There’s no denying how complex COVID-19 has made travel. Travelers must obtain appropriate travel documentation, stay up-to-date on the latest travel bans and country risk levels and, of course, know what to do if they contract the virus while away from home. 

But with the right travel risk and crisis management firm behind you, it can be done. That’s why our members rely on Global Rescue to get them the real-time travel advice, emergency rescue, medical care and urgent transport they need in case of a COVID-19 emergency requiring hospitalization.  

The Global Rescue Difference

“We can no longer travel how we used to [because of COVID-19],” said Dolly Webster, a 62-year-old Montana resident who required treatment after contracting COVID-19 during a fly fishing trip in the Bahamas in October 2021 who was evacuated by Global Rescue air ambulance to a higher level of care hospital in the U.S. “Travelers now need medical evacuation protection for any trip and not just adventure trips like mountaineering, trekking, remote fishing or anything else.”

Despite providing COVID-19 services to members since the pandemic first struck, there are still a fair number of questions about what Global Rescue does and how we do it when it comes to coronavirus or any other disease. So, we tapped our Member Services team — available 24/7/365 to take any questions from members or non-members — to provide the answers to the most commonly asked COVID-19 questions. 

Does Global Rescue Offer Services Related to COVID-19?

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Absolutely. Unlike other providers, we do not make any distinctions between COVID-19 and other infectious diseases with respect to our services. If members have questions related to COVID-19 or become ill from the virus while traveling, our same services still apply. This has been the case since the start of the pandemic and will continue to be until the end. 

What Will Global Rescue Do if I Get COVID-19 While Traveling?

Just like any other infectious disease, Global Rescue will provide rescue and emergency transport services to the nearest medical facility, center of excellence or the member’s home hospital, depending on the member’s wishes, medical condition and government regulations. 

Will You Cover Any Medical Bills Related to COVID-19?

Global Rescue is a membership organization that provides services at no additional cost to members. Services include field rescue, medical evacuation, air and ground transport and many other benefits. Global Rescue is not an insurance company. We do not have claim forms, co-pays, or deductibles. Medical bills incurred while traveling are not covered by Global Rescue. 

We do, however, work alongside a reputable partner to make purchasing travel insurance in addition to your membership easy. With the right plan, accident and sickness medical coverage, including hospital accommodations and quarantine costs, are provided while traveling worldwide up to $100,000. This includes benefits for hospital services. And, yes, COVID-19 is treated the same as any other sickness under the terms of the plan.    

Has Global Rescue Ever Evacuated Anyone With COVID-19?

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Yes. We’ve conducted many successful operations complicated by the pandemic for various members from around the world, including getting an American Olympic gold medal snowboarder out of China when COVID-19 first broke out, a repatriation flight for a U.K. resident who had been stuck in quarantine during civil unrest in Nigeria and field rescue from Mount Everest for a mountaineer who had fallen ill and tested positive for COVID-19. 

What if I’m Quarantined? 

If travel is not possible because of a mandated quarantine, Global Rescue will provide medical and other advisory services, including: 

  • Health advice to help you make more informed decisions 
  • Medical and health advisory to members or their caregivers on self-care during the quarantine period 
  • Local/regional/governmental public health directives to advise when to seek care and testing and when to remain at home 
  • Hospital/clinic referral and facilitation of access, as needed 
  • Medical translation services to improve communication with medical providers and facilities 
  • Medical advisory and review of care 
  • Assistance in locating and acquiring medications and/or medical supplies 
  • Coordination and transmission of medical records to facilitate ongoing care with other medical providers or facilities 
  • Coordination with your country’s embassy 

What if I Need a COVID-19 Test?

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Think you’ve come in contact with the virus while traveling? Or simply need a test to return home? Global Rescue routinely refers our members to recognized COVID-19 testing facilities worldwide.