Health care providers have instant access to reliable medical information. Based in Toronto, the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation serves members across Canada, in 23 countries and on 5 continents. MedicAlert is a national registered charity. It is supported solely by lifetime memberships and contributions. The heart of the MedicAlert service is an internationally recognized symbol which is embossed on every bracelet or necklet.
Members also receive a wallet card showing their entire computerized file.
In an emergency, the complete record is available to medical professionals anywhere in the world by calling MedicAlert's free 24-hour hotline. Along with medical data each member file includes the names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and physicians. This information assists health care personnel in making an accurate diagnosis and administering proper treatment. The imitation bracelets found in jewelry stores or pharmacies are not backed-up by the identification and information service that MedicAlert provides. They are not linked to a 24-hour emergency response centre like the MedicAlert hotline.