PLANTATION, Fla., March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — MASA®, a leader since 1974 in providing greater access to critical care through coverage for emergency medical transportation, announced today that Joseph Heaney has joined the company’s leadership team as the President of MASA’s Business Group. Heaney holds nearly 25 years of leadership experience in employee benefits, most recently as the senior vice president of MetLife’s Group Benefits Regional Market Sales organization, which provides a range of benefits solutions to employees and retirees.

In his new role, Heaney will lead a robust growth strategy for MASA’s health benefits sector, which operates extensively in the U.S. and the Caribbean Islands. He will also find new ways to advance MASA’s strategic expansion across various Group Benefits and Strategic Partnership domains, including U.S. national and regional practices, new international markets in the LATAM region, and significant distribution partnerships.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe to our leadership team,” said MASA CEO David Harris. “His decades of experience and credibility with so many partners in benefits solutions combined with his vision for MASA’s growth will help us find new ways to reach even more members and ensure we can protect them and their families with compassion.”

“Too many individuals still face the threat of financial catastrophe after a medical emergency, even if they have health insurance,” Heaney said. “I’m honored to join a terrific organization that has been long committed to solving this problem and protecting millions of patients and their families in the U.S. and Caribbean.”

Today, MASA is the only company that provides nationwide emergency transportation coverage that is not limited to a network. MASA is offered throughout the U.S. and in 17 international locations, providing protection to millions of people worldwide.

About MASA
Founded in 1974 as Medical Air Services Association, Inc. and celebrating its 50th anniversary, MASA® continues to expand on its mission to connect members with critical care. As a global organization with 17 international locations and covering all 50 states and Canada, MASA serves more than 2 million members with emergency and non-emergency transportation benefits and so much more. Learn more at masaaccess.com.

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In 1974, Medical Air Services Association, Inc. began as an emergency air transportation solution for members in need. Since then, we have expanded to offer coverage for emergency and non-emergency transportation services throughout all 50 states, Canada, and 17 additional international locations — and counting. 

With more than 2 million members around the globe and half a century in service, our updated brand is part of our commitment to focus on innovation to deliver extraordinary customer care, while staying true to MASA’s foundation of connecting members with medical transportation services. 

Our updated look will be phased in over the next year, with this sneak peek available on our websites and other digital member tools now. 

About the new MASA look and feel 

Did you notice the logomark is constructed from one core shape? Look closely, and you’ll see the arrow. We use it to show the movement of propeller blades or airplane wings — symbols representing our past and present — and more subtly show our core values of guidance, progress, and dependability. When unified, the arrows display our commitment to connection and care.

You’re at the core of what we do 

Thank you to our members, partners, and team for building on these past 50 years. We’re so excited for what’s to come. 

About MASA

Founded in 1974 as Medical Air Services Association, Inc., MASA® continues to expand on its mission to connect members with care. As a global organization with 17 international locations and covering all 50 states and Canada, MASA serves 2 million+ members with emergency and non-emergency transportation benefits and so much more.

The post Celebrating 50 years — and a new look! appeared first on MASA Medical Transportation Coverage.

So, why are most emergency bills so high? Chances are, the provider that picked you up was “out-of-network”. Essentially, this means that your health insurance plan will not cover that provider’s services. According to the New York Times, more than half of all emergency providers are out-of-network.¹ Worse yet, if your emergency is severe enough to require an air ambulance, you will only have about a thirty-percent chance to receive in-network service.²

Why is the System Set Up This Way?

Ambulance providers can be owned by a number of different entities, which makes it difficult to fit them all under one insurance plan. Commonly, emergency transport is organized by the government, with the local police or fire department and funded by taxpayer money; however, there has been an increase in private, for-profit companies running ambulance services. The core issue is that ambulance companies and private insurance companies often don’t agree on fair pricing, so many companies choose not to join the insurance network. In turn, you have little to no protection when an out-of-network ambulance picks you up. Even more depressing, in-network ambulance prices are still quite high. Not to mention the fact that the air ambulance industry is completely unregulated and can charge you whatever prices they want.

