Emergency situations can happen anywhere, whether at home, on the road, or while traveling abroad. That’s where medical alerts such as Emergency Assistance Plus become crucial.
This membership service assists seniors and their families in handling medical and travel emergencies by organizing care, transportation, and support during critical moments.
It emphasizes emergency coordination and evacuation services instead of wearable panic buttons, which are common in traditional medical alert systems.
This review explains how the service operates, what it offers, its limitations, and who it is ideal for, to help you determine whether it meets your safety requirements.
What Is Emergency Assistance Plus?
Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+) is an annual travel assistance program that helps travelers manage severe medical emergencies and unforeseen events while they are away from home.
EA+ offers real-time 24/7 emergency support and coordination for medical care and transportation, but it does not provide financial reimbursement like travel insurance.
The platform connects you with medical specialists and coordinates essential services when you encounter a medical emergency while traveling, whether at home or overseas, including:
- Emergency medical evacuation or transportation to a hospital that can treat your condition if the one you’re in can’t.
- Return home after hospitalization, including arranging flights or ground transport once you’re medically stable.
- Support services like helping a companion travel to your bedside, arranging translation help, or aiding with lost travel documents.
Helpful Note: EA+ complements your health or travel insurance by providing real-time coordination and logistical support during emergencies far from home, addressing gaps most plans do not cover.
Key Features.
The key features of Emergency Assistance Plus emphasize coordination and logistics during emergencies, particularly when you are traveling away from home.
- Emergency medical coordination: The service helps coordinate care with local medical providers and determines the most appropriate facility for treatment when you become seriously ill or injured.
- Medical evacuation and transport: Emergency Assistance Plus arranges transportation to a suitable hospital or, if necessary, back to your home country when adequate care is not available locally.
- Return home after hospitalization: The service also helps you safely return home once you are medically stable, reducing stress for you and your family.
- Travel and practical assistance: This includes help with communication, arranging companion travel, and support with travel-related issues during an emergency.
- 24/7 global support: They assist you at any time, which is especially crucial for seniors traveling internationally or long distances.
These features support seniors and caregivers during high-stress situations, bridging the gap between health insurance coverage and real-world emergency coordination.
Pros and Cons.
Pros.
- Worldwide emergency assistance coverage.
- No age limits for membership.
- Medical evacuation and return home coordination.
- Family plans available.
- Ideal for those who travel frequently.
Cons.
- Not a medical alert system.
- No wearable panic button or automatic fall detection.
- Doesn’t pay medical bills.
- You must contact the service to initiate emergency assistance.
Membership Plans and Pricing.
Emergency Assistance Plus offers two annual membership options:
- Essential Plan: $249/year for individuals or $309/year for families. This plan focuses on emergency transportation, medical assistance, and travel/security support while away from home, with some benefits requiring hospitalization.
- Premier Plan: $319/year for individuals or $379/year for families. This plan expands on the Essential plan by including premium economy return transport, support for companion lodging and convalescence, and pet boarding/return in eligible situations.
Check both membership details to choose which plan suits you best.
Emergency Assistance Plus vs Medical Alert Systems.
Emergency Assistance Plus.
- Ideal for travel and long-distance emergencies.
- Focuses on medical coordination, evacuation, and return home.
- Works worldwide, including international travel.
- Doesn’t offer a wearable device or a panic button.
- Must call the service assistance to activate the assistance.
- Perfect for seniors who travel frequently or live part-time away from home.
Medical Alert Systems.
- Medical alert systems are ideal for immediate, everyday emergencies at home.
- Include wearable panic buttons, often with fall detection.
- Connect directly to a monitoring center that dispatches help.
- Limited usefulness for international or long-distance travel.
- Best for seniors who live alone or want instant help at home.
Key takeaway:
Emergency Assistance Plus does not replace a medical alert system; seniors can benefit from using both services together for comprehensive coverage.
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Who Is Emergency Assistance Plus Best For?
- Those who take regular domestic or international trips and want support if a serious medical situation occurs far from home.
- Seniors who spend part of the year in another state or country need help coordinating care or returning home.
- Caregivers and families seeking to handle complex logistics without organizing transport or hospital transfers themselves.
- Those who value independence and mobility but still want a safety net beyond their home environment.
Helpful Tip:
Emergency Assistance Plus is most effective when used with daily safety technology, especially for many seniors.
For example, seniors who already use wearables for health and safety can enhance their protection by combining this service with devices like Apple Watches, which include fall detection and emergency SOS features.
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Safety, Reliability, and Limitations.
Emergency Assistance Plus provides reliable emergency coordination, but it’s crucial for seniors and caregivers to understand what the service can or cannot do.
- Assistance depends on the member or a companion being able to contact Emergency Assistance Plus.
- The service helps organize transportation, hospital transfers, and return travel, but can’t provide medical care or pay medical expenses.
- Certain benefits apply only in qualifying emergencies and may require hospitalization, so ensure to read the plan details.
- Combining Emergency Assistance Plus with medical alert devices or health wearables for immediate emergencies can be more beneficial.
Emergency Assistance Plus FAQs.
Is Emergency Assistance Plus travel insurance?
Emergency Assistance Plus is a travel assistance service, rather than being an insurance service. It coordinates emergencies but does not reimburse medical or travel costs.
Can Emergency Assistance Plus replace a medical alert system?
This platform lacks features like a panic button, fall detection, or automatic alerts. It is meant to supplement a medical alert system but not replace it.
Can I use the service outside the United States?
The service provides worldwide assistance, including international travel. The family plans typically cover eligible household members.
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Final Thought: Is Emergency Assistance Plus Worth It?
The platform serves as a valuable additional safety service for seniors who travel or are away from home for long periods.
Its primary advantages include managing complex medical and travel emergencies, including hospital transfers and medical evacuations.
The platform also helps coordinate safe return-home plans, which families often find difficult to manage on their own, but it does not replace a medical alert system or health insurance.
Seniors requiring quick, daily emergency assistance at home can still use wearable alert devices or smartwatches with fall detection.