Skip to main content
International healthExpavy

Glossary

Medical repatriation (rapatriement sanitaire)

Organising and covering a patient's medically supervised transport to a suitable care facility, or to their home country, in the event of a serious medical necessity.

The decision to repatriate is made by the assistance medical team, based on the patient’s condition and the care capacity available on site — it is neither automatic nor the policyholder’s choice. Repatriation can be to a better-equipped local facility, or to the home country depending on the situation.

This benefit is distinct from standard health insurance: it is generally part of a dedicated assistance contract or section, and is never covered by CFE itself.

Example

A patient who suffers a serious accident in a country where the local medical facilities are insufficient can be transported, under medical escort if necessary, to a better-equipped facility.

Also searched as: medical evacuation to home country