Wait, it Costs How Much?

Ambulance costs depend on location, mileage, services needed and whether or not the trip was deemed “medically-necessary.” Health Affairs states that from 2013-2017 the average median cost for ground transportation is $450 and $21,698 for air transportation.³ Recently, a COVID-19 patient in the Philadelphia area came home after a six-week hospital stay and was surprised with a staggering $52,212 bill for traveling from one hospital to another, just twenty miles away.⁴

Keep Your Mind at Ease

With 1-out-of-10 people making an emergency call each year, the threat of receiving an out-of-network emergency bill is very real. But, don’t worry. MASA MTS offers a variety of plans to protect you and your family from excessive emergency charges. Our members enjoy full coverage no matter where you are, what happens, or why you need help. In the event you need ground medical transport or emergency air transport, we will take your bills and protect you from excessive charges. It doesn’t matter who picks you up, local, state, in-network or out-of-network ambulance, we have you covered.

CONTACT MASA MTS

¹ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/22/upshot/ambulance-surprise-medical-bills-law.html

² https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/697684.pdf

³ https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01484

⁴ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/upshot/coronavirus-surprise-medical-bills.html

The post In-Network vs Out-of-Network Emergency Transport appeared first on MASA Medical Transportation Coverage.

In 1978, the federal government passed a law that blocked regulations in relation to the prices and services of air carriers¹. The intention was to open up a free market, where flights would increase, and fares would decrease. Thankfully, these positives did materialize. However, there were also some unintended and extremely dangerous consequences.

Essentially, the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 made it cheaper for customers to buy commercial air flights. But in emergency situations, it also opened up the opportunity for medical air companies to take advantage of the patient’s immediate needs and lack of choice. Like in all free markets, supply and demand rule supreme. When faced with an emergency, your demand is at its highest. Without regulations to protect consumers, air ambulance companies have the opportunity to charge excessive amounts for their services. In fact, a Government Accountability Office Report from 2019 estimated the average cost of emergency air flights to be between $36,400 and $40,600². That’s a hefty price for a one-way flight, especially when many health insurance plans may not cover the full cost of emergency air flights. In fact, most insurance companies don’t even negotiate bills with the emergency providers. If you’re lucky, the insurance company will pay the “usual, customary and reasonable rate,” then leave the rest of the bill to you. This process burdens emergency patients with gigantic amounts of medical debt.

Why are the costs so high?

First, 69% of air ambulance providers are considered out-of-network³. Private insurers generally pay about $6,500 for air ambulance services⁴, so providers are not given much incentive to be “in-network.”

Second, Air Ambulance providers often take advantage of the lack of regulations and negotiated pricing to recoup lost revenue from other underpaying patients. This practice is known as cost-shifting and is one of the root causes of exorbitant emergency air bills.⁵ Essentially, when Medicaid and Medicare patients utilize emergency air transport, the government only covers about half the cost of the trip (typically around $11,000). Then the leftover amount is spread over other patients’ bills in an effort to lessen the company’s financial strain. This is a big reason why the costs for air ambulance transport average nearly $40,000.

Of course, none of this seems very fair. Which is why many states have tried to fight back against the status quo, but almost always lose because of the Airline Deregulation Act.⁶

States Attempt to Protect Their Citizens

While states are unable to regulate the price of airline services, many of them have made attempts to protect consumers from surprise bills. As of November 2020, 32 states have enacted laws to protect patients, but only 18 states actually provide comprehensive protection.⁷

Furthermore, some states like Florida have tried to eliminate the cost shifting practices commonly used by air ambulance providers.⁸ These laws attempt to set a precedent that customers can only be billed a “reasonable reimbursement” amount, specifically excluding underpaid bills from other clients.

