[pylon]

Just got back from taking a trip with my folks and my Niece in Maui. 3 days left to go on the holiday, and the least likely person of the four of us, my 20 year old niece decides to get appendicitis and needs to get it removed ASAP.

My mother looked after the travel insurance for her, and it was around $40 bucks.

Forty.

Dollars.

And it took care of everything no questions asked. AMA was amazing, and was constantly following up every 24 hrs checking on her health, and was in constant contact with all the health care providers to assure she was looked after with top notch care. In fact, when we pulled the AMA card out at the clinic, and the Hospital, both were quick to acknowledge how easy AMA is to work with, and the receptionist at the clinic regarded them as 'the best one'. They also made sure the procedure was taken care of by a specialist, and did the keyhole surgery so she could travel sooner, and more comfortably.

The American system definitely left a lot to be desired, and was pretty damn appalling to be honest. The folks at AMA seemed more concerned about her care, than the health care professionals there. All they kept bringing up was "How are you paying?" She was left to wait with what could have been a ruptured appendix, while the clerk was negotiating with the insurance people. All that matters in the US system IS THE CASH. They DO NOT care about patient welfare. And the fact that Americans are allowing this continue, and a large majority wish for it to continue, is mind bottling. And the waits there. I have never in my life waited half as long for care in Canada, than we had to on all three of her appointments.

When you leave the ER there, they have a room, with people behind bullet proof glass like you see in prisons with those round microphone speaker thingies, and all the doors are electronically locked by the clerks behind the window, until you remit payment. It was bizarre. Like some sort of scene from a dystopian film. Once you enter that room, you are not leaving it without making a payment arrangement, no matter how mangled you are. The doors are literally locked from the outside.

Anyway, I have always relied on my Visa Avion benefits, but after seeing how amazingly AMA handled this whole thing, I am certain I will use them in the future for myself.

Don't cheap out on travel insurance people! And thanks AMA.

Also I am not a shill. That forty bucks saved us around $12,000, and everyone should make sure they are protected. I know all too many people that roll the dice. Consider this a PSA.