How EA+ Supports You in a Medical Emergency While Traveling

Knowledge is confidence, and we want you to know how EA+ can assist if you’re hospitalized during a trip. Here’s a closer look at how we coordinate with the facility treating you, and how we work to get you home safely to continue your recovery.

Let’s start with your first call for help during an emergency situation—a fall, car accident, heart attack, etc. We are not first responders, and WE NEVER WANT TO DELAY YOUR CARE.  Always dial 9-1-1 first (or the international equivalent).

As an EA+ member, once you’re admitted to the hospital, call EA+ at the emergency number on the back of your card (or, if you’ve downloaded the EA+ Mobile App, the number on the back of your digital card has a click-to-call feature). One of our coordinators will:

• Open a case on your behalf after discussing the details surrounding your emergency.
• Send over initial forms that need to be completed by you and your attending physician that enable us to fully assess your situation and provide the necessary care.
• Contact the hospital/doctors treating you to discuss your condition and next steps.
• Consult with our medical staff to align expectations of the care at the hospital and what our recommendations are.
• Monitor your care and assess and coordinate transportation needs. Depending on your condition, if it’s deemed you’re getting the care you need, you may continue treatment in the first hospital until you’re ready to be discharged and transported home. If it’s determined you need to be moved to another facility for more appropriate care, we will quickly begin arranging for that transportation. Regardless, we’ll be in touch with you the entire time.

How can you best be prepared for the unexpected during a trip? Here are a few tips from our coordinators:

• Make sure your traveling companion(s) and loved ones back home know that you’re an EA+ member. Leave a copy of your ID card with them, plus a copy of your trip itinerary.
• Place your EA+ ID card next to your health insurance card in your wallet or billfold.
• Keep a list of known allergies and current prescriptions handy in your travel documents.

If, due to your hospitalization, you are unable to go home on your original itinerary, EA+ will get you home safely by any means necessary—plane, car, train—we’ve done it all!

Whether you are thousands of miles away or merely a short road trip home, EA+ gives you the peace of mind knowing that should a medical emergency arise, a team of highly skilled medical professionals remain at the ready to ensure you receive proper medical care and are provided the necessary transportation home.