air evacuation insurance - which company?

Definitely ask them where they fly you- I believe both take you to the nearest hospital that has the care you require, usually meaning Puerto Rico. And as we have more programs here everyday, I suspect there are even fewer reasons for them to fly you out. Most people believe they get a flight whenever and wherever they want one, and that isn't the case.

MASA flies you to the nearest treatment center which can accomodate you - i.e if you are a burn victim they will take you to Houston for treatment. Caveat - if you need to be stablized they will fly you to Puerto Rico for that then on to whatever treatment center can accomodate your illness/injury. MASA will also fly you back after your treatment. You can have a spouse or designated caregiver fly with you if there is room in the transport or they will be given an airline ticket to meet you at your destination. They will also fly your remains to your designated location should that become necessary. MASA is old time here and works well throughout the Caribbean. They do not have ground transport so you must be able to get to the airport unaided.

SkyMed is relatively new. I have only information from EMT's who applied for work with them and that is hearsay only.

do you have web sites for any of these companies?

Thnaks in advance

bjm

Thanks for the info Pamela, I didn't know that SkyMed was new. Also hadn't heard that MASA doesn't have ground transport.

Anyone else know anything more?

bjm, websites:

http://www.medairservices.com/home.php - MASA

http://www.skymed.com/index.cfm?pg=bye - Skymed

There was an ad in the Daily News Thursday for Sky Med. It says: "Working with Pavia Health when off island health care is required. Guaranteed transportation to Florida when hospital accomodation unavailable in Puerto Rico." It also gives phone numbers to organize a Sky Med presentation:
St Thomas- Aaron Mitchell: 777-3270
St croix- Linda Bruton 713-9991

Oh yeah, I talked to SkyMed and they said they have a contract w/ Pavia so almost all their flights go there - about 85%.
For MASA about 65% go to PR, but who knows which hospital.

Okay, I was talking to someone who has Skymed for around $220 a year. Saw the ad about Pavia and called the 800 number on the Skymed card. The rep in the states said that for the basic price you get to go to Pavia, but for an additional $400 a year you can go "anywhere." Also, the word is that you go to Centro Medico for MASA, although, I would think once they got you to PR it would depend which hospital accepted you??

Again, you have to ask questions before you plunk down your money.

Is Centro Medico not a good place to end up, East Ender?

And Yes, both SkyMed and MASA have told me that it depends on what hospital has space. SkyMed has more flights that go to PR b/c of their deal w/ Pavia. Whereas MASA sends more people to FL since they don't have as many beds for them in PR hospitals.

I knew a lady who went for vascular surgery. Her doctor spoke English, but no one else. Kinda hard to communicate with your nurse or housekeeping staff, etc. 🙁

Is Pavia a good place to end up?
I found quality reports for Pavia but not Centro Medico

Hmm, what are quality reports??

I really don't know anything about Pavia. They are doing a lot of marketing though, and the deal with Sky Med is part of it. IMHO, pay the extra $400 a year and go to the hospital of your choice.

http://www.jcaho.org/quality+check/index.htm has quality reports on health care facilities.

Okay, I think Centro Medical is listed under "Adults Hospital" when you select all hospitals in PR. It is accredited, evidently.