BRATTLEBORO — Rescue Inc. has rolled out its seasonal subscription campaign, so this is your chance to sign up for a flat annual fee to receive substantial savings for the cost of certain ambulance services not covered by insurance.
According to Drew Hazelton, Rescue Inc.'s chief of operations, for someone logging three ambulance calls in a year, the total cost could exceed $1,500.
“For an uninsured person, our subscription plan could pay the full amount on a qualifying bill,” Hazelton said in a press statement. “For an insured person, their plan may still require a patient co-pay, or the cost of the ambulance service might go toward an insurance deductible - but again, with a subscription they may not have to pay anything, if the call falls under the subscription parameters.”
Hazelton added that benefits for each family member legally residing in the household (from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015) include three medically necessary local emergency calls and three physician-approved, medically necessary, local non-emergency transfers.
New this year: One of the three non-emergency transfers can be a long distance transfer (up to 70 miles).
Each subscribing household is entitled to six transports per year provided all individuals receiving service are legal residents of that household.
The subscription per household is $50 for those with health insurance and $100 if one or more household members lack insurance.
Hazelton explained how this works: With insurance, he said, the subscription covers balances that the insurance does not. Some insurance companies pay 80 percent, Medicare only pays the Medicare allowable, and if a patient lacks secondary insurance, a balance remains.
Without insurance, the subscription pays the entire balance.
Participation in the subscription program also helps Rescue Inc. train its staff, purchase equipment, and continue to provide top-quality, rapid-response, compassionate care in the communities it serves, Hazelton said.
The company has mailed a packet describing full details and restrictions to households. Information also is available at www.rescueinc.org and at Rescue Inc.'s office. The company also is conducting an outreach campaign to inform residents of its vital services.