Gen Z has a passion for international travel, and that includes studying abroad. But when it comes to making plans, they have one major worry – their personal safety and security. It’s a valid concern, as high school and college students are at higher risk of accidents and injuries while traveling.
The reason is simple: their age. Risk-taking tends to peak in adolescence and early adulthood. In addition, students may make riskier decisions as they grow more comfortable in a new environment. When they drop their guard, they may come into contact with more food-borne illnesses, accidents from being inattentive, and blood-borne pathogens from new tattoos and piercings.
If those accidents or illnesses can’t be treated where they are traveling or studying, then medical transportation may be required to get them appropriate care, whether that’s in another country or back home in the United States. Knowing about the services SentinelMED can provide can reassure nervous travelers – and their parents – that quality, long-distance medical transport is available. And if students or their parents select the right travel insurance, that service is likely covered.
How SentinelMED can help with medical transportation for students studying abroad
Long-distance medical transports can be very costly and may not be covered under a student's or their parents' regular medical insurance. For that reason, most colleges recommend that students purchase travel medical insurance while studying abroad.
SentinelMED works closely with travel insurance companies to provide full-service medical transportation. Here’s a look at what’s typically involved in a medical transport:
Medical case management. Some travel insurance policies include medical case management, and SentinelMED often works with travel insurance companies to provide this service. Our medical professionals review patients’ medical records and the level of care available at their location, then determine if they should be transported to receive appropriate care. If medical transport is needed, our team can determine when patients can be safely transported and coordinate all travel logistics.
In addition, many of our medical professionals are bilingual; languages spoken include English, Spanish, French, and German. Oftentimes, they can communicate directly with medical professionals in their preferred language and without relying on the availability of medical translators.
Transportation and logistics coordination. Our logistics team will work with our medical providers to determine the most appropriate form of transport. Our logistics team will then make all travel arrangements, including obtaining medical clearances, travel documents, prescriptions, and equipment needed for travel.
In many cases, SentinelMED can coordinate transport on commercial airlines. Using a combination of ground ambulances and commercial airlines is often the quickest and safest way to transport a patient long distances.
Medical escort assignment (if needed). SentinelMED’s medical escorts travel with patients to provide medical care as needed, including administering oxygen and medication. Our medical escorts are physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses who are experienced or trained in emergency and travel medicine.
Ongoing communication. Our team communicates regularly with the medical professionals who are treating the patient, the travel insurance provider, and the patient's regular medical providers and family to coordinate care and keep everyone informed of treatment and transport plans.
SentinelMED can also provide long-distance medical transport to people who don't have travel insurance. However, long-distance medical transport without insurance can be costly.
About SentinelMED
SentinelMED offers medical transport, medical repatriation, and medical escort services to people who need assistance to travel long distances. The SentinelMED team is skilled at arranging transport for patients anywhere in the world. Our logistics professionals work closely with hospital case managers, patients, their families, and travel insurance companies to provide safe and comfortable door-to-door medical transportation.
At SentinelMED, we understand the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
