ROSS/WEST VIEW EMSA
COMMON SUBSCRIPTION DRIVE
QUESTIONS
Q
What
number do I call for
Emergencies?
A
All residents and visitors of
Millvale, Ohio, Reserve, Ross,
and West View should call 911
for medical emergencies!
Q
What is a family membership?
A
Anyone residing under the same
roof in the same residential
dwelling for any period of time
greater than (3) months with the
exception of apartment complexes
is considered a family. However
we are flexible with visiting
relatives who are injured or
sick while staying with you.
Duplexes are considered two
residents even if they are
related. Apartment complexes
are listed by the number on the
apartment.
Q
I thought my taxes paid for
ambulance service?
A
Ross/West View E.M.S. receives
no tax monies and relies on the
support of the community. Remember
that your contribution is tax
deductible.
Q
Why should
I contribute when my employer
takes an "EMS TAX" out of
my paycheck?
A.
This is a recent misconception
that has been prompted by the
change in designation of the
former “Occupation Tax”. The
newly designated “Emergency
Municipal Services” tax was
shortened to the acronym “EMS
Tax”, which is how it is
documented on one’s payroll
statement. This tax is not
distributed to or shared with
Ross/West View.
Q
Why should I send a subscription
in, I have insurance?
A
Your subscriptions not only help
us to exist and maintain the
highest quality of professional
care, but it also protects you
against any unnecessary expenses
which you may incur if you have
not met your deductible or
expenses that insurance may not
cover.
Q
My Name is not on my card:
A
In the past, we have had too
many problems with incorrect
names being placed on member’s
cards. To correct this, we
decided not to place names on
any card. If you are the
recipient and holder of the
card, that is sufficient to
document your coverage.
Q
Where should I send my
subscription?
Ross/West View E.M.S.A.
5325 Perry Highway
Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Q
Will I receive a
Receipt?
A
Your
canceled check is your receipt
if you paid by MasterCard/ Visa you
will receive a sales slip in the
mail; if you paid in cash, a receipt
will be issued.
Q
I haven't received my
subscription yet.
A
Mailings began on March 14, 2008
from the bulk mailing center.
Please allow 1 week and if you
still have not received a
subscription, please call us. Be
prepared to give us your name
and address and we will have one
mailed the same day.
Q
What if I need an ambulance
before I'm signed up?
A
This is not a problem. We are flexible with
your subscription and there is a
30 day grace period. Although
the time runs from April 1 to
April 1, we allow you until
April 30 to receive the
subscription.
Q
What does this subscription
entitle me to?
A
Your subscription not only helps
us to exist but, you are
entitled to an unlimited number
of emergency ambulance usages
without incurring any
unnecessary expenses such as
deductibles.
Q
Why should I sign the back of
the card?
A
This
provides us a right to third
party billing which means we
will invoice the insurance
company directly and they will
pay us for the ambulance trip.
If you are a subscriber,
whatever the insurance company
pays is considered payment in
full even if you have not met
your deductible. If you do not
subscribe you will receive an
invoice for the outstanding
amount.
Q
My mother lives with us but her
last name is different.
A
Just make sure when you list the
family members on the back of
your subscription that you
include both the first and last
names of anyone who has a
different last name.
Q
I'm divorced and sometimes my
spouse has the children.
Who should list them?
A
The person who has the majority
of custody should list the
children. If you feel you both need them
to be listed it helps if you reference
their other address.
Q
I need additional cards for my
family!
A
Only one card is needed per
family. After we’ve received
your subscription, we not only
have you in our computer as a
member, but we also keep all
subscription cards on file so we
have a dual way of checking your
status as a member.
Q
I'm moving
within Ross Township, West View
Borough, Reserve Township,
Millvale Borough or Ohio
Township this year, what should
I do?
A
When you move into the new
residence call the business
office at (412) 931-8200 with a
change of address and we will
correct it for you at the time
you call.
Q.
Do I have to pay again? I
just contributed to the "Project
Renovation" Campaign.
A. Your
generous, tax-deductible
“Project Renovation” Campaign
donation was separate from your
Ross/West View subscription
payment.
Q.
I know that Ross/West View
provides Non-Emergency ambulance
transport and wheelchair van
transports, but are they covered
by my subscription?
A.
Some types of non-emergency
ambulance transports are covered
if the patient’s condition, at
the time of transport, meets
pre-determined Medicare, or
other healthcare provider
requirements. At present,
Medicare and most other
healthcare providers do not
provide reimbursement for
wheelchair van transportation. A
Ross/West View
Telecommunications Specialist
will work one-on-one with you or
your family member to determine
the most appropriate,
cost-effective, mode of
non-emergency transportation.
Subscribers can benefit from an
affordable cost for non-covered,
non-emergency transportation
services.
Q.
I know that Ross/West View EMS
bills my third party insurance
for my ambulance trip.
What should I do if my insurance
company sends me a check related
to ambulance service that has
been provided by Ross/West View?
A.
All recipients of service are
required to forward all
reimbursement received from the
insurance company to Ross/West
View for services rendered.
This policy is outlined in the
terms and conditions of the
subscription agreement, which is
available upon request.
Q.
Does my subscription provide
coverage outside of my
community?
A.
Yes. The Northeast
Ambulance Alliance, to which
Ross/West View belongs, has a
reciprocal agreement for
emergency ambulance services with
several other participating
service in the surrounding area.
To inquire about the other communities
covered, call (412) 931-8200
