$39 single $59 family

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are many of the common questions we receive
concerning our ambulance membership program. Our
goal is to always help you make informed decisions when
it comes to your health care benefits and services.

Who can join PriorityCare?

All Union County residents may join Priority Care. Memberships are available for both individuals and families. Membership is good with
both ProMed Ambulance and El Dorado Fire Department EMS.

Do I have to be a member to receive ambulance services?

No. As dedicated 9-1-1 EMS providers, ProMed Ambulance or El Dorado Fire Dept. EMS will respond to your medical emergency each time
you request an ambulance. In life or limb threatening emergencies, there's never a question as to your ability to pay. Our focus is soley on
providing you and your family with high quality, professional paramedic advanced life support services.

For scheduled (non-emergent or general ambulance services) both agencies will verify and arrange for fee-for-service payment prior to
services being provided. The providers will work with directly with your insurance company and may not require payment up front for these
services. However, in some circumstances, pre-payment may be required for non-covered services.

Does being a member benefit my community?

YES! Being a PriorityCare member provides you with direct, cost saving benefits each time an ambulance is needed. And, becoming a
PriorityCare member supports our local emergency medical services (EMS) system. Our membership base - one of Arkansas' most
comprehensive programs of its kind -- helps us provide the highest level of care in rural areas where having a quick response time to
critical medical situations can save lives.

What if I decide not to join?

You will still get the same great service you’ve come to expect, but you will be responsible for 100% of the bill.

Individual? Family? ... Who can be covered under a membership?

There are two types of memberships available -- single and family plans.

Single memberships can be purchased by individuals. Family memberships include husband, wife, and any unmarried children under
age 21 living at the primary member's residence, or under age 24 if full time students. Other persons in the residence (elder care or other
dependents) require a separate individual membership if the person receives any income benefits such as SSI or disability benefits.
Special waivers may be granted with prior approval. Contact our customer care center if you would like to discuss your special
circumstances.

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Is there a limit on the number of ambulance transports?

There is no limit to the number of ambulance transports that a member may require each year. Each call is given the highest level of care
and attention it deserves.

If I am a member and end up being transported by another ambulance service or a
medical helicopter, who is responsible for the bill?

As a PriorityCare member, you receive member benefits only if ProMed Ambulance or El Dorado Fire Department EMS transports you.
You will be responsible for the charges by the other service. Many times, arrangement for air transport is made by your physician and
therefore, PriorityCare is not responsible for any unexpected charges that may result if arrangements are made for other medical
transportation.

Is membership considered insurance or a supplement?

No. A PriorityCare ambulance membership is not an insurance policy and cannot be considered as secondary insurance coverage or as
supplemental coverage to any insurance policy. Membership provides prepaid discounts on certain fee-for-service ambulance charges
when ambulance service fees exceed a member’s health insurance or medical benefits.

I have Medicare and a supplemental policy, do I need a membership?

Many times, Medicare and supplemental insurance coverage pays for the cost of an ambulance transport if it is medically necessary and if
Medicare believes transport was to the closest appropriate facility. We often see situations where the supplemental insurance provider does
not cover a remaining balance after Medicare has paid its portion. Many people maintain a PriorityCare ambulance membeship even if they
have complete coverage, in the event that their insurance coverage changes in the future or if the claim is denied.

Can other ambulance services honor my membership? 

Based on several legal opinions and careful study of law, we don't believe other ambulance services (air or ground) can honor your
PriorityCare membership. Federal law prohibits the routine waiver of co-pays for services covered by Medicare or Medicaid.  However,
through an ambulance membership program, membership fees are collected in lieu of the collection of co-pays. Our program must collect
more in annual membership fees than we routinely waive in co-pays and deductibles.Therefore, if another provider, who has collected
nothing in advance, were to "honor" our program and routinely waive your co-pay or deductible, it is our opinion that they would be in violation
of Medicare and Medicaid standards.

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Which service providers are covered under a PriorityCare membership?

PriorityCare is a joint membership program for ProMed Ambulance and El Dorado Fire Dept. EMS. El Dorado Fire Dept. EMS is the 9-1-1 and
general ambulance transport provider for the City of El Dorado, Arkansas. ProMed Ambulance is the 9-1-1 and general ambulance service
provider for the remainder of Union County, Arkansas. Services provided by either service, directly or through mutual assistance, are covered
under the membership plan.

Is there a waiting period before benefits become available?

During the annual membership drive (open enrollment period), benefits are immediately available upon receipt and acceptance of your
application and fees. Outside of the open enrollment period, members must wait 10 days before benefits become available. By
concentrating our marketing and enrollment efforts during the annual membership drive (Oct 1 - Nov 30 each year), we are able to keep the
cost of a membership low and affordable.

How do I enroll in PriorityCare?

Enrolling is easy. Print and complete a MEMBER APPLICATION and mail along with your annual fee. You may also contact the
Customer Care Center and speak with a membership specialist who can take your information over the phone. We can process a secure
credit card payment over the phone making your membership immediately available.

CUSTOMER CARE CENTER 1-800-634-0436 or local (870) 875-2273 M-F 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Do I need a membership if my insurance company says they will pay 100% of
ambulance charges?

While we have no way of knowing for sure what policy limits may be in place or what restrictions may be placed on ambulance services,
most insurance companies only pay 100% of what they deem an allowable amount for ambulance service. There are often non-allowed
charges that you may be responsible for, and transports between hospitals are often not covered unless there is a severe, life threatening
condition. You will want to check with your individual insurance company to find out exactly how much they will cover for ambulance trans-
portation. Each insurance company offers different plans and coverage. It is up to your insurance company as to whether they will cover
ambulance charges, as well as to the amount of economic burden placed on the patient due to a co-pay or deductible. Why take chances?
PriorityCare helps buffer these unexpected fees when coverage is not what it may seem to be.

How will PriorityCare work with my insurance company?

The ambulance provider will file with any available insurance each time an ambulance is needed. For covered services, the amount paid
will be accepted as payment in full. If no benefits are available, members will receive a 40% discount off the normal fees. Non-members
are billed for 100% of the charges each time the ambulance is used.

If I have Medicaid only, do I need a membership?

No. Arkansas state laws prohibit Medicaid beneficiaries from being offered membership or accepted into membership programs. Our
membership application clearly states that individuals who have only Medicaid coverage should not join the PriorityCare ambulance
membership program.

SPECIAL PROGRAM NOTICES

A PriorityCare Ambulance Membership is NOT an insurance policy or supplement plan.

Individuals with Medicaid only coverage (no other benefits) SHOULD NOT join PriorityCare as you already have benefits for covered
ambulance services.

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