Membership Terms and Conditions

Rural Medevac Alliance (RMA) is an air ambulance transport company. This membership ensures that you will incur no out-of-pocket costs for air ambulance transport provided by RMA, as it covers services not paid for by insurance, benefits, or other third-party liability, subject to the following terms:

  1. Eligibility for Air Transport
    Air ambulance transport will be provided to the closest appropriate medical facility for conditions deemed life- or limb-threatening, or those that could cause permanent disability, requiring emergency air transport. The medical professionals from RMA will decide if air transport is necessary, based on the patient's condition. RMA retains full discretion over whether transport is provided.

  2. Availability of Services
    RMA air ambulance services may not always be available due to factors outside the RMA’s control. These may include aircraft availability, weather conditions, equipment limitations, operational requirements, or patient-specific factors such as age, size, or medical condition. Safety is the primary concern, and FAA restrictions may prevent flights in certain weather conditions.

  3. Insurance and Third-Party Responsibility
    If you have insurance or benefits (including health, auto, homeowners, workers’ compensation, government programs, or any other type of coverage) that partially or fully cover air ambulance services, you remain financially responsible for any remaining costs not covered by those sources. By paying the membership fee, RMA will consider the cost of services not covered by any available insurance or third-party responsibility as prepaid.
    RMA reserves the right to seek payment directly from your insurance, benefits providers, or any responsible third party for services rendered, as they would for any non-member patient. You authorize these parties to pay any covered amounts directly to RMA.

  4. Member Payment Obligations
    Members must remit any payment received from their insurance or third-party providers for services rendered by RMA, up to the amount charged by RMA. This does not count as an out-of-pocket expense for the member, as it originates from third-party payments. Failure to remit these payments is considered a material breach of membership, and RMA reserves the right to seek full payment from the member.

  5. Not Insurance
    Please note that RMA is not an insurance provider. Membership is not considered insurance, nor can it be used as a supplement or secondary coverage to any other insurance policies. RMA will not be responsible for any services provided by ambulance services outside of RMA.

  6. Membership Activation
    Membership becomes active 24 hours after RMA receives a completed application and full payment. However, this waiting period will be waived if a member requires emergency air transport during this time.

  7. Medicaid Restrictions
    Due to state laws, individuals who are Medicaid beneficiaries may not be offered membership or accepted into the program. By applying for membership, you confirm that you are not a Medicaid beneficiary.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

  1. Liability Cap:
    The liability of Rural Medevac Alliance (RMA) and its Providers for any breach of these Terms and Conditions is limited to the actual damages incurred, which will not exceed the following:
    a. The amount actually received by RMA in violation of these Terms and Conditions, and
    b. The Membership Fee paid by the Member for the applicable Membership Term.

  2. No Liability for Certain Damages:
    In no event will RMA be held liable for any incidental, special, or consequential damages of any kind arising from or in connection with the Membership Program or these Terms and Conditions, even if RMA has been advised of the possibility of such damages. This applies regardless of whether the claim is based on contract, negligence, strict liability, tort, or any other legal theory.

  3. Acknowledgment of Risk Allocation:
    The Member acknowledges and agrees that the liability limitations in these Terms and Conditions reflect an agreed-upon allocation of risk. Without these limitations, the terms would be significantly different.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

  1. Applicable Law:
    Any matters related to the RMA Membership Program, these Terms and Conditions, or their subject matter will be governed by the laws of the United States, including the Federal Arbitration Act, and, to the extent not preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of Nevada. This will apply regardless of any conflict of law principles.

  2. Preemption by Federal Law:
    Federal law takes precedence over state and local laws, regulations, and provisions, including common law duties regarding rates, routes, or services of air carriers.

  3. Incorporation of State Laws:
    If state laws make the inclusion of common law duties or state laws in contracts optional, both RMA and the Member agree that this contract does not incorporate any such common law duties or state laws.

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT

  1. Binding Arbitration:
    Any dispute arising from the RMA Membership Program, these Terms and Conditions, or the subject matter thereof will be resolved through binding arbitration. A single arbitrator will be selected according to the Consumer Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, modified by these Terms and Conditions. Arbitration will take place in Reno, Nevada.

  2. No Class Action Arbitration:
    Claims may not be arbitrated on a class action, joint, or consolidated basis, nor may they be brought in a representative capacity on behalf of other members or individuals. Relief will be awarded solely in favor of the individual party seeking it and only to the extent necessary for that specific claim.

  3. Arbitrator's Authority:
    The arbitrator does not have the authority to award attorney's fees, costs, or equitable relief. If the class action prohibition or any other part of the arbitration agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the rest of these Terms and Conditions will remain in effect.

  4. Dispute Resolution Efforts:
    Before resorting to arbitration, the Member agrees to first contact RMA to resolve the dispute in good faith.

MODIFICATION OF TERMS

  1. Supersedes Previous Agreements:
    These Terms and Conditions replace all previous agreements between the Member and RMA including written or verbal representations regarding the Membership Program.

  2. Amendments:
    Any modifications or amendments to these Terms and Conditions must be made in writing and signed by the CEO of RMA. Oral modifications, trade usage, or conduct do not modify these terms.

California Resident

A Word from the California Department of Managed Health Care:

  1. Before You Purchase:

    • Important Information: If you are currently enrolled in a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or another health insurance plan, the benefits provided by the Ambulance Plan may overlap with those offered by your HMO or other health insurance.

    • Action to Take: If you have any questions about whether your HMO or other health insurance provides coverage for ambulance services, contact your insurance provider directly.

  2. Warning:

    • Not an Insurance Program: This Ambulance Plan is not an insurance program and will not compensate or reimburse another ambulance company that may provide emergency transportation to you or your family.

    • When This May Apply: This situation can arise when the 911 Emergency System determines that another ambulance company is able to provide more timely service or is the next in the rotation to receive a call. It may also occur if this Ambulance Plan is unable to respond within an appropriate timeframe due to a mechanical issue, maintenance problems, or being engaged in another call.

  3. Complaints:

    • Initial Steps: If you have complaints regarding the Ambulance Plan or have questions, you should first contact Rural Medevac Alliance at 1-844-704-8880.

    • Further Action: If RMA does not resolve the complaint to your satisfaction, you may contact the Department of Managed Health Care at 1-888-466-2219.

    • Additional Resources: Visit the Department’s website at www.healthhelp.ca.gov to obtain complaint forms and instructions.

  4. Operating Under Conditional Exemption:

    • Exemption Information: This Ambulance Plan is operating under an exemption from the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 (Health and Safety Code section 1340 et seq.).