first post on this thread: “If you want to be taken home regardless of medical necessity - just because you would prefer to be in your local hospital back home, rather than in some other state or country, then you want SkyMed.” There are no determinations or approvals needed by SkyMed – just your choice - guaranteed - as stated in the fine print paragraph printed in blue that preceeds your quote. The fine print you quoted is in the context of communications between your attending physician and SkyMed which are needed to make the medically unnecessary bed to bed transport to your local hospital happen without a glitch. In certifying to SkyMed that your condition is stabilized and you are “Fit to Fly” the attending physician specifies conditions needed such as type of ground transport between hospitals and airports; the type of flight (e.g. private medically equipped aircraft, commercial w/medical escort, or commercial); special in-flight escort/medical staff (e.g. respiratory technician); in-flight medical requirements; type of hospital admission upon return home (e.g. acute, rehab, nursing); etc. SkyMed agrees to the conditions; makes all the arrangements; and confirms to the attending how the requirements are met. Communications and arrangements are also made with the admitting hospital and physician to confirm availability of a bed and appropriate medical care. FMCA members who are also SkyMed members enjoy the luxury of benefits and services unique to each plan. Instead of “either/or” the members get to choose the “best of both”.FMCA also benefits because these members remain in the Assist risk pool but represent zero or greatly reduced risk.

Vacationlovers: "But I just read their fine print, and it says that transportation will be arranged if "the Attending Physician determines and approves the need for Emergency Medical Transport, then SkyMed’s Director of Member Services confirms the need". That sounds like they might not do it just because it's what I want." Are you sure you you aren't referring to the AirMed or MASA fine print? Because I have a copy of the SkyMed fine print and it definitely does not say that while the other two plans do. And I know from personal experience with a good friend of mine whose husband was taken from AZ to CO just because he wanted to be in a hospital near home where he could see his grandchildren. He was flown by private medical jet under medical supervision - bedside to bedside from one of the top hospitals in AZ (Tucson Medical Center) to the hospital of his choice near home. There was no medical necessity for him to be transported - all he had to do was tell SkyMed he wanted it. SkyMed made all the arrangements and paid all the costs. Transports like this are very expensive. I can understand why Assist and all the other assistance plans (including AirMed and MASA) don't do them. Health insurance doesn't cover these transports because of lack of medical necessity. DonS is probably referring to MedJet's age restrictions. Neither SkyMed nor Assist have age limitations. My friend's husband is in his mid-80s. If you can identify exactly where SkyMed fine print says what you say it says, I'd like to know the details so I can compare it with the fine print I have in front of me. I generally do my homework pretty thoroughly. I actually get copies of and read both what is said and what is not said in the fine print. So if I have made a mistake, I'd like to know.

If you want to be taken home regardless of medical necessity - just because you would prefer to be in your local hospital back home, rather than in some other state or country, then you want SkyMed.

Whiteeagle: Did Dons2346 ever respond to you with details of the case where he says SkyMed did not perform? Or was he just spreading gossip? Please PM or post.