Air Rescue Card Medical Air Transport Senior Review

Air Rescue Card membership plans offer standard medical air transportation benefits with a few notable perks.

Whether you are traveling in your home country or overseas, unexpected injuries and illnesses can result in hospitalization far from home. Health and travel insurance may not cover the expensive, medically-supervised transportation you need to get to a hospital close to home. Specialty aircraft and medical escorts offer this service to individuals, families, and organizations through membership programs and insurance navigation support.

Medical air transport membership programs offer emergency air evacuation and repatriation. Members pay an annual fee for the plan, which is a fraction of the cost of a medical air transport. Other medical air transport companies provide these services on a trip-by-trip basis and help clients navigate health or travel insurance.

Grandfolk Scoring

Coverage 10/10

Customer support 10/10

Age restrictions 6/10

Accreditation 7/10

Broker or fleet 8/10

Cost 9/10

Ease 10/10

Warranty 7/10

Cancellation 7/10

Coverage What services are available?	Aeromedical transport and evacuation, and more
Customer support Ease of access	Phone support 24/7/365, Email
Age restrictions Are there age restrictions?	Seniors over the age of 85 are ineligible
Accreditation Accredited by CAMTS, or member of AAMS?	AAMS - No, CAMTS - No
Broker or fleet Direct or indirect air carrier?	Indirect air carrier
Cost Monthly fee	Depends on the plan you choose
Ease How easy to put to use?	Very easy; help is a phone call away
Warranty Is a warranty available?	No warranty
Cancellation Cost or difficulty to cancel?	Check with customer support for details

Age Score:

50-64 Years

65-74 Years

75-84 Years

85-Above

Travelers of all ages may benefit from medical air transportation, especially seniors. Unfortunately, age-related issues may interrupt travel and require hospitalization. This is especially difficult when traveling far from home. Air Rescue Card offers senior plans for those aged75-84, but seniors age 85 and older are not eligible for memberships. The vehicle transportation service may be especially helpful to members who are unable to drive home due to hospitalization.

Health Score:

Great Health

Good Health

Fair Health

Poor Health

Advancing health issues may concern seniors who are traveling far from home, whether the destination is domestic or international. Medical air transportation plans like those from Air Rescue Card may provide some peace of mind. Seniors who are in great or good health and face unexpected illness or injury on a trip can benefit from medical air transport services.

Restrictions apply to members with pre-existing conditions. Although there is no medical screening process, if a member was diagnosed or treated for a condition within six months prior to enrollment, they may not be eligible for membership or transportation services.

Pros:

Membership with Air Rescue Card is open to citizens of all countries.
Members qualify for medical air transport due to illness or injuries sustained from a natural disaster or an act of terrorism.
It is possible to enroll for membership during a trip.
Medical air transport benefits are available when a member is hospitalized only 99 miles from home. This is notable compared to the 150 miles limit with other companies reviewed.
One travelling companion (spouse, domestic partner, other) may accompany the member on a medical air transport if there is space.Otherwise, they will be provided with an airline ticket. Dependent children may also be assigned a travel escort if needed (fees may apply).
In case a vehicle needs to be transferred after the member is transported, Air Rescue Card covers up to $1,000 for the cost of fuel, oil, driver, and tolls to the member’s permanent residence.
Air Rescue Card also supports members who lose luggage. The company will take reasonable actions to locate the luggage. If this fails, they will compensate members up to $60USD per kilo, up to $1,200 per member per trip.
The company will arrange shipping, emergency funds and bail bonds (fees may apply).
Members with annual and long-term plans do not need to inform the company of their travel dates for eligibility.
Air Rescue Card offers senior plans for those ages 75-84.

Cons:

Pre-existing conditions may disqualify potential members. If, within the six-month period before enrolling, you were diagnosed or treated for a health condition, you may not be eligible for membership and/or transport related to this condition.
Air Rescue Card is neither accredited with the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) or a member of the Association of Medical Air Services (AAMS).
Unlike the other companies reviewed here, Air Rescue Card is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau.
Seniors 85+ are not eligible for coverage with Air Rescue Card.

Bottom Line:

Air Rescue Card is a medical air transportation company with strong financial backing and basic membership plans. It excels in its customer support options.Air Rescue Card offers strong membership plans for individuals, families and seniors up to age 85. Prices are competitive, and the company offers a few extra perks that members may enjoy.

