Robert H. Page, MD and Curtis P. Page, MD are authors of the MEXICO: Health and Safety Travel Guide and the Healthy Traveler Regional Series. For more information visit medtogo.com
Air ambulance services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout Mexico and the United States. Cost of typical air transport from Mexico to the United States or Canada can be from US$13,000–US$25,000 or more, depending on severity of illness and requirements of the patient during flight. The entire bill must be paid prior to the aircraft’s takeoff. The medical transport company will work to secure authorization for transport with your insurance provider if this is a covered benefit. Usually family members may accompany the patient at no additional cost.
Remember, many insurance policies simply do not cover emergency transportation, regardless of the degree of emergency. Medicare does not cover emergency air evacuation from Mexico. We recommend that you purchase additional traveler’s health insurance that includes emergency air transport, especially if you have a chronic medical condition that could put you at a higher risk.
Note: Despite the above warnings, we believe that there are a number of highly qualified physicians and hospitals in Mexico, and that air transport back to the United States or Canada is almost always unnecessary. Transport to one of Mexico’s best hospitals will not only save a tremendous amount of money on air evacuation, but will often result in more rapid attention that can be life saving. There are several exceptional medical facilities in Mexico’s larger cities, many of which are more than capable of handling the most severe of medical situations.
Should evacuation be needed, a call from a certified MedToGo hospital or medical facility will start the processing of all the requirements needed for emergency air transportation. In most circumstances, the company dispatch department will arrange all customs, immigration, and international documents on board the aircraft. It is required that all patients have their passport number, date of birth, nationality verified and visa information on hand.
A quality air ambulance company will have ICU/CCU registered nurses, respiratory therapists, critical care flight physicians, and advanced life support paramedics. Personnel should have a minimum of 5 years critical care experience and certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Life Support (PALS), and Transport Nurse Advanced Trauma Course (TNATC).
The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) is the only accreditation program for fixed wing and rotor wing air ambulance organizations. CAMTS requires that the transport provider performs to high standards and strives to ensure that proper patient care and transport safety is maintained throughout the flight. The best companies have excellent training programs and annual review programs for their crews. They offer the best and latest equipment. Transportation and aircraft are modern, carefully inspected and regulated by national agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
There are a number of excellent companies based both in Mexico and in the United States. We have listed a few below that we consider in the top echelon. None of the companies listed below have paid for their mention.
Air Ambulance Companies
Air Ambulance Specialists, Inc.
1-800-424-7060
720-875-9182
www.AirAASI.com
Air Medical
1-866-945-8959
1-830-625-3500 www.air-medical.com
Skyservice Air Ambulance
Toll-Free: 1-800-463-3482
Worldwide: 1-514-497-7000 www.skyservice.com
Air Trek Inc.
1-800-MED-JETS (1-800-633-5387)
1-800-AIR-TREK (1-800-247-8735)
Worldwide: 941-639-7855 www.medjets.com
AirLink
From Mexico: 01-800-024-8600
From U.S.: 1-888-673-7427
From Canada: 1-866-826-1177 www.airlinkambulance.com
This Yucatán regional guide is the first in a series of MedToGo: Healthy Traveler's Handbooks. The book offers a more in-depth directory of physicians and health care facilities in 10* of the region's most popular destinations. Also included are an overview of diving medicine, open water and cenote diving safety, a short list of the region's best diving schools, recommended healthy restaurants, spas and recreational activities.
This guide is for the traveler who aims to travel healthy and active while in the Yucatán Peninsula. Our recreational activities reviews include dive centers and dive sites, yoga schools, gyms, hiking, biking, and kayak trips, among others. Our spa and temazcal (Mayan vapor bath) reviews include contact information and lists of signature treatments. Hospital and hyperbaric chamber listings include services and specialties available, English-speaking administrative and medical liaisons, a rating of care, and a detailed description of each facility and its strengths and weaknesses. Physician listings include contact information, hours, charges, specialties, and a description of experience and certification. Included are city maps and emergency information, a pharmaceutical guide, translations of common medical terms and phrases, pre-travel advice, a comprehensive symptoms and conditions guide, and recommendations on traveler's insurance and immunizations.
*Covering - Akumal, Cancún, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Mérida, Playa del Carmen, Progreso, Puerto Aventuras, Puerto Morelos, Tulum
