| |
Transfer
Medical Repatriation Risk
Sponsors are responsible for all costs associated with medical
repatriation from Australia to the home country of the sponsored
person. Medical repatriation risks range from minor to catastrophic.
An upgrade to a business class seat to Singapore for someone
with an arm in plaster costs only a few hundred dollars.
A stretcher, two aero-medical specialists and two nurses for
a comatose patient returning to Europe costs over $250,000.
Airlines now insist on medical escorts for many more medical
repatriations, as cabin staff are just too busy to assist with
meals and toilet visits.
The decision to send a medical escort rests with the airline
doctor.
Another problem is that most airlines no longer carry stretchers
on international routes. Fortunately QANTAS still carries stretchers
on all international routes. British Airways have announced
they will discontinue this year, and most of the others have
already stopped. This has fuelled an explosive growth in international
Air Ambulance services.
Medical repatriations mainly arise from motor vehicle and motor
cycle accidents and strokes, where the employee after discharge
from hospital cannot work so needs to return to their home country
to recover.
Skiing and scuba diving accidents within Australia also require
evacuation using the Royal Flying Doctor Service or State Air
Ambulances. A helicopter airlift from Perisher, then an air
ambulance to Sydney costs around $20,000. Health fund policies
generally only cover road ambulance expenses.
Medical Repatriation Risk can be transferred using a general
insurance policy, or by purchasing Assistance services.
In Australia, International SOS, Mondial, Europe Assist and
IMAN offer medical repatriation in conjunction with their Assistance
Services.
IMAN Assistance is provided as part of the Australian Health
Insurance policy for 457 visa employees.
|
|
