Here are the clinical criteria Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts uses to determine coverage for air ambulance transport from an acute care facility to another acute care facility. Air ambulance transport services are covered only to the extent that they’re medically necessary, and are subject to these types of services being generally covered by each Blue Cross member’s plan. Members should sign in to MyBlue at bluecrossma.org
Does Blue Cross cover therapy?
Yes, the vast majority of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover therapy. Health insurances offered through the or through small employers are required by the Affordable Care Act to cover mental health services, and while not required by federal law, the vast majority of large employers also cover mental health services.
Does Aetna cover ambulance service?
Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, and TRICARE are a few examples of insurers that specify on their websites that they cover ambulance rides in these and other situations. Some insurers sell supplemental coverage that helps you pay the amount your auto or health plan doesn’t cover.
What does BlueCross BlueShield cover?
The Affordable Care Act requires health insurance providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield to provide coverage for mental health care and treatment for substance use disorder (including alcohol addiction); these are considered essential services, and the law mandates that treatment must be accessible to everyone who needs it. 2
Does BCBS cover transportation?
With your Blue Cross Community Health Plans SM coverage, you may qualify for transportation services. This includes rides to and from your doctor's office or a health care facility. Trips must be medically necessary. What services are covered? The plan offers rides free of charge when you have no other way to get to: A doctor's appointment
Who does Blue Cross have contracts with?
How many Blue Cross members were required to fly in 2016?
Who is Jesse from Blue Cross?
Do you need prior authorization for non emergency flights?
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About this website
Air Medical Services Brochure - bcbsal.org
Can a family member accompany a patient being transported? If space is available and the patient’s care is not compromised, a family member or traveling companion
Beware of helicopter ambulances: You might get a big bill!
DAVE LIEBER - Founder of Watchdog Nation. [email protected] - 1-800-557-8166. P.O. Box 123, Keller, TX, 76244
Air Ambulances: Taking Patients for a Ride - Consumer Reports
A Consumer Reports investigation found that for-profit air ambulances too often pick up people who don’t need air transport—and leave families with huge bills that insurance won’t pay.
Ambulance and Emergency Transport Services - Blue Cross NC
Understanding the basics of BCBSNC processes An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U7430a, 2/11 . Ambulance and Emergency
Air ambulance transportation - Medicare Interactive
In limited cases, Medicare Part B covers transportation in an air ambulance. The service must be medically necessary, meaning that you require immediate and rapid ambulance transportation that could not be provided by a ground ambulance.More specifically, the service must be needed either because: A ground ambulance cannot get to you where you are
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover air ambulances?
Air ambulance transport services are covered only to the extent that they’re medically necessary , and are subject to these types of services being generally covered by each Blue Cross member’s plan. Members should sign in to MyBlue at bluecrossma.org and check their plan benefits for eligibility details.
Is air ambulance transport more expensive?
Air ambulance transport is more expensive and involves more potential risk than other methods of transport. The benefits of air ambulance transport should outweigh risks. Medical necessity is established when the member’s condition is such that the time needed to transport a member by land, or the instability of transportation by land, poses a threat to the member’s survival or seriously endangers the member’s health.
When is ground ambulance service considered medically necessary?
Ground emergency ambulance service for the transport of a patient is considered medically necessary when all the medical criteria has been met as outlined in the Corporate Medical Policy.
How much does FEP pay for ground ambulance?
Under both – Standard and Basic - Options, members pay a $100 copayment per day for ground ambulance services performed by both Preferred and Non- preferred ambulance providers.
How long does it take to get Blue E?
You can expect to be using Blue e within two weeks of our receipt of the completed Interactive Network Agreement.
What is non emergency medical transport?
Non-emergency medical transport services for the transport of a hospital inpatient to another facility for specialized services are considered eligible for coverage when all the medical criteria has been met as outlined in the Corporate Medical Policy.
Can BCBSNC request medical records?
BCBSNC may request medical records for determination of medical necessity.
Is there an online trip sheet for BCBSNC?
BCBSNC has available online, an interactive copy of a “trip sheet”.
Is an air ambulance medically necessary?
Air or Sea Ambulance services may be medically necessary in exceptional circumstances. All of the criteria pertaining to additional conditions outlined in the Corporate Medical Policy.
What is medically necessary ambulance?
Medically necessary authorized ambulance services to transfer the member from a non-plan hospital to a plan hospital or between plan facilities when in connection with authorized confinement/admission and use of the ambulance is authorized.
When is air transportation covered?
Medically necessary emergency air and ground transportation is covered to the nearest hospital, when there is an emergency condition present which requires immediate medical intervention at the hospital, or on the way to the hospital.
Who does Blue Cross have contracts with?
BlueCross has signed contracts with two air ambulance providers – Hospital Wing and PHI Air Medical – and is nearing a final contract with Air Medical Group Holdings.
How many Blue Cross members were required to fly in 2016?
More than 2,000 BlueCross members required air transport in 2016.
Who is Jesse from Blue Cross?
Jesse joined the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee corporate communications team in 2017. A Chattanooga native, he has more than 15 years’ experience in content creation, management, and strategy for consumer audiences, including a six-year stint in health care marketing.
Do you need prior authorization for non emergency flights?
Prior authorization is needed for non-emergency air transportation to be covered.
