

FAQ
What is VIKAND and why has National Geographic-Lindblad partnered with them?
In remote regions such as the Antarctic and Arctic, our expeditions operate in areas where
sophisticated medical facilities are limited or nonexistent. Although the likelihood of a
medical emergency is minimal, it is essential for our shipboard doctors to be prepared with
thorough medical information for all guests.
As a member of both AECO and IAATO, we must adhere to specific safety regulations
while we operate within polar regions, and this includes ensuring that all travelers to these
regions are medically fit to partake in an expedition. To simplify this review and approval
process, we have partnered with VIKAND for their extensive expertise in expeditionrelated
medical services.
VIKAND's on line medical screening process is streamlined and built to comply with all
applicable laws and standards. Each guest will receive real-time status updates once their
medical forms have been submitted for review, allowing for a transparent and efficient
medical review process.
How will National Geographic-Lindblad and VIKAND protect my medical information?
All data collected on VIKAND's medical questionnaires and consultations are stored in full
compliance with HIPAA and GDPR. Additionally, the screening process itself adheres to the
laws and standards set by AECO and IAATO. In 2023, VI KAND successfully completed over
12,500 medical screenings with no security breaches, ensuring both the security and
privacy of guest information.
The VIKAND and NGE-LEX health privacy policies are posted in your MyLEX portal. You
will be asked to acknowledge receipt of both.
When can I get started?
An information page will be available in the MyLEX portal as soon as you book your
expedition, along with a sample medical form for you to review. Medical form
submissions open 270 days (nine months) prior to the start of your expedition.
What information will I need to provide?
To login to the VI KAND website, you must provide the following details exactly as written
on your passport and in your reservation: your full given name(s), your surname(s), your
date of birth, and your passport number.
If the information does not match, the system will not allow you to proceed. Before your
first attempt to log in, please ensure that these details are in your reservation via the
MyLEX portal.
To complete the form, you will be required to provide details about your medical history
and current state of health.
Can I see my own doctor, or must I book a virtual appointment with VIKAND?
The decision is personal. We welcome submissions from your physician.
Using Personal Practitioner: If you prefer to use your own doctor, you will need complete
part of the medical form on line. A PDF document will be sent to you, which you must print
out for your physician to complete. Once completed, you will need to upload that
document to the VI KAND site.
Using a VIKAND Practitioner: If you seek expediency and simplicity, we recommend using
the virtual visit feature and having a VIKAND doctor walk through your medical history
with you. The entire form will be completed on your behalf during the visit.
Are there any instructions you can send me?
Of course! Please email medforms@expeditions.com for a copy of any of the following:
- Registering on the VIKAND Medical Portal
- Making an Appointment with a VI KAND Doctor
- Submit Your Medical Intake Form to VIKAND
- Uploading Personal Practitioner Form to VIKAND Site
- Submit the Adapted Medical Intake Form
I do not like and will not use modern technology. Can I get the form on paper?
The VIKAND system is entirely digital. We recommend finding someone close to you who
can assist with completing the form online. You can also book a Virtual Video Visit with a
VI KAND doctor who will complete the form on your behalf while discussing your medical
history.
What is the turnaround time from start to finish?
Once the initial intake form is submitted on line, the status will be updated in the MyLEX
portal within 1-2 business days.
If you choose to use your personal practitioner, please upload the completed doctor form
(received only after you complete the medical intake form on your own behalf) to the
VI KAND site without delay.
Alternatively, you can book a virtual appointment with a VIKAND doctor.
Once both your submission and the doctor's submissions are received, the review takes
approximately 7-10 business days. For last-minute bookings, we recommend a virtual
appointment for the quickest approval.
What are the costs involved for VIKAND services?
There is no cost to you if you choose to work with your own personal practitioner to
complete the medical form submission process.
If you choose to use a VI KAND practitioner for your medical evaluation and submission,
you will incur a cost.
Vikand Virtual Visit Fee
There is a USD $180.00 fee for any guest using VIKAND's pre-trip virtual appointment
service.
- This fee is payable directly to VIKAND for those services at the time of booking the
virtual appointment. - This fee cannot be covered or reimbursed by health insurance.
- Guests using their own physician for the screen are not subject to this fee.
I just traveled with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions a month ago and am traveling again within a calendar year. Can I re-use my form?
Yes, so long as your new travel date is within one calendar year of the previous expedition.
Please login to the VIKAND website, accessible via MyLEX. You should see your status as
"Pre-Approved - Pending Submission." You will be prompted, and will need to complete,
an Adapted Guest Health Form in order to be considered for full approval.
I just traveled with another company that also works with VIKAND and am traveling with National GeographicLindblad Expeditions soon. Can I re-use my form?
No, you may not. For privacy reasons, VIKAND cannot share another company's protected
information, even if that information belongs to a common individual.
I've filled out the initial form. What happens now?
Once you have completed the first part of the screening process (the on line form), your
status will be displayed in the MyLEX portal. You will also receive a series of emails from
VI KAND at each stage of the process.
MyLEX Guest Communications Portal
You will be able to track the status of your medical screening through the MyLEX portal.
One of these status messages will appear.
The speed with which the status messages progress depends solely on the speed with
which you or your doctor are able to answer any follow-up queries from the VI KAND
medical team. Such queries may include requests for additional information such as test
results or other diagnostic and treatment details.

