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Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+)

Your 24-Hour Emergency & Medical Back-Up Plan

If a medical emergency strikes far from home, what would you do?

You’re on the road or in the air, hours from home, and suddenly, an illness or accident puts you in the hospital—you are far from your family and your own doctor, having to rely on medical care from people you’ve never met before. Who can help you while you’re in the hospital – especially if you’re in another state or a foreign country? How do you get home?

At AOPA, we analyzed medical emergencies like these, and we discovered an alarming fact: Even a simple problem that might be routine at home can quickly become a major emergency in a distant town or foreign country.

With a pilot's active lifestyle, it's critical to have a solid back-up plan in place to help handle this type of emergency crisis while traveling away from home. That's why AOPA set up a package of critical medical emergency and travel assistance services to help you in your time of need. It is called Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+).

*Emergency Assistance Plus is not an insurance policy.  Please call EA+ once you have been admitted to the hospital so that we can arrange and provide needed services.

EA+ has a global response center that provides 24-hour emergency and medical assistance services to more than 10 million travelers

For over 25 years, EA+ has protected travelers and provided emergency services that health insurance will not generally cover. If an emergency occurs, AOPA EA+ steps in to help with more than 20 emergency and medical services—so you can focus on your recovery and not on costs.

You even have the option of expanding your EA+ protection to include return of your aircraft if traveling via GA in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  Should your aircraft be stranded due to your medical emergency, a certified pilot will be sent to your aircraft and fly it back to the airport where it is stored.  For just $50 more per year, you can include this protection when you enroll in EA+ with Aircraft Return.

I was involved in a serious accident in Mexico … With the help and guidance of many of your personnel, EA+ was able to get me and my wife airlifted to the University of New Mexico Trauma Center for my treatment. I was released a week later and have since recovered, after months of extensive rehab. In addition to getting us home, EA+ also arranged and provided a certified pilot to return my airplane back to Albuquerque, NM the following week. Your services and support are AWESOME! For anyone traveling, this protection is a must.
AOPA Member Ed S.
AOPA Member Ed S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I enroll in EA+ if I already have medical insurance?

EA+ provides an important stop-gap between what your medical plan covers and emergency transportation expenses most health insurance plans NEVER pay. Should you be hospitalized due to a medical emergency while traveling away from home, EA+ will make sure you get the care you need and will arrange and pay for emergency evacuation transport if deemed necessary by our Medical Director. Emergency Assistance Plus even pays to bring a loved one to your side if you’re alone and are expected to be hospitalized for an extended time. If you’re unable to drive your vehicle or fly your aircraft* home after your medical emergency, we’ll even arrange and pay to bring it home for you. 

*Note that EA+ with Aircraft Return plan must be purchased to be eligible for Aircraft Return benefit.

Who is included under the Emergency Assistance Plus Member plus Family plan?

When you sign up for the Member Plus Family plan, you are enrolling all family members who meet the definition of dependent: your spouse (to include legally recognized domestic partner); your unmarried children from birth and through age 18; or through age 22 if enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college, university, vocational, or technical school; and children whose support is required by a court decree. Children must be primarily dependent on you for support and maintenance and must live in a parent-child relationship with you.

Do my spouse and I have to be traveling together to be covered?

No. If you are enrolled in the Member Plus Family membership, then your spouse is protected by EA+ whether or not he or she is traveling with you. The Member Plus Family membership gives your spouse access to the exact same services as you.

Does my spouse need an EA+ ID card with his or her name on it?

No, in fact it is best to use your name, as primary member, because then we can locate your files immediately to give you the fastest, most efficient service possible.

How do I use EA+ once I enroll?

Your official EA+ Identification Card will be mailed to you in your Welcome Packet as soon as you complete your enrollment. This customized I.D. card lists the phone numbers to call in case you have a medical or travel emergency and need assistance. (You'll want to keep this I.D. card in your wallet. Most AOPA members tuck it right next to their medical plan I.D. card.) 

Then if you're suddenly faced with an emergency when you're traveling away from home, just call the emergency number located on the back of your I.D. card, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. EA+ will immediately jump in from there. It's very important to make sure that all family members are aware that you have EA+ in the event that you are unable to communicate with medical personnel. 

How do I file a claim?

You don’t! Because EA+ is a membership, we arrange and provide all the services of your membership for you DURING your emergency. There are no claims for reimbursement. All services must be arranged by EA+ in order for them to be covered. Once you’ve been admitted to the hospital, just call the EA+ emergency phone number on your ID card. An EA+ assistance coordinator will immediately jump into action to provide the help you need.

How is it determined if I will be medically evacuated?

The EA+ medical team will make the determination after reviewing your medical records and may consult with your treating physician, if necessary.

Are there any restrictions about which countries I can visit and still be protected by EA+?

Yes. If you are traveling in a country that is on the OFAC-sanctioned list, you will not be protected by EA+. If you’re unsure of the status of a country you are planning to visit, call us before your trip to ensure you will be covered at your destination or you can visit our website to at www.emergencyassistanceplus.com/OFAC to view the list of OFAC-sanctioned restrictions.


To learn more or enroll in EA+, call 1.855.248.5062

With one call you can activate an essential package of support services, all vital in an emergency. Watch the video below to see what EA+ can do for you.



Choose Your Protection:

Already an EA+ Member?

Manage Your Account Online with My Account

Access your membership information safely and securely online:

  • View your EA+ membership details
  • Make a payment or update your payment information
  • Update your personal information

EA+ Global Response Center:

1.866.816.2073

(toll-free) (if in the U.S.)

1.603.328.1752

(collect) (if outside the U.S.)

NOTE: EA+ is not a first responder. If you are experiencing a medical or travel emergency, please call 911 first or local emergency responders if you are abroad. Once you have been admitted to the hospital, contact EA+ as soon as possible by calling the emergency numbers on the back of your EA+ ID card (or the numbers above) to speak to an EA+ Coordinator.