What Is Medical Repatriation: Process, Cost, and How To Pay

Imagine you’re relaxing on a beach vacation in Bali when you accidentally slip and injure your back. After a visit to the local hospital, doctors confirm that you need surgery and ongoing physical therapy that can only be managed back in the U.S. 

With limited resources available locally for your recovery, you must arrange for medical repatriation to return home safely. 

The cost of medical repatriation can reach up to $500,000, depending on your travel destination and the specifics of your medical situation. Using travel assistance or similar protection plans helps you manage these potentially high costs while traveling.

Understanding how medical repatriation works and exploring your options to cover air ambulance costs and other related expenses can offer peace of mind in the event of an unexpected health emergency while traveling. Here’s what you need to know to stay prepared and protect yourself during your travels.

Medical repatriation services and meaning

Medical repatriation occurs when an ill or injured inpatient is transported from a hospital to their home country for ongoing care. To return home, medical professionals must deem a patient medically stable. It is necessary when a patient requires transfer from an inadequate medical facility or needs to be moved to a recovery facility after stabilization.

Medical repatriation services can include: 

• Qualified medical professionals accompany patients to monitor and manage their condition throughout the journey home.

• Effective coordination between medical teams at both locations to ensure seamless patient care throughout their journey.
• The patient is transported via air ambulance or medically equipped commercial flights, ensuring safe delivery to the appropriate medical facility when commercial travel is not feasible. 

How does medical repatriation work? 

If an injury or accident occurs during a trip, medical repatriation helps facilitate your return home, allowing you to continue receiving the necessary medical care. 

Here’s how the process works:

1. Assessment of your condition: Medical professionals evaluate your health and determine if you’re stable enough to travel. Depending on the situation, arrangements are made for a medical escort or air ambulance.
2. Coordination between healthcare providers: Medical teams at the location of the incident and your home country collaborate through a care coordinator to transfer your medical records and prepare the receiving healthcare facility for your arrival.
3. Arranging transport: Depending on your condition, transportation is arranged via a medical escort on a commercial flight, air ambulance, or ground transport to ensure a safe and efficient transfer. In the case of a death abroad, similar transport arrangements are made for repatriation.
4. Care during transport: Qualified medical professionals accompany you to monitor your condition, provide treatment, and address any issues that may arise during the journey home.
5. Arrival and transfer to local care: Upon arrival at your destination, the medical team smoothly transfers you to a hospital or healthcare facility where you can continue your recovery or treatment.

Medical repatriation challenges

Depending on your travel destination, obtaining the right medical services when an illness or injury occurs may be a complicated and frustrating process. Factors such as insurance coverage limitations, language barriers, and limited healthcare infrastructure can all impact access to the care you need.

Navigating healthcare systems is already a complex process when you understand the language and cultural norms. It becomes increasingly difficult to do so in a foreign language or while in the middle of a medical emergency. Medical staff may not speak your language, leading to misunderstandings about your condition or treatment options.

Using a medical assistance plan streamlines the medical repatriation process by providing upfront assistance with travel arrangements, handling legal and administrative hurdles of foreign legal systems, and arranging transport for family members to join you. This allows you to focus on your recovery rather than the logistical complexities.

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How much does medical repatriation cost?

Medical repatriation can cost between $5,000 and $500,000.The cost of medical repatriation is influenced by a few factors, including:

• Distance: How far is the distance between where you are traveling and your home country? International medical repatriation will be higher than domestic medical transport.
• Type of transport: Do you require an air ambulance or medical escort on a commercial flight? 

• Health status: How severe is your illness/injury, and are your medical needs urgent?
• Coverage: Are you paying out of pocket for all related costs, or do you have some form of protection, from travel assistance to travel insurance? 

The price of medical repatriation is heavily influenced by distance and fluctuates depending on your location. The average prices for medical repatriation by region are: 

• Caribbean and Mexico: $15,000 to $25,000
• South America: $40,000 to $75,000
• Parts of Europe: $65,000 to $90,000
• Asia, Australia, and the Middle East: $165,000 to $225,000

While distance is a key indicator of medical repatriation costs, other factors—like the severity of your condition and the type of transport needed— also impact the total price.

How to pay for medical repatriation 

Medical repatriation costs can add up quickly, but there are different ways to cover the expenses. Between travel insurance, medical assistance programs, or out-of-pocket options, understanding your choices is key to ensuring you’re prepared in the event of an emergency. Here’s a breakdown of payment options:

Travel assistance membership 

Travel assistance is often structured as a yearly membership plan, which covers a range of services, including medical repatriation. Unlike traditional insurance, travel assistance focuses on real-time support during your trips, helping to manage emergencies as they arise. 

The costs of medical repatriation are typically covered by yearly membership fees, minimizing unexpected out-of-pocket expenses during emergencies.

Travel insurance  

Many travel insurance policies cover medical repatriation if you become seriously ill or injured while abroad. Always verify that medical repatriation is included in your policy before you travel. 

Depending on the plan, you may need to pay out-of-pocket for related costs upfront and then get reimbursed afterward.

Medical insurance  

Most U.S. health insurance plans offer limited or no coverage for international travel. If your plan does extend internationally, it would likely only cover medical expenses, leaving you to pay out-of-pocket for additional costs such as flights home or repatriation services. 

Be sure to check the specifics of your plan before traveling abroad.

Out-of-pocket 

If other options aren’t available, paying out of pocket for medical repatriation may be necessary. This can be the most expensive and time-consuming option, as you’ll have to manage care coordination, medical visas, transportation, and flights for family members. 

While some companies offer financing, the costs and complexities can be overwhelming. 

U.S. government repatriation program 

The U.S. government offers a repatriation program to assist American citizens who are unable to afford the costs of returning home due to illness or injury while abroad. This program provides financial assistance for transportation back to the U.S., though repayment is typically required. 

It is available through the U.S. Department of State and is often used when no other options are available to cover repatriation expenses.

Medical repatriation can be a costly process, but an EA+ membership may help reduce out-of-pocket expenses and make the journey home more manageable.

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Discover how EA+ supports medical repatriation

Medical emergencies during travel are inconvenient, expensive, and may involve complex coordination challenges. Finding the right partner to manage repatriation logistics like long-distance medical transport will ensure a smoother, more efficient experience during a stressful time.

Emergency Assistance Plus® (EA+®) offers specialized travel plans that protect you from the financial costs of medical repatriation while efficiently managing the medical and logistical aspects, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

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FAQ

Who is eligible for medical repatriation? 

To be eligible for medical repatriation, a hospitalized patient must be deemed medically stable to travel by medical professionals and secure arrangements home on an air ambulance or commercial flight with a medical escort.

Is medical repatriation covered by insurance?  

Medical repatriation is not typically covered by U.S. medical insurance, but many travel insurance policies do cover it. Always review your insurance policy before a trip to ensure medical repatriation is included and meets your needs.

What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?  

Medical evacuation and repatriation both involve transporting a patient due to medical emergencies, but they differ in purpose and scope. Medical evacuation occurs when a patient is unstable and requires urgent transport to a medical facility for immediate care. 

Medical repatriation is used when a patient is stable but needs assistance returning to their home country for ongoing care or recovery. Medical evacuation costs tend to be higher due to the urgency and immediate nature of the transport.

How much does it cost to medically evacuate from overseas?  

The cost of medical evacuation from overseas to the U.S. varies widely depending on factors like the patient’s condition, the distance to be traveled, and the type of transport required. On average, medical evacuation can range from $25,000 to $100,000 or more.