Email Updates
Throughout the process, you will receive a series of emails from VI KAND about the
screening process.
Emails will come from VIKAND Guest Medical Screening at no-reply@vikand.com or
Calendly no-reply@calendly.com if using VIKAND's virtual appointment service. Please
always check your Junk or Spam folders for these emails.
Sample email subjects are listed below.

I did not receive the VIKAND email verification message.
If you did not receive your email verification email, please wait about 30 minutes. If it still
has not arrived, check your SPAM folder. If it is not in your SPAM folder, try to log in again
with a different email address. If a different email address does not work, send your Full
Name, Lindblad Booking Number, and Voyage date to screeninq.lindblad@vikand.com
with copy to medforms@expeditions.com.
I booked an appointment but did not receive the Calendly confirmation email.
If you did not receive the Calendly email with your appointment information, please wait
about 30 minutes. If it still has not arrived, check your SPAM folder. If it is not in your SPAM
folder, make another appointment. If you continue to not receive a confirmation email,
send your Full Name, Lindblad Booking Number, Voyage Departure Date, and your
Appointment Date/Time to screeninq.lindblad@vikand.com with copy to
medforms@expeditions.com.
The doctor did not call me/show up to the virtual appointment.
The VI KAND doctor will not contact you via telephone. Appointments must be joined via
the meeting room link provided in your confirmation email. Double-check the email for
the link and your appointment time.
I didn't see the doctor and would like a refund.
Please refer to the cancellation terms and conditions in the confirmation email provided.
Refunds for canceled appointments are processed within 7-10 business days.
How do I reschedule or cancel a booked appointment?
Refer to the confirmation email from Calendly. Use the link in your email to reschedule or
cancel appointments. Fees will apply if cancelled or re-booked less than 24 hours prior to
your original appointment.
Can my travel companion and I see the doctor at the same time?
Unfortunately, no. Each person must book a separate appointment.
I submitted the wrong information on my form.
If you've already submitted your form and need to make corrections, wait for an email
from the review team. They will outline what's missing or incorrect and how to update it.
Was my form received?
If you elect to have an on line appointment with a VIKAND doctor, that doctor will upload
your form. There will be no further action required unless specifically requested by a
member of the VIKAND team.
If you elect to use your own practitioner, and you upload the completed PDF after your
personal appointment, if your status in MyLEX does not change to "Under Review" within
two business days, please email screening.lindblad@vikand.com and copy to
medforms@expeditions.com. In this email, please provide your full name, Lindblad
booking number, and voyage date.
I sent an email to VIKAND about my issue. Why haven't I received a response?
If your query is urgent or time-sensitive, please forward your email to
to medforms@expeditions.com so that we may escalate the issue with VIKAND. In the
subject line, please be sure to include your full name, date of birth, voyage date, and
Lindblad booking number.