COVID-19 has made travel more difficult within the United States and internationally. Some countries have banned travelers completely; in the United States, COVID-19 testing is required to enter from another country. While delaying travel is still recommended, it may not be an option if you need to travel long-distance for medical care. If you are traveling for medical reasons, understanding the relationship between COVID-19 and medical case management can help you make informed decisions.
What is a Medical Case Manager?
Medical case managers are trained medical professionals who serve as liaisons between medical providers and patients and their families. They can play an essential role in coordinating care and making recommendations for patients who need to travel long distances for necessary medical care. At SentinelMED, our medical case managers can also evaluate and recommend the best options if long-distance medical transport is required to receive the medical care you need.
COVID-19 and Medical Case Management
Because of the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, rules about travel, particularly air travel, change regularly. Our medical case managers receive regular updates on changes in regulations for domestic and international travel. They stay current on both airline and country-by-country entry requirements, including the types of COVID-19 tests and documentation required before traveling.
One of the benefits of working with SentinelMED for medical case management is the team’s decades of experience in long-distance medical transport. They have coordinated transport across continents and multiple time zones and even after natural disasters. They are experts in recommending the most appropriate mode of transport, and in coordinating all aspects of transport. They routinely schedule transport that involves multiple modes, including ground ambulances, fixed-wing aircraft, and commercial aircraft.
If you are injured or become sick while living or traveling outside the United States, a medical case manager will review your medical files to determine if appropriate care is available where you are. A SentinelMED medical case manager will evaluate your travel options to put you at the lowest risk for COVID-19 exposure. They will also review the rate of COVID-19 transmission where you are and where you are traveling to when making recommendations.
For medical travel in non-emergency situations, our medical case managers may recommend that you receive both the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling. However, depending on your age, you may not yet be eligible for the vaccine.
SentinelMED’s medical case managers weigh the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance when advising travelers. As part of their recommendations, you will receive detailed advice on the precautions you and any family members should take to protect yourselves from COVID-19 transmission before, during, and after travel.
If you need a medical escort's assistance, our medical case managers will select a member of our team to travel with you. They will choose your medical escort based on your health, language, and cultural needs. All of our medical escorts are experienced medical professionals and will follow all COVID-19 safety protocols as they accompany and assist you.
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 medical case managers also work closely with hospitals, patients, and their families to provide safe and comfortable door-to-door transportation. They handle end-to-end travel planning, including arranging for a medical escort to accompany the patient when needed.
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.
