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Flying Nurses International recently attended the CMSA (Case Managers Society of America) conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Case managers from hospitals and facilities all over the country attend the conference’s vendor fair to learn about services and products to make the lives of their patients better, and the Flying Nurses International booth is always a popular stopping place. We take the pressure off case managers, when they have a patient that needs to be sent home or to a different facility by air, by dealing with every aspect of the move bedside to bedside. FNI was well represented by our COO, Dana Erskine-Pando (pictured) and Darrin Pscion. In the picture is the winner of our giveaway, Ms. Faith Holland, Director of Clinical Operations and Case Management at Kaiser of Renton, Washington. She won a pair of BlackWeb wireless over-ear noise cancelling headphones, which are always coveted for the ride home on the plane!! Congratulations, Faith!

Flying Nurses International Attended ACMA Seattle Conference

Flying Nurses International attended the recent American Case Management Association National Conference in Seattle, Washington.  The conference draws case managers from hundreds of hospitals and other facilities all over the country.  Case managers call on us when they have a patient who needs medical support on a trip home, or to another hospital, rehabilitation center, or wherever they need to go.  It was great to see old friends and to make new ones.  Our door prize, a set of noise canceling headphones, was won by Mitra T., a hard-working case manager from Connecticut.  She was quite happy to have them for the long trip back home.

It’s a family’s worst nightmare. A loved one is injured or sick, and far from home. Whether they are across the country, or across the world, getting a critical patient home can be a difficult and expensive task. Unfortunately, many travelers do not get the coverage that they need in case of illness or injury while outside of their health insurance network. Even young and healthy people, as well as experienced travelers, can be victims of violent crime, accidents, unforeseen medical conditions presenting, and contagious disease. The cost of a medical evacuation with a critical care nurse and a specialist team can run as much as $250,000. It’s like saying an experienced driver can go without auto insurance because nothing has ever happened to them on the road before now.

No Insurance – No Entry

Medical expenses are enough of the concern that some countries are not allowing travelers to enter or refusing to issue visas unless the traveler can show proof of health insurance. Here are some of the countries who may turn you away if you decide to go without insurance.

1. Cuba. All visitors entering the country are required to produce proof of medical insurance. While it is possible to buy coverage within the country, the premiums are higher, and there will be gaps in coverage.
2. The United Arab Emirates. All travelers needing visas are required to have proof of Traveler’s medical insurance, and this is regardless of age. Additionally, expatriates and foreign workers must produce evidence of coverage when renewing their visas.
3. Antarctica. While it is not its own country, due to its remote location, Antarctica tour operators require that passengers produce proof of insurance before tickets are issued.
4. Qatar. A large number of expatriate residence relying on state air convinced Qatar to control learning health costs by requiring proof of insurance in order to obtain a visa. Private companies employing foreign nationals in Qatar are required to provide health insurance.
5. Turkey. All foreigners and expatriates under 65 years of age must carry health insurance with a minimum of 2000 Turkish lira in coverage.
6. The United States of America. While health insurance coverage for foreign nationals is not mandatory, the cost of medical care in the United States is high enough that even the young and healthy should not risk going without coverage.
7. Schengen Treaty countries. The 26 European countries covered under the Schengen Treaty of 1965 require that foreign visitors carry proof of insurance that will cover any medical costs, as well as expenses incurred for evacuation and repatriation.

What Does Traveler’s Medical Insurance Cover?

Prices and coverage vary just as with your regular medical insurance. You’ll have to read the fine print very carefully to make sure that you have enough coverage to get you home safely and without burying yourself in debt for medical services such as a critical care nurse on your evac flight. Deal only with reputable companies that have a proven track record.

When Mom and Dad are traveling, especially with medical issues or after an illness or surgery, it can worry even the most sanguine of their grown kids. With the holiday season approaching, it may be time to consider a few extra measures to keep them safe and comfortable while they are traveling. Conversely, you as a senior may be hearing from your adult kids about how they worry when you travel – much as you worried when they were younger. It can be a daunting role reversal, but some tips and tricks for seniors traveling can make everything a lot easier on both sides of the generation gap.

1. Trained medical assistance from a flight transport nurse can go a long way to making a flight safer and more comfortable for seniors. A flight transport nurse is a registered nurses who administer medical care while patients are being transported from Point A to Point B. This can be especially helpful to seniors with dementia, or who will require medicines and care en route.
2. Not many people know that a family member or caretaker can accompany an elderly traveler to the departure gate. The request for an escort pass needs to be made to the airline ahead of the travel date, and the escort must provide government issued ID, full name, and their birthdate.
3. Ask ahead of time. Asking ahead of time for helpful services such as wheelchairs or carts to and from the gate, special in-flight meals, seats with more legroom, and early boarding.
4. Medical conditions and disabilities. The TSA provides travelers with a card that they can fill out in order to properly advise screeners that they have medicines, devices, disabilities, and medical conditions. Screeners cannot force passengers to remove devices such as ostomy pouches, insulin pumps, back braces, or other devices. However, these devices are subject to extra screening.

Seniors don’t have to give up traveling but instead can make a few changes in order to do it comfortably. From a flight transport nurse to a curbside concierge to get them to the gate, there are many different options to make it easier to get where you’re going. Likewise, adult kids can rest assured that their parents are in the best of hands as they travel. Making these arrangements takes some forethought and time to accomplish, but the overall reduction in stress and worry is more than worth the price.

Flying Nurses International’s COO Dana Erskine-Pando and Mr. Darrin Pscion were vendor-attendees at the recent Aging Life Care Association’s, Florida Chapter,  Annual Conference, held at the Trade Winds Island Resort, St.Pete’s Beach, Florida.  They interacted with many dedicated professional care managers who specialize in assisting the geriatric population and their families in meeting long term care needs.  Flying Nurses International brings a valuable partnership to these passionate caregivers by offering their fragile clients the compassionate expert care they require when traveling by air.  Contact us anytime to discuss your aging loved one’s travel needs.  We are here to help!