Medical repatriation costs: prices for our bed-to-bed service

Reading Time: 3 minutes

How much does medical repatriation cost? 

Patients who, for health reasons, are unable to travel under their own steam need medical repatriation.

Medical Repatriation Costs depend on four main factors: 

1. The Length of the Route
2. The Patients State of Health and Medical Requirements 
3. The Urgency of the Situation
4. The Mode of transport used for the Mission. 

Regarding medical repatriation insurance, we are often asked in such cases who will pay the medical repatriation costs, what those costs are and how high they are. We would like to answer these questions as clearly and comprehensively as possible here. 

Medical Repatriation Insurance: Will my health insurance cover the medical repatriation costs?

When it comes to medical repatriation, the first hurdle is the question of whether the insurance company will take over the costs. This depends on the insurance cover you have taken. In a lot of cases, standard health insurance or travel insurance does not include repatriation or medical evacuation coverage. This is why those with travel plans are advised to be careful when selecting their travel insurance plan. It is important to look for a company offering Medevac or repatriation insurance. 

However, it is important to note that even a travel insurance policy that includes repatriation coverage does not necessarily cover all the costs involved. Usually, only medically necessary patient transports are covered by insurance. If medical treatment is possible locally, the repatriation costs will often not be covered. This also applies if you prefer to be treated in the UK or in any other medical facility outside of your home country. 

In our experience, the definition of 'medically necessary' can be very flexible. Medical Air Service will carry out medical evacuation or repatriation even if you do not have repatriation insurance or if the insurance company refuses to take over the costs. We will be happy to prepare an individual quotation for you, quickly and with a minimum of red tape, based on your medical condition. 

Medical repatriation costs: what you need to factor in

Regardless of whether insurance will cover the medical transport cost, you must be aware of the price of the air ambulance flight beforehand. The price of medical repatriation depends on many factors. Therefore, we cannot give any blanket figures without knowing the medical condition of the patient or other important details. We calculate each quotation individually, taking into account the following factors, among others:

• flight distance to be covered
• lead time for the flight
• number of accompanying persons
• the patient's state of health
• need for ground ambulances

In addition, the medical repatriation costs depend significantly on which means of transport is used to repatriate the patient.

Time-critical emergency transport on short routes

For a time-critical emergency where the patient only needs to be transported a few hundred kilometers, an ambulance helicopter can be used. The ambulance helicopter flight is individually tailored to the patient's needs and it ensures that medical care is provided to the patient en-route. Helicopters are appropriate for short distances only, such as transfers between hospitals or medical facilities. 

Air ambulance jet - ICU medical jet even for long distances 

Medical repatriation by ambulance jet is another option. This is suitable for medium and long-haul flights and for almost any medical condition. The medical team and medical equipment on board the plane ensure that the patient is safe throughout the flight, even during a medical emergency. The doctors on board the plane are equipped and capable of offering emergency treatment. In most cases, it is possible for a friend or family member to accompany the patient in the air ambulance, free of charge.

This option is also appropriate if the patient has COVID-19. Medical Air Service can equip its ambulance jets with the necessary isolation devices to ensure that COVID patients can fly without risks of contamination. 

Medical repatriation on board a scheduled airliner

If the patient's state of health allows it, in some cases an accompanied medical repatriation on board a scheduled aircraft is possible. Compared to a medical repatriation by ambulance jet this option is associated with significantly lower costs. However, it requires a longer lead time and is not usually possible for patients who are in critical condition.  A medical escort will accompany the patient on a commercial flight, oversee his condition and offer emergency assistance if needed. 

Tailor-made quotation for your medical repatriation

Medical Air Service is your first point of contact if you need medical evacuation or repatriation for yourself or a relative regardless of whether you are insured or not. We are available to assist you 24 hours a day, even on weekends and on public holidays. We will gladly take the time to explain all the transportation options and to inform you about the associated expenses. With us, this advice is always free of charge.

You will receive a quotation that clearly sets out all the costs involved to repatriate you back to your home country. If you accept this quotation we will begin the preparation of the ambulance flight for the medical transportation immediately. Naturally, this includes obtaining all the necessary permits. We will then send you all the required information, including the flight plan and the pick-up times.

Which services are included in the medical repatriation quotation?

Before the flight, we will discuss the services you might need in connection with your Medevac or repatriation based on your pre-existing medical condition. You can book the entire transportation service through Medical Air Service. This includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:

• 24-hour care by experienced specialist staff
• Bed-to-bed transport
• Ground transport by ambulance vehicle
• International service (interpreter, etc.)
• Obtaining the necessary documents
• Assistance dealing with paperwork such as visa

Contact us for a non-binding medical repatriation quote

Our highly experienced team is available 24 hours a day and will gladly advise you about your repatriation or evacuation options. We will organize the flight for you even if you do not have travel insurance or medical insurance with evacuation coverage. Upon request, we will calculate the medical repatriation costs for you individually and without obligation. We also organize medical evacuation if you need treatment at a hospital offering higher-level care in another country