I was working in Nigeria for an oil company when my wife developed Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Making a long story about arguing with the insurance company short, we air-ambulanced her to South Africa for medical care. It was great. The care was great, and after being in the hospital for about a week, her bill was the equivalent of ~$3,000 U…
I was working in Nigeria for an oil company when my wife developed Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Making a long story about arguing with the insurance company short, we air-ambulanced her to South Africa for medical care. It was great. The care was great, and after being in the hospital for about a week, her bill was the equivalent of ~$3,000 US.
One of the ironies is I wanted to take her to Europe. The insurance company argued, a jet to Europe would be almost $100k, the limits of the policy. There wouldn't be any money left for her care when she arrived.
Later, when I'm telling this story to Europeans, they laughingly said, "Why did you want to bring her to Europe? She got better care in South Africa. " And I see now, they were right.
I also had a medevac experience in South Africa (from East Africa) in 2018. Didn't need air-ambulance was stable enough for regular flight - there was a driver waiting at the airport to take me straight to hospital in Johannesburg (they thought I couldn't handle another ride to Pretoria). 2,5 days in hospital and then discharged until 5 days later when follow up appointments were scheduled. Total cost - $5k which I paid then passed onto insurance company for reimbursement.
Nurses were very caring and made me rooibos tea whenever I wanted it. My chart was old school paper chart, not electronic one. Main doctor in charge of me spent time to explain what's going on and what the next tests would be (CT, MRI). Phlebotomist was so gentle and even offered to do butterfly needle vs regular one for less pain given how many vials they were doing. Most importantly, I was listened to as a patient and not dismissed.
I was working in Nigeria for an oil company when my wife developed Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Making a long story about arguing with the insurance company short, we air-ambulanced her to South Africa for medical care. It was great. The care was great, and after being in the hospital for about a week, her bill was the equivalent of ~$3,000 US.
One of the ironies is I wanted to take her to Europe. The insurance company argued, a jet to Europe would be almost $100k, the limits of the policy. There wouldn't be any money left for her care when she arrived.
Later, when I'm telling this story to Europeans, they laughingly said, "Why did you want to bring her to Europe? She got better care in South Africa. " And I see now, they were right.
I also had a medevac experience in South Africa (from East Africa) in 2018. Didn't need air-ambulance was stable enough for regular flight - there was a driver waiting at the airport to take me straight to hospital in Johannesburg (they thought I couldn't handle another ride to Pretoria). 2,5 days in hospital and then discharged until 5 days later when follow up appointments were scheduled. Total cost - $5k which I paid then passed onto insurance company for reimbursement.
Nurses were very caring and made me rooibos tea whenever I wanted it. My chart was old school paper chart, not electronic one. Main doctor in charge of me spent time to explain what's going on and what the next tests would be (CT, MRI). Phlebotomist was so gentle and even offered to do butterfly needle vs regular one for less pain given how many vials they were doing. Most importantly, I was listened to as a patient and not dismissed.