Picture this: You break your leg hiking in a remote part of Peru, and the nearest hospital equipped to treat you is a $50,000 helicopter ride away. That’s what emergency medical evacuation insurance is built to cover, so you don’t have to.
It’s also one of the most misunderstood parts of a travel insurance policy. It’s often confused with travel medical insurance or skipped entirely because travelers assume their health insurance has them covered abroad (it usually doesn’t).
Here, we’ll break down what medical evacuation insurance actually is, what it covers, how much it costs, and how it’s different from travel medical insurance, so you can decide whether it’s worth adding to your next policy.
Key takeaways
- Medical evacuation insurance pays for emergency transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility when you get seriously sick or injured on a trip.
- It’s not the same as travel medical insurance. Medical evacuation gets you to care, while travel medical pays for emergency care once you’re at a facility.
- Medical evacuation costs range from $25,000 within North America to more than $250,000 from remote or distant locations, according to the CDC Yellow Book.
What is medical evacuation insurance?
Medical evacuation insurance covers the cost of getting you to the nearest medical facility that’s equipped to treat you. It may also pay to transport you back home or to your hospital of choice.
If you get sick or injured somewhere without adequate local care, this coverage may include air or helicopter evacuation, ground ambulance, or specialized medical transport, all coordinated by the plan’s assistance company in the event of a serious illness or injury.
You can buy emergency medical insurance as a standalone policy, or as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan.
What does medical evacuation insurance cover?
Coverage varies widely by plan, so it’s a good idea to read the policy certificate for any plan you’re considering.
Here are some things emergency medical evacuation may cover:
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- Emergency transport to the nearest adequate medical facility. This applies when local care is inadequate, and a physician certifies that evacuation is medically necessary. Once you have approval from your plan’s medical team, an assistance company coordinates the logistics of your medical transportation.
- Return transportation. Once you’re stable, the policy may reimburse your flight home, with a medical escort if you can’t travel unassisted.
- Hospital of choice. If you need continued care, some plans let you choose where you’re treated (for example, a specific hospital in the U.S., or a facility near your home).
- Repatriation of remains. In the event of death during a trip, this may cover preparation (embalming or cremation) and transportation of remains home.
- Transportation of children. If you need to stay in a hospital beyond a set number of days (often three to seven), some plans will cover the cost of getting children traveling with you home.
- Bedside visit transportation. Some policies will reimburse a companion’s round-trip ticket to fly to your bedside while you receive treatment.
Almost every policy requires prior authorization for medical evacuation. You or someone on your behalf needs to contact the insurer’s assistance line before the evacuation occurs for it to be covered.
Your plan will also list exclusions. Common exclusions include transport you take against medical advice, injuries from high-risk activities that aren’t covered by your policy, and pre-existing medical conditions (unless you have a waiver).
Tip: If your trip includes extreme sports or other high-risk activities, compare adventure travel insurance policies on our sister site, SOVENTURE, to ensure your plans are covered.
How much does emergency evacuation actually cost?
According to the U.S. Department of State, medical evacuation by air ambulance back to the United States can cost $20,000 to $200,000, depending on where you are and your medical condition.
Similarly, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports that a typical 52-mile air-ambulance trip costs $12,000 to $25,000, while noting that medical evacuation from abroad can reach six figures.
Costs can vary significantly depending on the type of aircraft, distance, your specific medical needs, location, and other factors.
How much coverage do you need?
Policy limits for this benefit vary widely — generally from around $150,000 to $1 million. Here’s how much emergency medical evacuation coverage we recommend for various trip types.
| Trip type | Recommended emergency evacuation coverage |
| Domestic travel | $100,000+ |
| International travel | $250,000+ |
| Cruises, adventure travel, and remote destinations | $500,000+ |
Medical evacuation insurance vs. travel medical insurance: what’s the difference?
Emergency medical evacuation insurance pays for emergency transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility, but doesn’t cover your medical bills once you arrive. You need travel medical coverage for that.
Travel medical insurance covers your hospital stay, doctor visits, X-rays, labs, surgery, and prescription medication, up to your policy limit.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State encourage you to buy both travel medical and emergency evacuation insurance when traveling abroad. Fortunately, most comprehensive travel insurance policies include both benefits, so you don’t have to buy two separate plans.
| Feature | Medical evacuation insurance | Travel medical insurance |
| What it covers | Transportation to adequate care, and possibly to return home | Doctor visits, hospital stays, medication, tests/imaging |
| Coverage limit | $150,000 to $1 million, depending on the plan | $50,000 to $500,000+, depending on the plan |
| When you’re covered | Physician deems it medically necessary, and insurer’s medical team agrees | You seek care for a covered illness or injury during your trip |
| Pre-authorization | Almost always required | Sometimes required |
| Repatriation of remains | Often covered | Not covered |
| How it’s sold | Standalone policy or part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan | Standalone policy or part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan |
InsureMyTrip tip: Comprehensive travel insurance bundles coverage for emergency medical evacuation and travel medical, along with benefits such as trip cancellation, travel delay, and trip interruption. When comparing plans, look at the maximum limits for each coverage type.
Who needs medical evacuation insurance for international travel?
You should consider emergency medical evacuation coverage if:
- You’re traveling to a country with limited or lower-quality medical infrastructure
- You’re going on a cruise, safari, or trip to a remote area far from major hospitals
- You plan to hike, dive, ski, or take part in other higher-risk activities (just make sure the activities are covered by the policy you buy)
- You’re older or living with a chronic health condition
- Your health insurance at home doesn’t cover you internationally (which is true for many commercial U.S. plans and Medicare)
So, is medical evacuation insurance worth it?
For most international trips, yes. A policy with emergency medical evacuation coverage costs a fraction of what an actual evacuation would cost.
You might also consider it for domestic trips, especially if you’re headed off the beaten path. Give your health insurance provider a call to see what coverage you have for emergency medical evacuations within the U.S.
Use our quote tool to compare policies side by side and find one with the right amount of coverage for your next trip.
Frequently asked questions
Does travel insurance automatically include medical evacuation?
Not always. Basic trip cancellation plans often skip it entirely. Comprehensive travel medical insurance policies typically include it, but coverage amounts vary widely.
Does Medicare cover medical evacuation abroad?
No. Medicare generally does not cover healthcare or medical transport outside the United States, which is a good reason to consider emergency evacuation insurance for your next trip.
How do I file a claim for medical evacuation?
Call your insurer’s emergency assistance line as soon as possible (ideally before the evacuation). A physician needs to certify that the evacuation is medically necessary, and the insurer’s assistance provider typically arranges and pre-approves the transport directly.
Can I buy medical evacuation insurance for a single trip?
Yes. You can buy it as part of a single-trip travel insurance policy, or as a standalone emergency evacuation insurance plan.
What is not covered by medical evacuation insurance?
It typically excludes evacuations taken against medical advice, injuries from excluded high-risk activities (unless you add a sports rider), and pre-existing conditions (unless you qualify for a waiver). It also won’t reimburse treatment costs, since those fall under travel medical insurance.
