What to do in a medical emergency with SafetyWing Remote Health?

If you experience a medical emergency—whether you're in your home country or abroad—SafetyWing is here to support you 24/7. Here's what to do, who to contact, and how to avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.

In Case of a Medical Emergency

Seek immediate treatment at any licensed hospital, doctor, or clinic.

Then, contact our emergency support team, available 24/7 through our insurance partner VUMI:

Emergency Support Line:
+1 855 276 8864

You (or someone on your behalf) should provide:

Your location
A brief description of the situation
The hospital’s full name and address

We recommend carrying a printed copy of your insurance ID card, which includes this contact number and your policy details.

What Happens After You Call

A Guarantee of Payment (GOP) will be issued to the hospital for the first 24 hours of emergency care.
If you’re admitted for longer, we’ll request updated medical notes from the hospital to continue direct billing.

This helps avoid delays and ensures the hospital can bill SafetyWing directly instead of you.

Emergency Medical Care in the U.S.

If you're in the U.S., follow these steps:

Step 1: Show Your Insurance ID Card
When registering at the hospital, present your ID card and ask to be listed as an insured patient. This allows:

Pre-authorization for treatment
Direct billing to SafetyWing
Quicker and smoother care

Step 2: Call the Emergency Hotline
Even after showing your card, you (or a companion) must still call our emergency line to activate support and documentation.

Once we're informed, we’ll send a Verification of Benefits (VOB) or Guarantee of Payment (GOP)—often through our partners like Aetna or NHSI, depending on the hospital.

Helpful Tip:
Always give the full name and address of the hospital. Many have multiple branches in the same city.

What If You Register as “Self-Pay”?

Avoid registering as a self-pay patient unless absolutely necessary. If you do:

You may be asked to pay upfront
Hospitals may not contact us directly
We may face delays accessing your records or processing your claim

Always try to register as an insured patient and present your SafetyWing ID card.

If You Paid for Emergency Services Upfront

If you chose to pay for treatment yourself:

If your costs were over $500, notify us right away to avoid penalties.
Payments under $500 may be subject to a 30% penalty and might not be fully reimbursed—even if they’re covered by your plan.

After You're Discharged

If you don’t receive a bill right away, it may be mailed to the address you provided during registration.
If you do receive it, forward it to SafetyWing, and we’ll make sure it reaches the claims team.
If the provider sends the bill electronically, they should use the contact details provided on the GOP or VOB.

To keep things moving smoothly, please submit notice of your emergency within 72 hours.

Having Trouble with Payments?

If you’re facing difficulties paying for treatment, reach out as soon as possible—no matter the amount.

Email: rhnotify@safetywing.com

The Remote Health team is here to help you access the care you need without unnecessary delay or stress.

In Life-Threatening Situations

Always call your local emergency services first. Once you're safe and stable, contact SafetyWing for support with billing and next steps.

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