Medical Air Travel -- Covered?
Seniors, Boomers Get AARP Travel Emergency Private Flight Discounts
Boomers and seniors concerned how they might deal with travel emergencies abroad are smart to look into MedjetAssist. This major medical evacuation company now offers AARP discounts to AARP members that might allow them to fly home on a private jet from anywhere in the world.
How it works: if MedjetAssist members are hospitalized for an illness or injury more than 150 miles from home -- almost anywhere, whether on a safari in Africa or visiting grandchildren in another state -- MedjetAssist will transport them to their hometown hospital or any hospital of their choice. The outfit oversees and manages all such missions through partnerships with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and more than 85 air-service affiliates worldwide.
"Our members are adventurous. Boomers especially are getting passports and traveling the world," said AARP's Dawn Sweeney. "With MedjetAssist, our members will have the peace of mind that no matter where they are in the world."
A policy like this might have helped one traveler who had a deadly form of tuberculosis. He made front-page news by flying to and through Europe on commercial airlines apparently against the strong advice of health officials. They were afraid he may have infected innocent tourists near him. He wound up in a Denver hospital. He apologized on national television but said his only option once he was in Rome was to spend $100,000 to hire a jet to take him back to the U.S. in isolation.
AARP MedjetAssist rates are 18 percent below standard cost. An annual membership for anyone up to age 75 costs $185 (normally $225). Annual Family Membership is $287 (normally $350).
There's also a Short-Term Membership Starting at $72 (normally $85).MedjetAssist is introducing a new Platinum membership created exclusively for AARP members ages 85 and over.
According to travel expert Peter Greenberg of NBC's Today Show, few credit card coverage and healthcare insurance plans offer this level of protection.
To purchase a MedjetAssist membership using the AARP member discount, AARP members can call this toll free number -- 1-866-809-4061 -- or can explore their options further by checking the organization's Web site.
Those who are interested in annual MedjetAssist Diamond (age 75 through 84) or Platinum (85+) memberships must ask for an application for enrollment by sending an e-mail to aarp@medjetassist.com or by calling MedjetAssist at the same toll-free number anytime between Mondays and Fridays, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Standard Time. Members over 75 must mention "AARP Diamond" or "AARP Platinum" in any inquiries for these levels. All members must provide proof of valid AARP membership at the time of purchase.
