RescueCare Agreement Terms

The following agreement terms apply to all members of RescueCare:

  • RescueCare is sponsored by the City of Whitefish and is a voluntary program that provides ambulance service to its members for a membership fee of only $59 per year for city residents and property owners, or $185 per year for residents outside of city limits but still within the Whitefish ambulance service area.
  • People residing within the Whitefish ambulance service area are eligible to join RescueCare by properly completing the attached application form and upon payment of the annual membership fee.
    • Coverage begins upon acceptance of the application by the City, and upon receipt of the appropriate membership fee.
  • RescueCare runs July through June. You can purchase RescueCare anytime during the year for the full amount, with the membership expiring June 30th.
    • All memberships expire June 30th, regardless of enrollment date and the fee is the same regardless of when you enroll.
    • There will be no refunds of enrollment fee if you cancel RescueCare coverage prior to expiration date.
    • A renewal notice will be sent in June for the following year.
  • A membership in RescueCare covers applicable patient out-of-pocket expenses for medically necessary emergency and certain non-emergency ambulance care, and for ambulance transportation within the Whitefish ambulance service area.
    • The City’s ambulance service area includes the City of Whitefish and an area slightly larger than the Whitefish Fire Service Area.
    • Non-emergency ambulance services must be pre-approved and must be medically necessary.
  • In addition to payment of an annual fee, members are required to assign to the City all of their rights and benefits for ambulance service from all insurance policies, plans or other programs that they may have, including all rights in any claim or third party recovery, up to but not exceeding the total dollar amount of ambulance services incurred, where ambulance services were provided by the City.
    • Members agree to provide all insurance information at the time of submitting the application.
    • If any person covered under this RescueCare membership receives any payment for ambulance services provided by the City, that person must immediately send such payment to the City.
    • In addition, RescueCare members authorize the release of medical and other information by or to the City as necessary for appropriate ambulance billing.
  • In dealing with a member’s insurance company, members authorize a copy of this agreement to be used instead of the original agreement.
    • Members also assign and authorize payment of benefits for ambulance services directly to the city, according to the terms of the RescueCare agreement and as itemized on appropriate claim forms.
    • A member’s annual membership fee covers any applicable deductible, co-insurance, or other co-payment amounts and a member directs that the usual and customary ambulance reimbursement from the member’s insurance company be sent directly to the City.
  • Since a member is only charged $59 (in city limits) or $185 (outside city limits) annual membership fee, the City is entitled to bill a member’s insurance or other coverage for ambulance service that the City provides, and the City is entitled to recover from such insurance company or coverage all benefits paid for ambulance services, up to the total amount of services provided.
    • RescueCare members agree to cooperate and assist the City as necessary in any effort to bill and collect ambulance reimbursement from their insurance company, including the completion of appropriate claim forms.
    • Members are also required to provide the City with all information requested concerning their insurance policies, plans or other benefit programs they have, and any third-party recovery.
    • In the event of a change in insurance information, the member agrees to notify the City immediately of such change.
  • A member’s RescueCare coverage extends to all household members who are permanent residents of the same single family (noncommercial) dwelling, within the City’s ambulance service area, living together as a family unit, but excluding mere roomers or boarders.
    • Membership benefits also extend to include household members living in nursing homes or other substitute care facilities in the City’s ambulance service area.
    • Those not included in the household membership are required to obtain their own membership.
  • RescueCare coverage does not entitle a member to be picked up or transported outside of the City’s ambulance service area.
  • The first individual listed on an application form is termed the "Primary Member."
    • Someone joining a household after the membership takes effect can be included under the membership from the date that the "Primary Member" notifies RescueCare of the new household member.
    • To be eligible for RescueCare benefits, a person must meet the membership eligibility requirements and be listed in the membership records at the time that ambulance services are provided.
  • With reasonable notice to the RescueCare members, the City reserves the right to modify, delete, add to, or otherwise alter the program terms and conditions.
    • The City shall, in its sole discretion, be entitled to interpret membership terms and conditions.
    • A violation of the terms of this agreement may result in a membership revocation, forfeiture of benefits of membership, and an obligation to pay all balances in full.
  • Persons receiving welfare or Medicaid need not be members of RescueCare to have full coverage for services covered by RescueCare.
  • A membership is nontransferable and once paid, is non-refundable.