Assist America

Assist America Insurance Review

Assist America is a global emergency assistance provider that has been helping people for over 30 years. It's the nation's largest provider of global emergency assistance services, partnering with employee benefit plans to provide crucial support during medical emergencies while traveling. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into Assist America's services, pricing structure, customer service, and overall value proposition.

Overview

Year of Establishment and Background Story

Founded in 1990, Assist America was established to meet the specific needs of insurance industry groups with large memberships. The company's mission was to provide comprehensive emergency assistance solutions for travelers, addressing the unique challenges associated with medical emergencies while abroad.

Key Milestones in the Company’s History and Growth

Over the years, Assist America has expanded its services beyond medical emergencies to encompass a wider range of non-medical assistance needs. This includes services like lost luggage or document assistance, demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive support for travelers in various situations. Assist America's client base now includes employees traveling on business or leisure trips, as well as their spouses and dependent children, ensuring comprehensive coverage for diverse travel needs.

Regulatory Compliance and Licenses

While specific information on licenses and certifications is not readily available, it's important to note that Assist America operates under the guidance of its parent organization. This ensures that the company adheres to relevant regulations and maintains a high standard of compliance in its operations.

Insurance Products and Services

Main Insurance Products

Assist America specializes in providing global emergency medical services rather than traditional insurance products like life, health, auto, or property insurance. Their services are tailored to address the unique needs of travelers experiencing medical emergencies while abroad.

• Global Emergency Services: Assist America's core offering provides comprehensive global emergency medical services, including:
• Medical consultation, evaluation, and referral
• Hospital admission assistance
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Repatriation of remains
• And more

Coverage Options and Policy Details

It's essential to understand that Assist America's services are designed to complement existing medical insurance policies, not replace them. During a medical emergency, all incurred medical costs should be submitted to your primary health plan, subject to the policy limits of your coverage. Assist America's role is to arrange and pay for the emergency assistance services it provides, ensuring smooth and efficient support without limits on the cost.

Additional Services

Beyond core medical emergency services, Assist America offers a range of additional support services to enhance the overall travel experience and address unexpected challenges.

• Emergency Message Transmission: Assist America simplifies communication during emergencies by facilitating reliable message transmission between the patient, family, friends, employers, or anyone else who needs to be informed. This service helps overcome language barriers, time differences, and potential communication breakdowns.
• Compassionate Visit: If a member is traveling alone and expected to be hospitalized for more than seven days, Assist America will arrange and pay for transportation costs for a loved one to visit. This compassionate service offers emotional support and companionship during a challenging time.
• Care of Minor Children: In situations where a medical emergency necessitates a parent's hospitalization, Assist America arranges for the care of minor children left unattended. They will pay for any associated transportation costs to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.
• Return of Mortal Remains: In the unfortunate event of a member's death while traveling, Assist America provides comprehensive support in returning their remains home. This includes arranging the preparation of the remains for transport, securing required documentation, providing the necessary shipping container, and covering transportation costs.

Premiums and Pricing

Pricing Structure

Assist America's services are typically bundled with employee benefit plans and not sold as standalone insurance products. As a result, specific premium rates are not publicly available.

Discounts and Special Offers

Since Assist America's services are integrated with employee benefit plans, they do not offer traditional discounts or promotional deals. However, the comprehensive and cost-effective nature of their services provides a significant value proposition for travelers.

Customer Service and Support

Contact Methods

Assist America offers multiple avenues for accessing their customer service and support, ensuring prompt and efficient assistance when needed.

• Phone: A single call to the number provided on your Assist America identification card connects you directly to medical consultation, evaluation, and referral services. This ensures immediate access to expert medical advice and guidance.
• Email and Live Chat: While specific information regarding email and live chat support is not readily available, their 24/7 Operations Center offers immediate assistance for any urgent queries or support needs.
• 24/7 Support and Multilingual Assistance: Assist America's 24/7 Operations Center is staffed by trained multilingual medical personnel, including nurses and doctors. This ensures swift and professional support in various languages, making it accessible for travelers from diverse backgrounds.

Pros and Cons of Assist America Insurance

Pros

Assist America's comprehensive services and commitment to customer support offer significant advantages for travelers.

• Comprehensive Coverage: Provides a wide array of emergency services, encompassing medical consultation, evaluation, referral, hospital admission assistance, emergency medical evacuation, and more. This comprehensive coverage ensures peace of mind for travelers facing diverse medical emergencies.
• Reliable Assistance: Assist America is known for its reliable and comprehensive emergency assistance services, providing assurance and peace of mind to its members during medical emergencies abroad.
• Multilingual Support: The 24/7 Operations Center is staffed by multilingual personnel, ensuring that assistance is readily available in various languages. This promotes accessibility and convenience for travelers from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Cons

While Assist America offers exceptional services, there are some potential drawbacks or areas for improvement to consider.

• Limited Traditional Insurance Products: Assist America's services are tailored specifically for emergency situations during travel and do not replace traditional medical insurance. It's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage in conjunction with their services.
• No Specific Information on Discounts or Promotions: Since Assist America's services are typically integrated with employee benefit plans, they do not offer traditional discounts or promotional deals. However, the value they provide through comprehensive and cost-effective solutions might be considered a significant benefit.

Conclusion

Summary of the Main Points Covered in the Review

Assist America is a leading provider of global emergency assistance services. Founded in 1990, the company offers comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, including consultation, evaluation, hospital admission assistance, and evacuation. Known for its reliable assistance, multilingual support, and 24/7 Operations Center, Assist America provides valuable peace of mind for travelers. However, it's essential to understand that their services are designed to complement traditional medical insurance and are not standalone insurance products.

Recommendations on Who Would Benefit Most from the Company’s Insurance Offerings

Assist America's services are particularly beneficial for:

• Travelers: Individuals traveling on business or leisure trips, especially those who are part of employee benefit plans, would benefit significantly from Assist America's services.
• Expats and Students: Expatriates and students studying abroad would find Assist America's services invaluable in case of medical emergencies, providing essential support while living and traveling in new environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about Assist America Insurance

Answers to Common Questions about the Company’s Policies, Claims Process, and More

• What is Assist America? Assist America is a global emergency medical services provider for travelers, founded in 1990. They specialize in providing comprehensive medical assistance to individuals experiencing medical emergencies while traveling.
• How Does Assist America Work? Assist America provides a range of global emergency services, including medical consultation, evaluation, referral, hospital admission assistance, emergency medical evacuation, and more. The company arranges and pays for the assistance services it provides, ensuring smooth and efficient support without limits on the cost.
• Is Assist America Insurance? No, Assist America is not insurance. It's a provider of global emergency services designed to complement traditional medical insurance. Their services focus on providing immediate support and assistance during medical emergencies while traveling.
• How Do I Contact Assist America? One simple phone call to the number on your Assist America identification card connects you to medical consultation, evaluation, and referral services. Their 24/7 Operations Center is available for immediate assistance, providing prompt and professional support around the clock.

References

• [1] https://www.assistamerica.com/Personal-Security-Assistance/Program/About-Our-Providers.aspx
• [2] https://www.assistamerica.com/Welcome/Assist-America-Services.aspx
• [3] https://www.assistamerica.com/About-Us/What-Is-Assist-America.aspx
• [4] https://www.assistamerica.com/Personal-Security-Assistance/Services.aspx