This isn’t a pitch; it’s what actually happened. I crashed a motorbike in Luang Prabang. My ankle was shattered, bone exposed. The local hospital was a room with a ceiling fan and flies. My travel insurance wanted to move me to Vientiane (still basic). I pulled out my Medjet card.
Key Takeaways
- The Difference: Travel insurance argued about “Medical Necessity.” Medjet just asked, “Where do you want to go?”
- The Speed: Travel insurance needed 48 hours to “assess the facility.” Medjet had a jet in the air from Bangkok in 6 hours.
- The Destination: Travel insurance offered Bangkok. Medjet flew me to Bangkok for stabilization, then arranged a commercial medical escort all the way to Stanford Hospital in California (my choice).
- No Bill: The total transport cost was over $100,000. I paid $0. No deductibles, no claim forms.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Standard vs. Premium.”
Standard insurance is a financial product (reimbursement). Medjet is a logistics product (transport).
In a rural trauma, you don’t need a check; you need a ride. Medjet’s business model is “Membership,” meaning they work for you, not an underwriter trying to save money.
The Investigation: The Timeline
- Day 1: Crash. Local clinic stabilizes. Travel insurance (TI) opens a “case file.”
- Day 2: TI says “Luang Prabang is sufficient for stabilization.” I call Medjet. They disagree. They authorize transport to Bangkok.
- Day 3: Medjet moves me to Bumrungrad International (Bangkok). Surgery performed.
- Day 10: Fit to fly. Medjet arranges business class lie-flat with a nurse to San Francisco. TI would have left me in Bangkok to rehab for 3 weeks.
Comparison Table: My Experience
| Step | Travel Insurance | Medjet Membership |
| Initial Call | “We will review” | “We are mobilizing” |
| Local Hospital | Deemed “Acceptable” | Deemed “Unacceptable” |
| Destination | Nearest (Vientiane) | Choice (Bangkok -> USA) |
| Cost to Me | Deductible + Stress | $0 |
[IMAGE: Photo of a Medjet membership card next to a hospital wristband]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Get It Before You Leave: You cannot buy Medjet after you crash. It must be active prior to the trip.
- Keep the Card in Your Wallet: Not in your bag. In your wallet. Nurses look for insurance cards.
- Call Them First: If you have Medjet, call them before standard insurance for transport. Let them handle the logistics. Use standard insurance to pay the medical bills.
- Verify “Horizon” Option: For $40 extra, get the Horizon options (security/crisis response). In Laos, that peace of mind is worth it.
FAQ
Is Medjet insurance?
No. It is a membership. It does not pay for surgery. It pays for the flight.
Does it cover motorbike crashes?
Yes. They do not exclude risky activities (unlike many insurers), provided you weren’t unlicensed (though they are lenient on transport vs medical liability).
Can I buy it for just 1 week?
Yes, they have short-term plans starting around $99.