Types of requests and processing

The length of time it takes for a medical referral abroad to take place depends on:

- The type of request;

- The country, hospital and specialist selected for the medical referral abroad;

- The availability of an appointment.

There are four types of medical referral abroad requests that a doctor can submit: an emergent, an urgent, a standard/normal and a follow-up request.

An emergent request is submitted if the Insured's condition is life-threatening and they need to receive medical treatment immediately in order to survive. An emergent referral is arranged within 24 hrs. by SZV and the Insured is flown out within hours by air ambulance.

An urgent referral is submitted if the Insured needs to receive treatment within 7 days in order to prevent the condition/illness from becoming life-threatening. An urgent referral is arranged within 3 days by SZV. The insured can expect to travel commercially within 1-7 working days from the time the request is received at SZV. Urgent requests that do not meet the abovementioned conditions will be processed as a standard/normal referral.

A standard referral is submitted if the Insured has a non-emergent, non-urgent medical condition or illness that needs evaluation and treatment. A standard/normal referral is arranged within 10 working days by SZV. The Insured can expect to travel up to 2 months of when the referral was submitted to SZV.

A follow-up medical referral abroad request is submitted when the Insured was treated abroad and cannot receive the indicated follow-up care in Sint Maarten or if the Insured is not improved or is having complications after being treated abroad. A follow-up referral is arranged in the time frame indicated in the discharge medical report from the treating specialist abroad. 

Delays in the time frames listed, can occur if:

• There is a long waiting list in the designated country or specialty. Currently there are delays for medical referrals abroad for Urology, Neurology and Neurosurgery in Saint Martin.
• -The Insured's passport is expired and awaiting renewal or the Insured needs a visa to go to the designated Country of Care and has to go through a visa process.
• The contact information provided by the Insured or the treating doctor referring the Insured is incorrect and SZV is unable to contact the Insured to make the necessary travel arrangements.
• The medical report submitted by the treating doctor who is referring the Insured, is incomplete.

SZV has not received a confirmed appointment date from the designated country, hospital or specialist abroad.