Health Plans for International Travel

MERCER: I had studied abroad previously and had met this guy who was working in the Congo. And I was really interested in, you know, international work.

He invited me to come out to Congo with a team of a couple people. I had Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage in the states. He just told me "just get GeoBlue." And we were regularly hanging out on the Congo rivers, swimming in it. We got bit by mosquitoes all the time. So within 2 hours, I was just laying on the 1 bed just bundled up in all the blankets and warm stuff I could find. Just like... I mean, literally shaking uncontrollably.

RACHEL: When I had spoken to his colleagues who had taken him to the hospital, they said he was very close to going into a coma. Like, even in the taxi on the way, he wasn't responding anymore.

MERCER: I mean, it's pretty lonely, you know? It's like you get told "this is the best hospital in town." We get there and it's a concrete room with mosquitoes flying around in it. So the nurse was fiddling with my IV or something... I don't remember. But she dropped this needle. And so I saw her, you know, leaning down to pick it back up and reuse it. She holds my arm like this and puts this needle in and it's just squirting blood out like this. And it's like getting on my clothes, on my arm. And I'm like "what are you doing?" Like, "what are you doing?"

I asked for water and the nurse said "no, you have to pay up front for water." And I had no cash with me at the time. Even if you can pay for good care, you just can't buy it like. It's just not available.

MERCER: When I first called GeoBlue, as we were talking, I think I thought I was going to have to, like. argue or make a good case for me to get evacuated. But immediately it was like... I think it was just like a change in the situation. 

READ: Ms. Reen took care of Mercer as though he were her son.

RACHEL: You know, it was probably a matter of hours going from being overwhelmed with concern and not having any idea how we were going to help our son, to feeling like we're in good hands. It's going to be okay.

MERCER: I mean the expertise in that part of the world, understanding how the system works and understanding tropical diseases that GeoBlue brought... I mean, I think it was unmatched. Canadian Specialist Hospital, as I understand, is one of the best hospitals in Dubai. 

MERCER: I went into the room. I was the only person in the room. And it was probably as big as this room. I mean, it was huge. It had a nice window, a TV, there was, like, high speed internet. So I was immediately able to be in touch with people who were concerned. 

MERCER: If I hadn't had GeoBlue to call, be the expertise, fly me out, set up a new hospital in Dubai, yeah... I mean, I think things could have been pretty dire.

READ: We spent over $200 on DEET and spray and all these things to keep him from being bitten by mosquitoes. For $65, the GeoBlue policy, it saved his life. That's all I say when anybody is traveling anywhere, get the GeoBlue policy. 

RACHEL: I have said many times, "I think GeoBlue saved Mercer's life.