When you plan your travels, you think about flights, hotels, tours, and maybe even travel insurance. But what happens if she gets sick or becomes seriously ill away from home? Will you be stuck in a foreign hospital until you are healthy enough to fly commercially, or is there a way to return home for treatment and recovery?
These thoughts often come to our minds as professional travel writers who focus on transformative adventures who often travel as a couple. Who will take care of the cats if we get hurt? Can we get home soon enough so our family can visit? We asked ourselves these questions as we prepared to ski in Bulgaria, explore Tanzania, and adventure in Alaska.
This is the place Midgetour top-rated global membership program for air medical transportation and travel security. For savvy travelers like us, the peace of mind they offer is worth more than any upgrade or amenities.
Why travelers need more than just insurance
We’ve all heard the advice: Don’t leave home without travel insurance. This is good advice, as it is the “cake” that covers you. The insurance pays your medical bills and gets you to the nearest acceptable hospital if you become injured or sick.
But here’s the problem: the nearest hospital isn’t always where you want to be. Imagine being hospitalized in a small town in South America, Eastern Europe, or even rural Alaska. Doctors may be competent, but you would prefer to be treated in a hospital at home, surrounded by family, with specialists you know and trust.
That’s “the icing and sprinkles,” Medjet adds. If you are in a hospital 150 miles or more from home, they will arrange and pay for bedside-to-bedside medical transportation to the hospital Your choice In your home country. There’s no proof of “medical necessity” (the clause on most travel insurance policies that can leave you stranded where you are…), no claim forms, and no hidden fees. Just being able to recover where you want to be.
How does Midget work?
Medjet was the first company in the United States to offer this type of medical air transportation membership. Today, they remain industry leaders, trusted by travel professionals, celebrities, athletes, and organizations like AARP and Morgan Stanley.
Here are the basics:
- Eligibility: Residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico can join.
- Global reach: Coverage is global – whether you’re skiing in Utah, trekking in Nepal, or on safari in Tanzania. Exceptions are countries considered Level 4 (Do Not Travel) by the US State Department.
- Choose a hospital:You can choose any Hospital in your country. If your local facility cannot treat your injury or illness, you may choose a nationally recognized center of excellence such as Mayo Clinic.
- It costs: Short-term membership starts at $99 for an 8-day trip. Annual membership is surprisingly affordable: $315 for individuals or $425 for families (two adults and up to five children) for MedjetAssist. For extended benefits, MedjetHorizon starts at $474 per person / $614 per family.
- Registration: Under 75, you can register almost instantly online or by phone. People over 75 require a short health questionnaire, so plan ahead.
Unlike insurance, Medjet has no pre-existing conditional exclusions for members under 75, no exclusions for adventure travel (yes, even diving, skiing, or climbing), and no claims forms to deal with.
MedjetAssist vs. MedjetHorizon
Medjet offers two levels of membership, depending on your needs.
MedjetAssist
This is the Classic Membership that saves and pays for medical transportation from one hospital to another if you are in the hospital while traveling more than 150 miles from home. It’s the essential service that gets you where you really want to be: your chosen hospital at home.
Medgathorizon
For travelers who want more comprehensive protection, Horizon adds global travel security and crisis response. Members have 24/7 access to a global security network and in-country response teams for threats such as:
- Natural disasters
- Political unrest and terrorism
- Violent crime or wrongful detention
- Kidnapping for ransom, blackmail or extortion
- Fears of kidnapping and epidemic
The best part? You do not need to wait for government advice or evacuation orders. If you feel unsafe, MedjetHorizon can intervene.
Real world scenarios
Let’s put this in perspective.
Scenario 1: Broken leg outside
- You’re hiking in the Alps, slip on a cliff, and break your leg. Your travel insurance takes you to a regional hospital in Austria. But you want to have surgery and recover near family in Chicago. Medjet steps in to arrange medical transportation all the way back to the hospital in your home – at no additional cost beyond your membership.
Scenario 2: Serious illness on the road
- You are on a business trip in India and experience serious complications that require hospitalization. Instead of staying out for weeks, Medjet brings you home to the hospital and doctors you already know and trust.
Scenario 3: Political unrest
- You are vacationing in a country where violent demonstrations suddenly break out. With MedjetHorizon, you have access to a crisis response team that can help you get to safety before the situation gets worse.
For frequent travelers—or even those who only take one big trip a year—these scenarios aren’t too far-fetched. When it does, you’ll be glad you prepared.
Why we recommend Medjet
As adventurous travelers, we’ve skied the hills of Utah, trekked the glaciers of Alaska, and scuba dived in the backwaters. We also know that no matter how careful or fit you are, accidents and illnesses can happen anywhere.
For us, the reassurance we feel knowing that Medjet can get us home if something goes wrong is invaluable. It’s not about fear, it’s about intelligence. The cost is a fraction of what a single private medical transport can handle (often tens of thousands of dollars), and the peace of mind is priceless.
That’s why hundreds of top travel writers, editors, and adventurers alike rely on Medjet protection. It’s a membership designed for people who take travel seriously and don’t want to leave safety to chance.
Final thoughts
We believe that travel should be about discovery, fun and adventure, not worrying about what happens if you arrive at the wrong hospital. Travel insurance is essential, but Medjet takes your protection one step further, giving you the freedom to recover where you want: at home.
Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a global expedition, Medjet may be one of the smartest memberships you can invest in as a traveler. Because the truth is that accidents and illnesses are not prevented, but you can.
Don’t get stuck in a foreign hospital. Register with Medjet before you go.
Hello! We are Jane and Ed Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
