Comparisons · Español

Pulsar or PAX Assistance: what actually changes when you need a doctor abroad?

Pulsar editorial team · Checked on 2026-10-01 against the conditions PAX Assistance publishes.

PAX Assistance sells travel assistance for trips from Argentina and other Latin American countries, with country sites that include Colombia and Mexico [4][5] and a stated reach of 190 countries [3]. Its general conditions are a Spanish-language PDF. This page sets them beside Pulsar's terms and its FAQ.

Who is behind PAX Assistance, and who do you deal with when something happens?

The conditions we read do not print a legal entity and do not name any company other than PAX Assistance as the provider of services, which run through its Assistance Services Center [1]. They describe the agreement as not being insurance or a similar product [1].

Pulsar is sold by Asteroid LLC in Aventura, Florida. Assistance and claims are run by MDabroad (US & UK Medical Abroad, LLC), in international medical assistance since 2000. Medical benefits are insured by the insurer named in the voucher email [6][9].

How big are the medical limits?

The conditions say the maximum limits are shown in the voucher or PAX ID [1]. Their FAQ recommends a minimum of USD 100.000 for trips to the United States, Punta Cana, Mexico and Europe [2]. Because limits sit in the voucher, we compare rules and not plan against plan.

Pulsar's plans are Basic USD 30,000 (EUR 30,000 on Europe trips), Standard USD 50,000, Superior USD 100,000 and Prime USD 150,000, per person [9].

What about pre-existing conditions?

This is the biggest difference. Their definition: "Todo proceso físico patológico que reconozca un origen o una etiología anterior a la fecha de inicio de la vigencia del plan" [English: any pathological physical process with an origin before the plan's start date] (Definiciones) [1]. Their FAQ says all PAX plans include assistance for pre-existing conditions, within the limit shown in your PAX ID [2].

The conditions narrow that: "La cobertura para enfermedades preexistentes y crónicas aplica exclusivamente en los siguientes casos" [English: cover for pre-existing and chronic illness applies only in these cases], namely acute episodes and decompensation of chronic conditions (heading: Asistencia Médica por Enfermedad Preexistente). Exclusions include sexually transmitted diseases, dialysis, transplants and oncology treatment [1]. An upgrade raises the cap, for people up to 74 [1].

Pulsar does not cover pre-existing conditions, except an acute heart attack or stroke, covered whatever your history. An optional upgrade (USD 15,000 or 20,000) covers acute episodes of listed chronic conditions [9].

What are the age and trip-length rules?

Services are available until 00:00 on the day the beneficiary reaches the plan's age limit [1]. The limit depends on the plan, and specific upgrades have their own caps: sports up to 65, pre-existing up to 74 [1]. The FAQ says that for travelers over 84 you should contact sales [2].

Short trips go up to 90 consecutive days. Long stays run 91 to 365 days for people under 70, and 91 to 180 days for ages 70 to 74. Annual multitrip plans run 365 days, 30 to 90 days per trip [1].

Pulsar: maximum age 85 at purchase; from 65 the medical limit applies at 75 percent; maximum trip 180 days [9].

Is there a deductible?

The conditions we read do not mention a deductible; limits are set per benefit and per event [1]. Pulsar's plans sold on the site have no deductible [9].

How do you get care, and is there telemedicine?

You must contact the Assistance Services Center and obtain its authorization before incurring expenses; failing to do so means automatic loss of the claim [1]. Notice must be given within 48 hours of the emergency [1]. Their Colombia page shows a 24/7 WhatsApp line for urgent incidents, and the Mexico page shows one for emergencies [4][5]. Paying yourself and claiming later is described as an exception, for when you cannot reach them first [2].

PAX Cash is a digital wallet through which PAX can send money for pre-authorized expenses such as medicines or first-need purchases, so you do not front the cost [1].

On telemedicine, the conditions mention a virtual consultation only in the COVID section [1]. Their FAQ says the Assistance Center coordinates telemedicine or in-person care [2], and the Mexico page advertises "Telemedicina con IA" [5]. The conditions do not state limits or charges for it.

At Pulsar, people answer 24/7 by phone (+1 786 257 0040) and WhatsApp (+1 786 414 1901) in Spanish, English or Portuguese. Call first, and in network the clinic bills Pulsar directly. Telemedicine is unlimited on every plan, with no charge per consultation and nothing counted against the medical limit [9].

How long do reimbursements take?

