Q.What is Assist America?
A. Assist America is a medical emergency assistance company that offers medical assistance to employees and their dependents traveling 100 miles or more from home or to a foreign country. Travel may be for business or pleasure, although a spouse traveling on business is excluded. When a participant becomes ill or has an accident while traveling, the individual can access care anywhere in the world with one simple phone call to Assist America - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Q. What services does Assist America provide?
A. Should you or your dependents experience a medical emergency while traveling, Assist America offers the following services: medical consultation and evaluation, medical referrals and medical monitoring. If you require hospitalization, and if it is determined that the care you are receiving is not adequate for the medical incident, Assist America will evacuate you to the nearest facility that offers appropriate care or, if necessary, arrange for transport back to the United States. Assist America also provides hospital admission guarantees, emergency message transmission, care of minor children left unattended due to a medical incident, dispatch of medication, legal and interpreter referrals and return of mortal remains. Additional services include providing pre departure information about necessary vaccinations, visa/passport requirements and traveler advisories, assistance with lost travel documents and luggage, and assistance with returning a vehicle or emergency international funds transfers.
Q. What happens if a foreign hospital does not recognize my health insurance identification card?
A. Call Assist America. Assist America can provide guaranteed hospital admission. If necessary, Assist America will forward the funds to insure you are admitted and receive prompt medical treatment.
Q. Will Assist America transport a family member or friend to be with me?
A. Yes. If you are traveling alone and it seems likely you will be hospitalized for more than seven days, Assist America will transport a family member or friend to be with you.
Q. What happens when I'm ready to be discharged?
A. If you still need on-going medical care when you are ready to be discharged, Assist America will repatriate you home, with a medical or non-medical escort if necessary.
Q. I don't travel internationally. What's the benefit of this service to me?
A. Assist America will help you with any medical situation if you are 100 miles or more from your home, which can mean you are on a weekend fishing trip or visiting relatives in another state. If you become ill or have an accident while traveling, you may not know who to access for care, but one call to Assist America any day and any time of day will get you assistance and/or advice.
Q. If my doctor at home tells me I need to go to a particular hospital for treatment, will Assist America transport me?
A. No. Assist America assists travelers who are 100 miles or more away from home or in a foreign country and need help.
Q. If I have an accident or become ill and all the necessary transportation is arranged either by me or the hospital, will Assist America reimburse me for the expenses involved?
A. No. Assist America is a service provider, not an insurance company. Therefore, Assist America needs to make the arrangements for the delivery of services.
Q. Does Assist America pay my medical bills?
A. No. You or your health insurance plan are responsible for incurred medical expenses.
Q. Do I have to call Assist America before I leave on a trip?
A. No. Just be sure to take your Assist America identification card with you and call if you need medical or legal advice.
Q. How do I access care?
A. With one phone call to the number of the back of your Assist America identification card. you can access medical assistance anywhere in the world. If you are within the United States, call 1-800-872-1414. If you are outside the United States, call collect 301-656-4152. You will need to provide your company's name and the reference number. Both are located on your Assist America identification card.
Q. All I need is one phone number?
A. Yes. During a medical emergency Assist America takes care of everything for you. Assist America draws on over 10,250 physicians and over 8,600 hospitals and clinics to bring medical assistance to you no matter where you are.
Q. If prescription medicine is needed, but not available locally and Assist America is able to provide the participant with the medicine, who is responsible for payment for the medicine?
A. The participant is responsible for the cost of the medicine.
Q. Are spouses and children eligible for Assist America's services?
A. Yes, your spouse and children are eligible for Assist America services whether they are traveling with or without you. However, spouses who are traveling on business are not eligible for the services.
Q. Is there an age limitation for children?
A. The employee's children are eligible for Assist America's services up to the age specified in the medical plan that covers the children (generally age 19, or 24 if the child is a full-time student).