The company lacks accreditation with CAMTS and membership with AAMS, which, though voluntary, distinguish air transport services. The company is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau. Air Rescue Card offers a range of standard medical air transport membership plans with a few perks.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I enroll for coverage?

There are several options to enroll for an Air Rescue Card membership plan. You can enroll either online or over the phone. If you have questions about membership, you can also email the company for answers.

Who decides if I am transferred?

If you are hospitalized 99 miles or more from home, you will decide if you are transferred to the hospital of your choice. The transport does not have to be medically necessary, but Air Rescue Card will work with your attending physician to determine if you need an air ambulance or commercial flight. If there is space when you are transferred, you may have a traveling companion with you. Dependent children are eligible for a travel escort.

How do my current health conditions affect my eligibility for services?

You may not be eligible for transport related to a health condition if you were diagnosed or treated (including prescription medication) within the six months before you enrolled as an Air Rescue Card member.

More Information:

Product Details

Overview:

Membership benefits apply when the member is hospitalized 99 miles from home:

Medical Evacuation/Repatriation
Hospital-to-hospital transfer with no forms or claims
Free flights home for family
Return of mortal remains
Return vehicle to permanent residence

Medical Benefits are available multi-nationally

Provide referrals to local preferred providers
Dispatch physician or nurse
Guarantee hospital admission
Hotel arrangements for convalescence
Medication or medical supply delivery
Replace lost or misplaced medication, eyeglasses, or contact lenses

Travel services

Pre-travel information and recommendations
Language translation
Replacement document delivery
Arrange emergency cash/bail
Relay urgent messages
Track/compensate for lost luggage
Referrals to local legal resources

Package Details:

Annual Individual Plan, $235 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for individuals up to age 75 with overseas trips up to three months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Short-term Individual Plan, $75 - 14 days, $145 - 30 days, $180 - 45 days
Short-term membership for individuals up to age 75 for trips lasting 14, 30 or 45 days
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Individual Plan (91-180 days), $235 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for individuals up to age 75 with consecutive overseas trips between three and six months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Individual Plan (181-269 days), $415 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for individuals up to age 75 with consecutive overseas trips between six and nine months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Individual Plan (270+ days), $525 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for individuals up to age 75 with consecutive overseas trips lasting nine months or longer
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Short-term Family Plan, $149 - 14 days, $275 - 30 days, $345 - 45 days
Short-term family plans for trips lasting 14, 30, or 45 days
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Annual Family Plan, $390 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual family membership plans for trips lasting up to three months
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Family Plan (91-180 days), $440 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for families with consecutive overseas trips between three and six months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Individual Plan (181-269 days), $575 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for families with consecutive overseas trips between six and nine months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Individual Plan (270+ days), $785 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for families with consecutive overseas trips lasting nine months or longer
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Annual Senior Plan, $350 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for seniors 75-84 with overseas trips up to three months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Short-term Senior Plan, $140 - 14 days, $215 - 30 days, $237 - 45 days
Short-term membership for seniors 75-84 for trips lasting 14, 30, or 45 days
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Senior Plan (91-180 days), $465 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for seniors 75-84 with consecutive overseas trips between three and six months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Senior Plan (181-269 days), $510 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for seniors 75-84 with consecutive overseas trips between six and nine months long
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Long-term Senior Plan (270+ days), $725 (multi-year discounts available)
Annual membership for seniors 75-84 with consecutive overseas trips lasting nine months or longer
Top feature: medical air transport and other benefits

Optional Accessories or Add-on Services: Air Rescue Card offers several third-party medical coverage policy add-ons for individuals and family nine months

Additional Company Details

Contract Details: Memberships can be canceled through email, mail or fax. Memberships may not be transferred and are generally non-refundable after the member’s start date.

Warranty: N/A

Accreditations:
Air Rescue Card is not BBB accredited, but maintains an A rating with the BBB.

Company Details: The Travel Assist Network, Inc. appears to have introduced the Air Rescue Card membership program in 2007. This small company is currently located in South Bend, Indiana. This program aims to provide peace of mind to domestic and international travelers. Their slogan is, “We Bring You Home.”

Contact:

Air Rescue Card
54505 26th Street, Building C
South Bend, IN 46635
Tel: 866-500-0333
Website: https://theairrescuecard.com/

Jennifer Brooks - Senior Advisor

Jennifer is senior researcher with Grandfolk® providing in-depth product and service reviews to empower senior buying decisions.