I was climbing in Pakistan. I got High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). I needed to get down NOW. I triggered my Global Rescue device. They coordinated a helicopter from the mountain to Skardu. A week later, I met a guy who had standard insurance; he had to walk down to the nearest village because his insurance only covered “Hospital to Hospital” transfer.
Key Takeaways
- Field Rescue (Point of Injury): This gets you from the accident site (mountain, jungle, road) to the first hospital. Only memberships like Global Rescue or Garmin SAR cover this reliably.
- Hospital-to-Hospital: Standard travel insurance (and Medjet) only starts working after you are admitted to a hospital. If you can’t get to the hospital, they can’t help you.
- Choice of Destination:
- Global Rescue: Takes you to the “Nearest Center of Excellence” (medical necessity).
- Medjet: Takes you to the “Hospital of Your Choice” (home), but only after you are hospitalized.
- The Gap: You often need BOTH. Global Rescue to get off the mountain, Medjet to get back to the USA.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “The First Mile.”
Air ambulances (Jets) need runways. They cannot land on K2.
Helicopters (SAR) can land on K2.
Travel insurance pays for the Jet. It rarely pays for the Helicopter search/rescue unless specifically stated.
- The Crisis: You are dying on the mountain, and the insurance operator asks, “What is the address of the hospital you are at?”
The Investigation: I Called Them
- Global Rescue: “We deploy assets to the point of injury. We coordinate the helicopter or ground team to get you to safety.”
- Medjet: “We are a hospital-to-hospital transfer service. You must be an inpatient at a hospital >150 miles from home before we activate.”
- World Nomads (Explorer): Covers “Search and Rescue” up to a limit ($25k). This pays for the helicopter, but you have to find one and pay upfront usually.
Comparison Table: The Rescue Stack
| Feature | Global Rescue / Garmin SAR | Standard Insurance | Medjet |
| From Mountain to Clinic | YES | NO (Search limit) | NO |
| From Clinic to Major Hospital | YES | YES (Nearest) | YES (Nearest) |
| From Major Hospital to Home | YES (If medically necessary) | NO (Unless nec.) | YES (Your Choice) |
[IMAGE: Diagram showing ‘Point of Injury’ -> ‘Local Clinic’ -> ‘Home Hospital’. Global Rescue covers the first leg. Medjet covers the last leg.]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- The “Stack” Strategy: For remote trips, buy Global Rescue (for the field) AND Medjet (for the flight home). It costs ~$700 total but covers every mile.
- Activate SOS Device: Use a Garmin inReach or Zoleo. Insurance needs coordinates.
- Check “Search” Limits: Ensure your policy has at least $25,000 for Search and Rescue. Helicopter hours are expensive.
- Register: Tell Global Rescue your itinerary. If they know where you are, they come faster.
FAQ
Does Global Rescue pay my medical bills?
No. They are logistics/transport only. You still need health insurance.
Can Medjet pick me up at a clinic?
Usually no. You must be an “Inpatient” (admitted overnight). An ER visit doesn’t count.
What if I’m not injured, just lost?
Global Rescue/SAR covers rescue. Medical insurance does not (no “injury”).