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Northlake approves MASA transport-coverage program with automatic residential enrollment
Summary
Council approved a MASA emergency-transport coverage program (effective Feb. 1) that automatically enrolls residential accounts with an opt-out via the town's water-billing portal; MASA and Hub International said the program covers ground and air transports across providers and provides a simple claims portal.
NorthlakeTown Council voted Jan. 8 to implement a residential emergency transport-coverage program offered by MASA, after a presentation by Hub International consultant Rodney Dryden and MASA representative Will Winters.
The program covers both ground and air ambulance transports from any provider in the U.S. and Canada, MasA representatives said, and is intended to reduce residents' reluctance to call for emergency transport because of potential bills. MASA described a package of benefits the company calls the "Essentials" plan: example benefit levels cited during the presentation included $750 that would offset typical ground-ambulance charges and $7,500 for certain high-cost air or higher-level transports; MASA said benefit levels and actual insurer adjudication would affect the final amount paid.
Enrollment will be automatic for residential water accounts to achieve a pool large enough to set an insurance rate; residents may opt out through a portal linked to the town's billing system or by contacting the town. MASA said claims are filed by uploading a bill or Explanation of Benefits to the member portal or emailing claims; the company said it routinely works with providers and insurers to resolve charges and negotiate balances.
Council members asked how the program applies to municipal Emergency Service District (ESD) transports; staff and consultants said the ESD can still bill and that MASA payments can shorten revenue cycles for providers and may provide an additional revenue stream to local ambulance services. Hub International and MASA said the program also benefits uninsured residents and Medicare beneficiaries.
Council approved the program by a 6–1 vote, with an effective date of Feb. 1 or as soon as administratively possible. Council directed staff to begin outreach (Facebook, water-bill inserts and other channels) to explain enrollment, benefits and how to opt out.
Ending: The council asked staff to begin public education immediately and to make the opt-out process easy to access; no appeal or rescission was discussed at the meeting.
