Role of the Authorized Person
UTHSCSA has designated the UT Police dispatcher as its Authorized Person.
Summary
The Authorized Person(s) is the representative identified to act on behalf of the
University in the event there is a medical or security emergency involving one of
your travelers. International SOS must be able to contact one of the University's
Authorized Person(s) at all times. Authorized Person(s) are always called for financial
authorization prior to SOS performing a billable service, whether it be medical care
or security cases. Throughout the course of the case, International SOS will provide
routine updates to the Authorized Person(s) keeping him/her fully informed of the status
and progress of events. Authorized Person(s) may be called by International SOS for
advice on how your organization would like a case handled. International SOS may provide
details of the situation and outline questions with which we need assistance. If
an Authorized Person(s) cannot be contacted, International SOS will perform a patient
transportation without prior authorization if the condition of the patient warrants
immediate transport to sustain life.
Details
The Authorized Person(s) is the representative identified to act on behalf of the
University in the event there is a medical or security emergency involving one of your
travelers. International SOS must be able to contact one of the University's Authorized
Person(s) at all times.
Authorized Person(s) are always called for financial authorization prior to SOS
performing a billable service.
Throughout the course of the case, International SOS will provide routine updates to
the Authorized Person(s) keeping him/her fully informed of the status and progress
of events.
Authorized Person(s) may be called by International SOS for advice on how your
organization would like a case handled. International SOS may provide details of
the situation and outline questions with which we need assistance.
Authorized Person(s) can initiate Emergency Services by calling International SOS.
They should provide the following information:
- The Name of the traveler requiring assistance.
- Location of the traveler.
- Contact numbers for the traveler or family member.
- The traveler's nationality or home country.
- Name and contact numbers for the treating physician.
- Name and contact numbers for the local hospital.
- Name and contact numbers for local personnel with patient.
- Details about the current situation.
SERVICES THAT MAY REQUIRE AP AUTHORIZATION
Medical
- Medical Evacuation
- Medical Repatriation
- Companion Ticket
- Additional Travel and Accommodation
- Repatriation of Mortal Remains
- Return Home of Minor Children
- Inpatient Admission and Identification of receiving Physician
- Inpatient Medical Expense Guarantee and Payment
- Outpatient Medical Expense Guarantee and Payment
- Dispatch of Medication and Medical Supplies
- Ground Transportation for Family Members
- Advance of Emergency Personal Cash
- Health Care Management in the U.S.
Security
- Security Evacuation Assistance
- Security Surveys and Emergency Response Planning
THE AUTHORIZED PERSON'S ROLE IN MEDICAL CASES
The Authorized Person(s) will be contacted by an International SOS physician for all
medical care requiring financial authorization by your organization. The Authorized
Person(s) reviews the recommendation and authorizes International SOS to proceed.
If an Authorized Person(s) cannot be contacted, International SOS will perform a patient
transportation without prior authorization if the condition of the patient warrants
immediate transport to sustain life.
Evacuations and Repatriations
Medical consultation and recommendation:
- First, the International SOS physician consults with the treating doctor to
determine the patient's medical condition.
- Next, International SOS considers the options and decides on the best course
of action.
- Then, International SOS will contact the Authorized Person(s) to advise
them of the recommendations, and obtain financial authorization if required.
Evacuations are recommended if the patient has a serious medical condition and local
facilities are inadequate.
Repatriations are recommended if the patient requires follow-up medical care in
his/her home country and will need medical assistance for his/her trip home.
The following information will be given to the Authorized Person:
- Destination of the nearest appropriate care facility
- Mode of transportation required
- Medical team and equipment required to safely transport the patient
- When the evacuation or repatriation should occur
- Estimated cost
As arrangements are made, International SOS will:
- Assist with the patient's official documents (passport, exit document, exit
taxes, etc.)
- Notify the Authorized Person(s) of the complete evacuation schedule.
THE AUTHORIZED PERSON'S ROLE IN SECURITY CASES
The Authorized Person(s) will be contacted by an International SOS Operations Coordinator
for security cases requiring financial authorization by your organization. The
Authorized Person(s) reviews the recommendation and authorizes International SOS
to proceed.
While proactively monitoring a threatening emergency situation in a country or region,
International SOS may initiate contact with the Authorized Person(s) to advise them
and inquire about information or an activity of which International SOS has been
made aware.
To the maximum possible extent, all decisions concerning an International SOS evacuation
will be made by the Authorized Person(s) and/or by subscriber's head office senior
management, in consultation with International SOS. Consultation with interested
governments, international organizations and groups and other International SOS
subscribers with members in the area will also be sought.
Guidelines for Initiating International SOS Security Services
Accessing security assistance is usually initiated by one or a combination
of the following:
- In the event of a security incident or threatening emergency situation, the
Authorized Person(s) may contact International SOS to advise them and/or inquire
about information or an activity of which they have been made aware.
- The members have 24-hour telephone access to security personnel at International
SOS Regional Security Centers (Philadelphia, U.S.; Singapore, London, UK) to
obtain up-to-date security and safety information. Upon request, access is also
available to a password-protected website to obtain security reports.
- The Authorized Person(s) may request International SOS to perform special site
surveys and/or on-site evacuation-contingency security surveys and other services
in the general field of medicine and security by contacting International SOS
Philadelphia. Additional fees may apply.
- All of your organization's travelers have access to the International SOS
Security Website, containing worldwide evacuation notices, alerts, warnings,
situation updates, country reports and risk ratings.