Testimonials

MedjetAssist Protects Big Business

Most business travelers don't have to worry about the perils of crocodile bites, malaria and shrapnel wounds when they hit the road on behalf of their employers, but for the reporters, producers and photographers of National Geographic Television, these are very real considerations. It's no wonder, then, that National Geographic Television provides MedjetAssist memberships for almost 100 employees. These days, even companies with more traditional lines of business see the value in protecting employees who are frequent business travelers.

Boise Cascade Corporation, a supplier of timber and wood products, purchases MedjetAssist memberships for 45 employees, primarily sales staff. "We have several employees who travel to Brazil and stay for as long as 180 to 270 days," says Jan Justice, of HR Distribution at Boise Cascade. "Other employees travel to the UK, Canada and other countries where we have high sales volume. We also have employees who travel domestically between our various division headquarters and mills all over the United States. It gives these frequent travelers peace of mind to know that they can be evacuated immediately if anything happens, from a medical standpoint."

She adds that she personally likes the customer service provided by MedjetAssist, "We've really had to rush some orders through when employees have forgotten to tell me that they are leaving and need cards. I'll just call MedjetAssist and say, 'I've got a hot one.' MedjetAssist always takes good care of us."

Increasingly, employers confirm that providing emergency medical evacuation protection to employees is not a luxury, it's part of being responsible employers. "We found that we were sending our employees to more dangerous places, but we have less time for preparations before getting them out in the field. Everyone feels safer having MedjetAssist to fall back on," says Susannah Moore, Associate Producer for National Geographic Television. "We might have people in the jungles of South America or the deserts of China. These are remote places, and it can take a long time to get someone out of there if they need medical help."

Most businesses hope their employees will never have to use their MedjetAssist cards, but they are glad the service is there, if needed. "We travel so much overseas, and it is better for our employees to know that we can get them back home if something were to happen," says Maranda Bice, Travel Coordinator for Vulcan Engineering Company. "We've had MedjetAssist protection for five years, and we have had an occasion in the past where an employee had to be transported from overseas. Everything went really well."

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 197 million business trips were taken in 1998, and that number continues to increase. In fact, the average professional takes five business trips per year. These commuters operate in a world where cellular phones, laptops and palm pilots are always ready for a flight across the country or around the world, and increasingly, MedjetAssist cards are among the mandatory supplies for executives on the go.

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