Unfortunately, even with this new legislation, states are still inhibited from setting a uniform standard for air ambulance costs. Additionally, many large employers’ health plans are not governed by states but are regulated by the federal labor law, known as ERISA.⁹

Congress Needs to Address These Dangerous Gaps

Even with scattered protections on a state-by-state basis, a number of patients would still be left unprotected without comprehensive changes implemented by Congress. Thankfully, there are steps being taken in the right direction. One of the recent coronavirus stimulus bills has been structured to provide patients relief from these threats, starting in 2022.¹⁰

Ultimately, this law doesn’t eliminate the high cost of air ambulance service, but it would ease the pain from “surprise” bills from out-of-network air ambulance providers. Patients will only be expected to pay the same amount detailed in their insurance plans for in-network deductibles and copayments. Sadly, this can still amount to tens of thousands of dollars.

MASA MTS Eliminates Your Reliance on the Government

While federal and state governments are both working on legislation to help decrease excessive emergency air bills, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be left without financial burden. However, becoming a member of MASA MTS will eliminate your expenses, including all copayments and deductibles. MASA MTS also covers you anywhere within the United States and Canada. This means you don’t have to worry about which state you’re in and whether or not they have protective legislation. We provide comprehensive protection and peace of mind, allowing you to live free and happy while also feeling safe to call for help when you need it most.

¹ https://www.findlaw.com/consumer/travel-rules-and-rights/airline-deregulation-act-overview.html

² https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-292

³ https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-292

⁴ https://khn.org/news/air-ambulance-costs-fly-around-fixes-for-surprise-medical-bills/

⁵ https://floridapolitics.com/archives/320122-house-passes-bill-to-end-air-ambulance-balance-billing

⁶ https://mynbc15.com/news/reality-check/reality-check-consumers-on-the-hook-for-outlandish-air-ambulance-bills

⁷ https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/maps-and-interactives/2020/nov/state-balance-billing-protections

⁸ https://floridapolitics.com/archives/320122-house-passes-bill-to-end-air-ambulance-balance-billing

⁹ https://khn.org/news/air-ambulance-costs-fly-around-fixes-for-surprise-medical-bills/

¹⁰ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/12/22/949047358/congress-acts-to-spare-consumers-from-costly-surprise-medical-bills

The post What is Airline Deregulation and What Does it Mean to You? appeared first on MASA Medical Transportation Coverage.

Useful Links

• Enter your information to see what plans you qualify for: https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/#/
• Learn how to correctly estimate your income, so you get the highest savings: https://www.healthcare.gov/income-and-household-information/
• Learn more about the Affordable Care Act: https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/index.html

Enrollment Dates

Remember to check this year’s enrollment dates for health insurance. Most years, enrollment opens in November and ends during the middle of December. So, don’t get caught procrastinating! Be sure to select a plan that works best for you before it’s too late. Of course, enrollment dates can vary depending on your employer. Either way, take this opportunity to reflect on how your health and wellbeing have changed within this past year. From there, decide on which healthcare plan will be most beneficial going forward.

Gaps in Your Health Insurance

Nowadays, health insurance will only get you so far. Within the last 10 years, many dangerous gaps have opened up in American health plans.¹ One of the biggest gaps leaves you exposed to excessive emergency transport bills. Depending on which emergency medical transportation provider picks you up, where you get picked up, and why you get picked up, you have a 50% chance of being left with a majority of the bill.² Of course, nobody can predict when they will need a ground ambulance or helicopter medical transport. But, accidents can happen, and you’re not going to be happy when you are stuck with a big bill. This risk can only be addressed by supplemental coverage.

Protect Yourself With MASA MTS

When making selections for the upcoming year, you may want to consider additional emergency coverage. MASA MTS plans are easy, effective, and extremely affordable. For less than a dollar a day, you can protect yourself and your family from excessive medical transport bills. In the event you need ground medical transportation or an air ambulance, we will take your bills. Plus, our other benefits will ensure that you are never alone in your time of need. MASA MTS will pay to have a friend or family member transported to your bedside. We will also pay to have a friend or family member accompany you in a helicopter ambulance. If any children are with you at the time of your accident, we will pay to have them transported back home. Our Pet and Vehicle Return benefits also ensure that animals, cars, and RVs aren’t left stranded when you get picked up by emergency medical services. Most importantly, MASA MTS gives you peace of mind.

