Emergency Transportation Benefit
UFCW Local 99 is proud to partner with Medical Access & Service Advantage (MASA®) to provide financial protection from out-of-pocket costs for emergency medical transport at the preferred, members-only price of $11 a month.
MASA is the leading provider of emergency transportation protection, built to enhance healthcare plans by shielding you against the out-of-pocket costs associated with emergency medical transport.
Plan Highlights
Protection from emergency ground & air ambulance bills
100% of ground & air ambulance providers included, nationwide — no network restrictions.
Support for post-emergency specialized transport
Includes transport between facilities following initial emergency care when you need it most.
Pet return benefits when on the road
If you’re hospitalized away from home, we help get your animals back safely.
One plan to protect the entire family
You, your partner, and all children under age 26 in your household — all covered under a single membership.
UFCW Local 99 Member Benefit
Protected from your first call to your final bill
Get MASA medical transport protection
Enrollment takes minutes. Protection starts the following month.
No network restrictions, family protection for just $11 a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ambulance company can I use?
Any! In the event of an emergency, simply call 911 and get to the hospital. We have a no-network model where we work directly with the ambulance provider to resolve the bill. Our members and their families are protected from out-of-pocket costs, no matter which provider completes the ambulance transport within the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.
Will you pay my copay or deductible?
Yes, when it is applicable to your ambulance bill. Our goal is to leave you with complete peace of mind. MASA protection for out-of-pocket costs includes copays, coinsurance, and deductibles associated with your ambulance bill.
When should I call you?
Always call 911 for an emergency. Once you receive a bill from the emergency medical transportation ambulance provider, you can submit it to MASA through the member portal or via email.
Who is protected?
Our family memberships cover you, your partner, and all children under the age of 26 in your household.
How much does an ambulance ride cost?
The average ground ambulance bill is $2,086, and the average air ambulance bill is $72,469.¹ Depending on which provider picks you up, the personnel on board, the care needed, and the number of miles you travel, your bill can get expensive.
Why would an ambulance be out-of-network?
There are over 27,000 ambulance companies operating in the United States.² Some companies are run by cities and states, others are run by local or national private companies. Many insurance plans only cover in-network ground ambulance companies. Even if you’re heading to an in-network hospital, the ground ambulance itself could be out-of-network and leave you with a “balance bill”. We offer protection for ALL ambulance companies operating within the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and while traveling in Canada.
Why might I have to pay out-of-pocket for an ambulance bill?
The ambulance that picks you up may be out-of-network, the reason for your trip may not be deemed a medical necessity, or you might still have to meet your health insurance deductible, copay, or coinsurance. Research shows that there’s nearly a 60% chance you could be responsible for a large portion of your ground emergency transportation bill.³
What is medical necessity?
Medical necessity is established when any other transportation method besides an ambulance would endanger the patient’s life. For example, let’s say you’re experiencing symptoms associated with a heart attack and end up taking an ambulance to the hospital. If your health insurance decides that the cause of your symptoms, perhaps indigestion, heartburn, or a panic attack, doesn’t meet their requirements for an ambulance, they could deny your claim and potentially leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars.
Once I enroll, when will my protection become effective?
Protection will become effective on the first day of the month following completion of the enrollment form.
Once I enroll, when will my payments be deducted?
Your payments will be automatically deducted on the last business day of each month.
¹ MASA group business claims data, 2025. Based upon the enactment of certain legal protections regarding surprise medical billing, actual member liability may be less than the provider’s charges.
² IBISWorld – Industry Market Research – Ambulance Services Industry Report, 2023
³ FAIR Health, 2023
Need Assistance?
Getting the most from your membership benefits is simple. Submit your ambulance bill through the online member portal or by email within 180 days of the emergency. The MASA Member Services team is ready to provide compassionate, real-time support when you need it most.
Call Member Services
Submit a Claim Online
Email Your Bill
Disclaimers & Descriptions
This material is for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage. Not all MASA products and services are available to residents of all states. For a complete list of coverage and exclusions, please refer to the applicable member services agreement or policy for your state. For additional information and disclosures about MASA plans, visit: info.masamts.com/masa-mts-disclaimers
If a member has a high deductible health plan (“HDHP”) that is compatible with a health savings account (“HSA”), benefits may become available under the MASA membership for expenses incurred for medical care (as defined under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 213(d)) once a member satisfies the applicable statutory minimum deductible under IRC section 223(c) for HDHP coverage that is compatible with an HSA.
Out-Of-Pocket Expenses are costs that remain after applying any primary insurance that needs to be paid for by the insured with personal financial resources.
