Today, I want to share another important medical repatriation story—one that highlights not just the value of timely medical intervention, but also the critical importance of comprehensive travel medical insurance.
In my years of handling international medical evacuations at Ashoka Rescue, one of the leading providers of air ambulance in India, I’ve seen many families left vulnerable and financially burdened due to inadequate or non-existent travel coverage. This case from Seattle, USA to Hyderabad, India is a prime example, and it serves as a reminder for anyone traveling abroad—especially with underlying health conditions.
We received an inquiry through our website, www.ashokarescue.com, from a concerned client based in Seattle. The caller was the daughter of a 68-year-old male patient who had traveled to the U.S. to visit his other daughter. During the trip, he began experiencing severe gastritis, repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, and excessive burping. His condition worsened over five days, prompting his admission to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
After investigation, the diagnosis was serious: gallbladder stones, acute cholecystitis, sepsis, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyponatremia. A bile duct drain was inserted to stabilize the acute infection. While the medical care was appropriate and urgent, the family soon faced another crisis—the patient’s travel insurance failed to cover any medical or transportation expenses.
The reason? The insurance policy was not comprehensive and had not disclosed pre-existing medical conditions like hypertension and diabetes—both of which are crucial in any medical risk evaluation. The policy was not valid for the full scope of coverage, especially not for medical repatriation or air ambulance services.
With rising hospital expenses and no insurance support, the family decided to have the required cholecystectomy surgery done in Hyderabad, India. That’s when they reached out to us for a commercial airline medical escort, requesting an economy-class transfer, as a business class upgrade was not feasible financially.
After reviewing the patient’s records and evaluating his condition, I approved the plan for economy-class medical assistance. At Ashoka Rescue, we believe in providing solutions that are safe, transparent, and affordable. As a leading provider of air ambulance India and international patient transport, we clearly separate the actual ticket cost and only add essential medical escort fees to ensure patients are not overcharged.
I traveled to Seattle two days prior to the scheduled flight on 1st of the month, to personally assess the patient. He was alert, able to sit and walk short distances, and showed no signs of distress. Based on this evaluation, I confirmed that economy class travel was safe and appropriate.
On the day of travel, we flew via Emirates Airlines from Seattle to Hyderabad. The journey went smoothly, with the patient remaining stable throughout. Upon arrival, he was safely handed over to his family at the airport and no longer required my assistance. I wished him well for his upcoming surgery and good health, and returned to Delhi.
🩺 A Message to All International Travelers
This case is a clear example of why travel medical insurance is not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity.
Your insurance must:
Be cashless and cover all emergency expenses, including hospitalization and evacuation.
Include medical transportation such as road ambulance, air ambulance India, and commercial airline repatriation with medical escorts.
Be valid in the country (or countries) you’re visiting.
Require full disclosure of pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and any chronic illnesses.
Many travelers, unfortunately, either don’t purchase travel insurance or hide their medical history, not realizing that doing so could lead to denied claims in the event of a medical emergency. We at Ashoka Rescue have supported numerous patients in such situations—those who learned too late how essential proper coverage is.
As a leading air ambulance in India, Ashoka Rescue provides comprehensive bed-to-bed patient transfer solutions, including air ambulance, road ambulance, stretcher services, and medical escorts in both business and economy class. Whether you need a local ICU transfer or international repatriation, we are committed to delivering safe and reliable care—anywhere in the world.
Until next time, travel smart, stay protected, and never underestimate the importance of medical preparedness.
— Dr. Ashok Kumar
Lead Physician, Ashoka Rescue
