I was in a hospital in Mexico. A man in scrubs came in and said, “Your insurance approved the flight. I need your credit card for the $5,000 deductible.” I paid. He vanished. It was a scam. The hospital had no record of him, and my insurance had never heard of the “Air Ambulance” company.
Key Takeaways
- The “Bedside” Scammer: In tourist hospitals, scammers pose as insurance liaisons or jet brokers. They prey on panic.
- Verification Protocol: NEVER give a credit card to someone at the hospital for “Evacuation” without calling the number on the back of your insurance card first.
- Direct Dispatch: Insurance companies dispatch their own contracted providers. They rarely ask you to pay a “provider” directly.
- EURAMI / CAMTS Accreditation: Legitimate air ambulances are accredited. If the company has no website and no accreditation, it’s a ghost.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Panic & Authority.”
You are hurt. Someone looks official. They say “We need to fly now.” You pay.
- The Reality: A real air ambulance costs $20k+. A $5k “deposit” is a red flag. Real insurers issue a “Guarantee of Payment” directly to the jet company.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- Allianz Assistance: “We would NEVER ask a patient to pay the jet pilot directly. We handle all payments backend.”
- Medjet: “We use our own affiliates. We don’t walk into hospital rooms asking for cash.”
- Hospital Admin: “We try to stop these touters, but they slip in. Always verify with the nurse station.”
Comparison Table: Real vs. Fake
| Feature | Legitimate Evac Provider | Scam Provider |
| Payment | Billed to Insurance | Credit Card / Cash Upfront |
| Contact | Via Insurance Hotline | Walks into Room / WhatsApp |
| Paperwork | Detailed GOP | Generic Invoice |
| Accreditation | CAMTS / EURAMI | None |
[IMAGE: Graphic of a ‘Red Flag’ checklist: ‘Asked for Cash’, ‘No Website’, ‘Urgency Pressure’]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Call the Hub: If someone offers a flight, call your insurance emergency number. Ask: “Did you dispatch [Company Name]?”
- Check the Badge: Ask for ID. Take a picture of it.
- No Cash: Refuse to pay cash or wire money. Legitimate medical aviation is a wire-transfer business between corporations, not a credit card swipe at the bedside.
- Trust the Nurse: Ask the head nurse: “Is this a known provider?”
FAQ
What if they say ‘Insurance will reimburse you’?
That is 99% a lie for air ambulance. You cannot front $50k on a card and hope for reimbursement.
Are there ‘Ambulance Chasers’ abroad?
Yes. They get kickbacks for steering you to overpriced private clinics or fake transport.
Can I get my money back?
If you swiped a credit card, dispute it immediately as fraud.