Med-Trans still accepting membership applications By Trisha MaldonadoDouglas Dispatch Med-Trans air medical transportation continues to accept membership applications in Douglas. Living miles away from a medical facility better equipped to handle complications and emergencies has created a need for air medical transport in life threatening emergencies. Even if an individual has medical insurance, an emergency medical flight can leave unexpected out of pocket expenses. Med-Trans provides air medical transportation for $60 a year. They have also partnered with the City of Douglas to provide this service to the community at a more affordable and convenient way of paying for the membership. Once a participant becomes a member they can opt to either pay the $60 in full or have a $5 monthly fee attached to their water bill. If the member has insurance Med-Trans will cover what the insurance did not. If the member does not have insurance Med-Trans membership will cover the entire cost of the air transport. Med-Trans membership support helps subsidize the program; this is how they are able to provide the service at such a low cost. There is no limit to the number of flights a member may take in a year. Each flight is handled the same way and must be medically necessary. With a household membership, all individuals who reside at the residence can be covered by the membership. College students can be covered by the household membership if their primary address is the same as the member’s address. In July of 2012 City of Douglas employees were offered the service and they had an estimated 80 households sign up. As of January this service has been offered to the entire community of Douglas and more than 60 households have signed up so far. People wanting to sign up for the service can do so by picking up an application at the water department or the Douglas Fire Department or by going to Med-Trans website at mtcmembership.com. |