A medical emergency is defined as “an unanticipated, acute medical condition that necessitates immediate medical intervention due to the risk of severe health deterioration or threat to life if treatment is delayed. Medical emergency is characterized by the inability to postpone treatment due to the severity of the condition which requires the admission to hospital for emergency care within 72 hours.”

To ensure you receive prompt assistance during urgent medical situations, we have introduced a new emergency helpline number:

+1 800 340 1395 (toll-free if called from the United States)

or +33 1 55 62 53 46 (standard rates apply).

Our Emergency Helpline is dedicated to providing immediate hospital admission assistance for members and their dependents facing critical medical emergencies. This service is exclusively available for situations that fit the definition of an emergency.

In the event of an emergency, please follow these steps:

1. If immediate medical assistance is needed, always call the local emergency number first to arrange ambulance transport if necessary.
2. Once you can, please call our helpline at:
   •  +1 800 340 1395 (toll-free number from the United States)
   • or +33 1 55 62 53 46 (standard rates apply)
3. You will be connected to a globally recognized assistance company that will verify your UNSMIS coverage and assess the emergency nature of the situation.
4. Provide your name, insurance ID, insurer (UNSMIS), location, and details of the event.

If the hospital accepts our guarantee of payment or is part of our network, UNSMIS will directly cover the costs of a public ward or a semi-private room. The member’s out of pocket share of the expenses will be recovered afterward.

Emergency hospitalizations are reimbursed according to the same rates as standard hospital stays. For more information on applicable reimbursement rates, please refer to the article 'Hospitalization'. In the event of emergency hospitalization, no prior authorization is required.

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Please note that repatriation costs are not covered.

Given the typically high cost of hospitalization, UNSMIS will accept a bill that has not yet been settled. If you request the hospital to issue an invoice with a 30-day payment deadline, please submit your claim via the UNSMIS portal or mobile app and notify our team immediately at unsmis@un.org. This will allow us to process your reimbursement in time for you to settle the bill with the hospital.

Please be reminded that it is your responsibility to issue the payment within the deadline of the invoice.

Please be assured that UNSMIS will reimburse all authorized emergency admissions in accordance with its Internal Rules.

Important reminders:

• In life-threatening situations, always call the local emergency number first to arrange ambulance transport if needed.
• This 24/7 emergency number is solely for emergency hospital admissions.
• This is not a Medevac number. All Medevacs must be approved in line with established procedures and obtain necessary clearance from the Organization you are working for.
• Repatriation costs are not reimbursable through UNSMIS.
• A physical insurance card is not required. If asked for your card, the e-card available in the UNSMIS mobile app will suffice.