Are You Exposed?

Reinforce your monthly health insurance with MASA MTS today! Drop us a message at https://masaaccess.com/contact-us/ and one of our dedicated representatives will contact you. We will show you where MASA MTS can help cover dangerous gaps in your coverage and walk you through our plan options. Adding more coverage may seem like an inconvenience now, but in the event you need ground or helicopter medical transport, a MASA MTS plan could save you tens of thousands of dollars.

¹ https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2019/feb/health-insurance-coverage-eight-years-after-aca

² https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/22/upshot/ambulance-surprise-medical-bills-law.html

The post How to Check if You’re Covered for Emergency Medical Transportation appeared first on MASA Medical Transportation Coverage.

Are You at Risk?

According to the CDC, the risk of COVID-19 infection increases with age. 8-out-of-10 reported cases involve patients who are 65 and older.¹ Those with underlying conditions such as COPD, weakened immune system, obesity, diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, and sickle cell also have an increased risk. If you belong to any of these high-risk groups, now is a great time to reevaluate your insurance coverage.

Cover Your Bases

Even if you don’t belong to a high-risk group, you should take a moment to get reacquainted with your insurance plan. Copays, deductibles, and the types of services your plan covers are all important things to know. If you are having trouble figuring out exactly what your insurance covers, call the number on the back of your insurance card. Often, insurance companies will connect you with customer service reps that will walk you through the finer points of your coverage.

Prepare for All Possibilities

We know that changing health insurance isn’t exactly an easy or realistic option, especially if you receive coverage through work. However, there are things you can do to strengthen your coverage. The easiest and most effective way to reinforce your insurance is to become a MASA MTS Member.

Emergency Transport During a Pandemic

MASA MTS plans are extremely beneficial when it comes to accidents and emergencies in normal times. With the extra risk now posed by COVID-19, there’s no better time to join. Many people who experience symptoms are told to stay home until the symptoms become too serious to ignore. At that point, many patients may have trouble driving themselves to the hospital. Accordingly, ground and helicopter ambulance rides have become a common component of COVID-19 treatment. When patients experience severe symptoms or difficulty breathing, EMS is often called in to assist with transport. Unfortunately, air ambulance costs are also on the rise, leaving Americans with bills over $36,000.²

Ultimate Peace of Mind

While nobody plans on contracting COVID-19 or suffering from serious complications, we should all be prepared for the worst. When illness or injury strikes, MASA MTS protects you from the excessive costs of emergency transportation. So, instead of worrying about bills while battling symptoms, you can focus on what’s most really important.

The last thing you or your family needs to worry about during an emergency is money. If you are experiencing pain, difficulty breathing, or any other debilitating symptoms, we recommend calling an ambulance right away. With MASA MTS, you don’t have to think twice.

Charter Lifetime Plan

MASA MTS plan provides excellent financial protection for anyone during a pandemic. However, certain age groups are more susceptible to aggressive cases, as mentioned earlier. According to the CDC, rates of COVID-19 hospitalization increase significantly at age 50 and continue to go up from there.³

Thankfully, MASA MTS offers a special service for this exact age range. Our Charter Lifetime Plan covers you at home or overseas, for all emergency transportation needs, for the rest of your life. This plan is paid upfront, includes 15 different services, and is specifically designed for people over 50. In fact, only people who are 50 years or older can qualify for the MASA MTS Charter Lifetime Plan. Not only do you get a great deal on MASA MTS benefits, but you also receive a MyID Bracelet that provides medical professionals quick access to your health history and allergy information.

Trusted Protection in Uncertain Times

Whether you fall into a higher-risk group or are just looking to solidify your emergency coverage, MASA MTS is one of the best options available. So far, COVID-19 has been as unpredictable as the costs associated with emergencies. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. With MASA MTS, you can significantly decrease the risk of financial ruin due to emergency transportation…which is an incredibly valuable service given the current threats faced by most Americans. Not to mention the fact that the #1 cause of bankruptcy is unpaid medical bills.⁴

At the end of the day, we are all looking for physical and financial security. MASA MTS goes the extra mile, providing ultimate peace of mind. When an emergency strikes, we’ll take care of the medical transport bills and let you focus on feeling better.

¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html

² https://www.npr.org/2020/01/29/800725875/why-the-cost-of-air-ambulances-is-rising

³ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html

⁴ https://www.apexedi.com/medical-bills-the-leading-cause-of-bankruptcy-in-the-united-states/

The post Strengthening Your Emergency Medical Transportation Coverage for COVID-19 appeared first on MASA Medical Transportation Coverage.

Probability of Needing Emergency Services

Discussing worst-case scenarios is never enjoyable, but it’s always important to consider. The following statistics give you an idea of how often emergency services are needed, specifically for people age 65 or older:

• 240 million emergency calls are made in the United States every year. (National Emergency Number Association)
• This year, over 30 million Americans will require emergency transportation. (MASA MTS)
• The number of Emergency Department visits increases with age. (BMC Emergency Medicine)
• One in four Americans age 65 or older falls each year. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Older patients have a higher rate of hospitalizations, require more resources, and are at an increased risk of adverse outcome. (National Centre for Health Statistics)

As you can see, the probability of needing emergency services is significantly increased for people over a certain age. As such, it’s important to come to terms with the risk of an accident or illness while grandchildren are in your care.

What Will Happen to Your Grandchildren?

If you experience an emergency while minors are under your supervision, EMS and other authorities would undoubtedly take care of them. However, the amount of time someone supervises your grandchildren will depend on how far you are from home and the seriousness of your condition. If the emergency happens close to home, the parents of your grandchildren will most likely rush to the rescue. If you are out on vacation or traveling, the minor will be stranded for long periods without you or their parents.

Grandchild and Minor Return

MASA memberships provide many useful benefits when unexpected emergencies strike. One of the biggest benefits, especially for grandparents, is minor return. In the event of an emergency, MASA MTS will pay for a one-way air transportation back to the commercial airport nearest to the child’s home. This is an extremely useful perk in regard to the care of your grandchildren and the cost of care in your absence. MASA provides a safety net in the worst of scenarios.

Our Safety Net of Benefits

No matter how you cut it, it’s better to be safe than sorry. For $30 a month or less, you can protect yourself and your family members from huge financial strain. One of our favorite slogans is “MASA Peace of Mind.” Why? Because MASA members know that no matter what happens, they are protected, physically and financially.

If you need air emergency transport to the hospital, it’s covered. If you need your vehicle returned to your place of residence, it’s covered. If you need an organ transported to you, it’s covered. If you feel like you’re having a heart attack and take an ambulance to the hospital, it’s covered. If you need to be flown back home to recover around friends and family, we cover that too. Any medical transport need you can think of, we will cover you.

This membership provides important coverage for anyone over the age of 50. It’s crucial because many of the benefits aren’t covered by your health insurance, but also because it protects the financial security you’ve built over the length of your life. Currently, modern health insurance leaves you exposed to outrageous medical transportation costs. With just one ambulance ride or flight to the hospital, you could find yourself in serious medical debt. MASA fills the gaps left by Medicare and health insurance, making sure you are financially protected in all situations regarding emergency transport. Plus, anyone over the age of 50 is eligible for our Charter Lifetime Membership. This incredible service covers you indefinitely and is an excellent addition to both Medicare and health insurance coverage. No monthly membership, no copays, no deductibles – just solid uninterrupted service.

So, next time you’re planning on bringing the grandkids out on vacation, take a minute to think about what could happen in the worst-case scenario. Don’t put the people you love or your finances at risk. Get comprehensive emergency transportation coverage with MASA MTS. It’s easy, it’s affordable, and it works. You’ve made it too far in life to let sneaky billing practices ruin your financial stability. Modern health insurance won’t protect you the way most assume it will. Give us a call, shoot us an email, or make an appointment for a one-on-one consultation. We would be happy to examine your current coverage and let you know where you’re exposed. After all, we’re here to protect you… Any ground. Any Air. Anywhere.

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