This depends largely on what type of risks you face. If you are always sick, you might want the insurance to ensure that you will not be forced out of a hospital or face paying above average fees.
Medical evacuation insurance can be obtained from most travel insurance providers. It is not usually covered by regular domestic medical insurance policies, or by standard travel insurance packages. Travel Guard is an example of one company offering medical evacuation coverage to US citizens.
Most full service travel agencies should be able to help you get a medical evacuation policy. MedjetAssist is one of the best-known companies offering such policies.
Some companies specifically excluse this. Check your policy for details.
Basically it’s for when you are out and about or on vacation and a medical emergency arises. You might need to use an ambulance or even a helicopter to get to a hospital, and this can cost tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Many times your normal health insurance will include some evacuation coverage. If you will be doing any dangerous or extreme activities in second or third world countries it would probably make sense to purchase a dedicated medical evacuation policy, especially if adequate medical care is not available in the country.
Many health insurance plans do not provide coverage outside of the United States; if they do, it may not be a full coverage. Also, specialty medical insurance for traveling abroad can cover situations that your medical insurance will not, such as medical evacuation.
A medical evacuation is the evacuation of an injured or wounded person from a dangerous situation such as a battlefield. They are performed by medical professionals.
When you travel outside the United States there is no way to tell what natural disaster may damage the area where you have to travel to. It would be a great idea to have medical evacuation insurance in case you are injured and required to leave the area where you are being treated.
To obtain Schengen travel health insurance, you typically need to provide proof of coverage for medical expenses up to at least 30,000 euros, coverage for repatriation, and coverage for emergency medical evacuation. Additionally, the insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area.
When travelling outside of the U.S., you are unlikely to have access to free medical care in the country you are visiting. Medical evacuation insurance will cover the cost of medical emergencies in another country, and it will provide for you to be transported back home where you may cotinue to undergo additional treatment. Some health plans include this, and other may allow you to add it at an additional cost. There are companies that sell poliices to cover individual trips or blanket coverage (look under 'travel insurance).
To obtain Schengen visa insurance in India, you typically need to provide proof of coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains. The insurance policy should have a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros and be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area. It is important to ensure that the insurance policy meets the specific requirements set by the Schengen visa guidelines.
Urgent Evacuation - Evacuation to next higher echelon of medical care is needed to save life or limb. - Evacuation must occur within two hours. Urgent Surgical Evacuation - Same criteria as Urgent. The difference is that these patients need to be taken to a facility with surgical capabilities. Priority Evacuation - Evacuation to next higher echelon of medical care is needed or the patient will deteriorate into the URGENT category. - Evacuation must occur within four hours. Routine Evacuation - Evacuation to the next higher echelon of medical care is needed to complete full treatment. - Evacuation may occur within 24 hours. Convenience - Used for administrative patient movement.