Medical Transport
A MASA MTS Membership provides the ultimate peace of mind at an affordable rate for emergency ground and air transportation assistance expenses within the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and while traveling in Canada, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of your group healthcare benefits network. After the group health plan pays its portion, MASA works with providers to make certain our Members have no out-of-pocket expenses* for emergency ambulance transportation assistance and other related services.
Why you need MASA
Many people assume that their health insurance policy will cover them for ambulance rides and other emergency transportation. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. During the last ten years, huge gaps have opened in most insurance plans, which can leave you exposed to unexpected out of pocket expenses for ground and air ambulances, particularly when emergency transportation is involved.
Four ways you might pay without MASA
Out of Network Providers
According to a 2021 IBIS World market research report, there are over 27,000 ambulance services in the United States, yet your health insurance policy may only cover a limited number of in-network providers. However, when emergencies happen, you can’t be choosy, and there’s no guarantee that you will be picked up by an in-network provider for a ground ambulance. According to Consumer Reports, 79% of all ground ambulance rides could result in an out-of-network bill. Essentially, that means your chances of being responsible for a majority of the bill are pretty high.
The reason for your trip
Health insurance policies will only pay for an ambulance trip deemed “Medically Necessary.” Medical necessity is established when any other method of transportation (besides an ambulance) would endanger the patient’s life. For example, let’s say you’re experiencing symptoms commonly associated with a heart attack and take an ambulance to the hospital. If your health insurance carrier decides that the cause of your symptoms (perhaps indigestion, heartburn, or a panic attack) doesn’t meet their requirements for an ambulance, they could deny your claim and leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars.
Usual, Customary & Reasonable Rate
If picked up by an out-of-network ground ambulance provider, and even if the insurance accepts the claim, we know that generally, at best, to expect that the carrier will only pay the Usual, Customary, and Reasonable Rate. This rate is commonly only a fraction of the overall charges, creating a potential balance bill responsibility.
Usual, Customary & Reasonable Rate
Even if your bills fall within the Usual, Customary and Reasonable Rate, most insurance plans have copays and deductibles. Copays are set fees attached to certain medical services. A deductible is a set amount you must pay before insurance coverage kicks in. Depending on your health insurance plan, some deductibles can be as high as $8,000. So, regardless of other variables, if you need a ground ambulance ride, you could automatically be responsible for hundreds to thousands of dollars just to fulfill the requirements of your insurance plan.
The full MASA MTS Benefits
After the group health plan pays its portion, MASA MTS works hand-in-hand with the benefits administrators and transport providers to make certain our members have no out-of-pocket expenses* for emergency ambulance transportation assistance and other related services. See the full list of Benefits available based on the plan chosen below.
Emergency Air Ambulance Coverage
MASA MTS covers out-of-pocket expenses associated with emergency air transportation to a medical facility for serious medical emergencies deemed medically necessary for you or your dependent family member.
Minor Return Transportation Coverage
MASA MTS provides services and covers out-of-pocket expenses associated with minor return transportation to a parent, legal guardian, or another person that can be responsible for the minor in the event that the minor is unattended as a result of Member’s Emergency Air or Ground Ambulance, Hospital to Hospital Ambulance, Repatriation to Hospital Near Home, or Mortal Remains Transportation coverages. MASA MTS also provides for a qualified attendant toaccompany the minor during travel when the minor’s age and/ or medical condition may require such care.
Emergency Ground Ambulance Coverage
MASA MTS covers out-of-pocket expenses associated with emergency ground transportation to a medical facility for serious medical emergencies deemed medically necessary for you or your dependent family member.
Vehicle & RV Return Transportation Coverage
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, MASA MTS provides services and covers the out-of-pocket expenses associated with vehicle return transportation for one (1) a safe operational car, truck, van, motorcycle, travel trailer, or motor home to the Member’s home. This service is available when a Member uses Emergency Air or Ground Ambulance, Hospital to Hospital Ambulance, Repatriation to Hospital Near Home, Patient Return Transportation or Mortal Remains Transportation Coverages. MASA MTS pays the cost of fuel, oil and driver.
Hospital to Hospital Ambulance Coverage
MASA MTS covers out-of-pocket expenses that you or a dependent family member may incur for hospital transfers, due to a serious emergency, to the nearest and most appropriate medical facility when the current medical facility cannot provide the required level of specialized care by air ambulance to include medically equipped helicopter or fixedwing aircraft.
Pet Return Transportation Coverage
MASA MTS provides services and covers out-of-pocket expenses for the return transportation to a Member’s home for up to two (2) pet(s) belonging to the Member that includes either a dog, cat or other small animal(s). This service is available when a Member uses Emergency Air or Ground Ambulance, Hospital to Hospital Ambulance, Repatriation to Hospital Near Home, Patient Return Transportation or Mortal Remains Transportation Coverages.
Repatriation to Hospital New Home Coverage
MASA MTS provides services and covers out-of-pocket expenses for the coordination of a Member’s non-emergency transportation by a medically equipped, air ambulance in the event of hospitalization more than one hundred (100) miles from the Member’s home if the treating physician and MASA MTS’ Medical Director says it’s medically appropriate and possible to transfer the Member to a hospital nearer to home for continued care and recuperation
Organ Retrieval & Organ Recipient Transportation Coverage
MASA MTS provides services and covers air transportation expenses associated with coordinating transportation for an organ when the Member requires an organ transplant. MASA MTS will also provide service and cover transportation costs of Member and Member’s spouse, other family Member or a companion should the Member need to travel to the location where the procedure will occur. If medically necessary, the organ will be transported by a medically equipped fixed-wingaircraft; otherwise, the organ is delivered by a commercial airline to the suitable airport nearest the location of the operation.
Patient Return Transportation Coverage
MASA MTS provides services and covers the out-of- pocket expenses associated with coordinating a Member’s transportation when hospitalized more than one hundred (100) miles from home, after discharge from the medical facility, by a regularly scheduled commercial airline to the commercial airport nearest the Member’s home.
Mortal Remains Transportation Coverage
MASA MTS covers the air transportation expense for a Member’s mortal remains in the event of their death when it occurs more than one hundred (100) statute miles from home. Remains are transported by a regularly scheduled commercial airline to the commercial airport nearest a Member’s home.
Companion Transportation Coverage
MASA MTS provides services associated with the coordination of transportation for the Member’s spouse, other family member, or companion to accompany the Member’s emergency transport by a medically equipped, rotary (i.e., helicopter) or fixed-wing aircraft, giving due priority to th medical personnel and/or equipment and the welfare and safety of the patient.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Hospital Visitor Transportation Coverage
MASA MTS provides services and covers air transportation expenses associated with coordinating a round-trip, regularly scheduled, commercial airfare for Member’s spouse, other family Member or companion to join the Member in the event of in-patient hospitalization more than one hundred (100) statute miles from Member’s home.
Forms and Brochures
Have questions?
Contact Benefits Direct
Overland Park, KS 66207
Quick Links
