37 - Between a Hospital and an approved Facility. Ambulance services are subject to Medical Necessity reviews by the Claims Administrator. Emergency ground ambulance services do not require precertification and are allowed regardless of whether the Provider is a Participating or Non-Participating Provider. Non-Emergency ambulance services are subject to Medical Necessity reviews by the Claims Administrator. When using an air ambulance, for non-Emergency transportation, the Claims Administrator reserves the right to select the air ambulance Provider. If you do not use the air ambulance Provider we select no benefits may be available. You must be taken to the nearest Facility that can give care for your condition. In certain cases the Claims Administrator may approve benefits for transportation to a Facility that is not the nearest Facility. Benefits also include Medically Necessary treatment of a sickness or injury by medical professionals from an ambulance service, even if you are not taken to a Facility. Ambulance services are not covered when another type of transportation can be used without endangering your health. Ambulance services for your convenience or the convenience of your family or Doctor are not a Covered Service. Other non-covered ambulance services include, but are not limited to, trips to: a) A Doctor’s office or clinic; b) A morgue or funeral home. Important Notes on Air Ambulance Benefits Benefits are only available for air ambulance when it is not appropriate to use a ground or water ambulance. For example, if using a ground ambulance would endanger your health and your medical condition requires a more rapid transport to a Facility than the ground ambulance can provide, the Plan will cover the air ambulance. Air ambulance will also be covered if you are in an area that a ground or water ambulance cannot reach. Air ambulance will not be covered if you are taken to a Hospital that is not an acute care Hospital (such as a Skilled Nursing Facility), or if you are taken to a Physician’s office or your home. Hospital to Hospital Transport If you are moving from one Hospital to another, air ambulance will only be covered if using a ground ambulance would endanger your health and if the Hospital that first treats cannot give you the medical services you need. Certain specialized services are not available at all Hospitals. For example, burn care, cardiac care, trauma care, and critical care are only available at certain Hospitals. To be covered, you must be taken to the closest Hospital that can treat you. Coverage is not available for air ambulance transfers simply because you, your family, or your Provider prefers a specific Hospital or Physician. Athletic Trainer Services Your Plan covers services from an Athletic Trainer who is licensed under applicable state law and provides physical medicine and rehabilitative services within their scope of practice. Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
2025 Retiree Indemnity Plan Booklet Page 37 Page 39