FREQUENTLY ASKED SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS
Q. Why should I become a subscriber to Valley Ambulance
Authority?
A. Your paid subscription can also save you hundreds of dollars!
Subscribers receive a 50% discount on any out-of-pocket expenses (e.g.:
deductibles, co-payments, etc.) related to medically necessary emergency
ambulance service, provided by VAA, to the closest appropriate medical facility.
In addition, subscribers also receive discounts on other types of transportation services provided by VAA such as scheduled ambulance transports and wheelchair van trips.
Your subscription helps to assure that Valley Ambulance Authority (“VAA”) will have the staff, vehicles and equipment required to provide around-the-clock emergency protection for you and your family.
Q. How much does it cost to subscribe to VAA?
A. · Family Rate: $ 70.00
· Individual Rate $ 50.00
Q. Who is eligible to subscribe to VAA?
A. Residents of Moon Township, Coraopolis, Crescent and Neville Island. Robert Morris students, who reside within the service area, are also eligible to subscribe.
Q. Do I need a subscription if I have health insurance?
A. Yes! Most insurance companies do not pay 100% of total ambulance charges. In fact, most insurance plans require that you pay a co-pay and/or deductible. Your paid subscription assures that you will receive a 50% discount on any out of pocket expenses related to emergency ambulance service provided by VAA.
Also, keep in mind, that non-subscribers are often responsible for full payment of any and all applicable ambulance charges, which often can exceed $1,000.00 per trip.
Q. I thought VAA wrote off 100% of my co-pay and /or deductible amounts?
A. Due to rising co-pay and high deductible insurance trends, VAA was faced with either substantially increasing the cost of the annual subscription or attempt to recover some revenue from subscribers who use the ambulance. We believe that this was the best way to proceed as subscribers can still save hundreds of dollars through our 50% subscriber discount program.
Q. How can I subscribe?
A. Subscription applications and brochures are mailed in mid-February to all residents of Moon Township, Coraopolis, Crescent and Neville Island.
Residents should simply complete the easy-to-read application, enclose a check and return the application to Valley Ambulance Authority at 3550 University Blvd. Moon Township, PA 15108 or complete the online subscription application and submit an electronic payment
Q. Can I subscribe on-line?
A. Sure, residents can subscribe using our secure payment portal by
CLICKING HERE
Q. How is Valley Ambulance Authority reimbursed if I am transported to the hospital?
A. In the event that you need emergency ambulance service, VAA will submit a bill to your insurance company. Insurance payments are then applied to your balance. Once all insurance payments are applied, subscribers receive a 50% discount on any remaining out of pocket expenses for emergency ambulance services. The subscriber discount is applied – no matter how frequently you require medically necessary emergency ambulance service.
Q. When does my subscription expire?
A. Your paid subscription is valid for 365 days from March 1st of each year through February 28th of the following year (or February 29th on leap years).
Q. Is my subscription tax-deductible?
A. Paid subscription amounts may be tax-deductible as a medical expense. Please check with your tax advisor. Subscription amounts are not charitable donations.
Q. What is NOT covered by a subscription?
A. The following services ARE NOT covered by your subscription:
1) Alternative modes of non-emergency transportation, including wheelchair van transports (However, subscribers are entitled to a $5.00 discount on every wheelchair van transport);
2) Certain ambulance transports (emergent and non-emergent), which may be denied or deemed outside the limits of your insurance coverage and /or do not meet not meet established medical necessity criteria*;
3) Any charges related to long distance ambulance mileage charges or transport fees, which are based solely on patient and/or physician preference*;
Q. What should I do if my insurance company sends me a check for payment of services provided by VAA Ambulance?
A. All recipients of service are required to immediately forward any and all reimbursement received to Valley Ambulance Authority. Failure to do so will result in the immediate termination of any subscription agreement and you will be held responsible for payment of all outstanding balances.
Q. What is the difference between the VAA Subscription Drive and the VAA Capital Fund Drive?
A. VAA conducts its annual subscription drive beginning in February of each year. In order to receive subscription benefits, residents must participate in the subscription program. The annual capital fund drive is conducted in October of each year and helps the Authority purchase large capital items. Participation in the voluntary capital fund drive each year does not provide the person who donates with any applicable subscriber benefits.
Q. Does VAA honor any other ambulance services’ subscription program?
A. VAA has reciprocal agreements with many of the local surrounding ambulance services
Q. I did not get a new or renewal subscription application or
brochure?
A. The subscription year to runs from March 1st to February 28th of each year.
Subscription brochures are mailed to all residents in the service area no later than February 15th of each year.
If you are a resident in one of our primary communities and have not received a brochure - please CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOW