Medical Assistance Abroad
One of the most frequent questions asked is how does the medical assistance work, when you travel abroad and have purchased travel insurance.
When purchasing a policy, you are given an emergency assistance telephone number, which should be called in the event of a serious illness or accident which may lead to in-patient hospital treatment. This number should also be called if you need to arrange repatriation or curtailment (cutting short your trip) which may necessitate your early return home.
This service is available 24/7 and every day of the year.
In the case of an AXA travel insurance policy, you are connected to the nearest AXA Assistance office, rather than an expensive call back to the UK.
One service that JS Insurance offers is an text message to your mobile, with your travel insurance policy number and the Emergency Assistance Service number, so you have a quick reference if you need to call them.
The service is there to offer assistance, advice, making arrangements for hospital admission, repatriation and authorisation of medical expenses.
If for some reason you are unable to contact the emergency assistance company due to the fact that the condition requires immediate emergency treatment, you should contact them as soon as possible after the treatment has taken place or get someone to call them for you.
Private medical treatment is not covered unless authorised specifically by the Emeregency Assistance Service beforehand.
Any treatment which would be considered out patient, for example over the counter medication and doctor appointments outside of a hospital or clinic, these expenses should be claimed after you have returned to the UK. One note of warning, be careful not to sign for excessive treatment or charges, if in doubt, always contact the Emergency Assistance Service before signing any forms or agreements.
Any reciepts and health claim forms should be submitted to the Claims Department at this time, to have the money reimbursed to you.
The Emergency Assistance Service has the medical expertise, contacts and facilities to help you if you are injured or taken ill.
If you are admitted to a hospital or clinic whist abroad, the Emergency Assistance Service will arrange payment for you for medical treatment.