PAX publishes a timeline. You have up to 60 continuous days after the plan ends to submit documents. PAX has 5 continuous days to request anything missing, a response within 15 business days, and payment within 15 business days after complete data [1].

For Pulsar, check the issued plan terms for reimbursement timelines.

In what currency are you charged?

Their conditions say benefit amounts may be in US dollars, euros or the currency of the country where the plan was issued, depending on the product [1].

Pulsar charges in your own currency (COP, MXN, PEN, CLP and others) at the prior day's market rate plus 1 percent, rounded up. Refunds are the same amount in the same currency [9].

Can you cancel and get money back?

Once the voucher's validity has started, the conditions allow no changes, extensions or cancellations "por ninguna razón" [for any reason], and unused days are not refunded [1]. Before that, the Argentina FAQ says you can cancel at no cost by writing to their operations address [2].

Pulsar: full refund within 10 days of purchase if the trip has not started and nothing was used. After that, 80 percent back or a free date change until 3 business days before cover starts [9].

What happens if your flight is delayed?

After more than six consecutive hours of delay, hotel, meals and communications are covered up to the limit, with the original receipts and an airline certificate. The voucher can be extended up to 5 days. It does not apply to flights inside your country of residence [1].

Pulsar reimburses reasonable expenses for delays over 12 consecutive hours (clause 38) [6]. Flight delay, with Blink Parametric: register your flight 24 hours ahead and get a lounge pass if it is delayed, live now. An automatic USD 50 payment for a delay of 2 hours or more is coming November 2026. Eligible flights per the terms on your voucher.

Is there anything distinctive in their conditions?

The limit is per event: one accident or diagnosis is one event, with its complications [1]. A 3-day waiting period applies if you buy while already traveling or after a previous plan expired [1]. There is a 24-hour psychological support line for high-impact situations [1]. A maternity upgrade, which can be bought up to 32 weeks of pregnancy, covers pregnancy emergencies during the trip, not routine check-ups [1].

When might PAX Assistance be the better choice?

• You have a known chronic condition and want it addressed in the base plan: their FAQ says all plans include pre-existing assistance within the PAX ID limit [2].
• You plan a long stay of 181 to 365 days and are under 70: their conditions allow it, and Pulsar's maximum is 180 days [1][9].
• You want money sent to your phone through PAX Cash instead of fronting costs [1].
• You want a sports upgrade for competitions or extreme activities, which their conditions offer up to age 65 [1]. Check Pulsar's terms for its own sports rules [6].
• You are expecting and want the maternity upgrade [1].

How do I choose?

1. Read the pre-existing definition and its exclusions, then check whether your condition is on the excluded list.
2. Check the age limit of the exact plan, and the separate caps on upgrades.
3. Compare the claims deadline and any promised payment times, in writing.
4. If the FAQ and the conditions say different things, ask in writing which one governs.

Sources

1. PAX Assistance. Condiciones generales PAX Assistance (file named Jul26; no date found in the text read). https://assets.paxassistance.com/docs/Condiciones_Generales/Condiciones_Generales_Pax_Assistance_Jul26.pdf. Accessed 2026-10-01.
2. PAX Assistance. Preguntas frecuentes (Argentina). https://www.paxassistance.com/ar/preguntas-frecuentes. Accessed 2026-10-01.
3. PAX Assistance. Home. https://www.paxassistance.com/. Accessed 2026-10-01.
4. PAX Assistance. Colombia. https://www.paxassistance.com/co. Accessed 2026-10-01.
5. PAX Assistance. México. https://www.paxassistance.com/mx. Accessed 2026-10-01.
6. Asteroid LLC (Pulsar). Pulsar terms. https://pulsar.travel/terms/. Accessed 2026-10-01.
7. Asteroid LLC (Pulsar). The Pulsar Promise. https://pulsar.travel/pulsar-promise/. Accessed 2026-10-01.
8. Asteroid LLC (Pulsar). Pulsar Flight Delay Benefit. https://pulsar.travel/flight-delay-benefit/. Accessed 2026-10-01.
9. Asteroid LLC (Pulsar). Pulsar full product description. https://pulsar.travel/llms-full.txt. Accessed 2026-10-01.

This comparison uses the conditions and pages PAX Assistance publishes, read on 2026-10-01 (sources above). Conditions change and vary by plan and country: check the current document before you buy. Pulsar is not affiliated with PAX Assistance. Brand names belong to their owners.