Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Humboldt General Hospital EMS Rescue GROUNDGold
Ground Transport Membership Program?
Citizens who reside within the Humboldt General Hospital EMS Rescue service
area, which includes all of Humboldt County, portions of Lander and Pershing
counties and southern Oregon.
Is the GROUNDGold Ground Transport Membership Program a medical insurance policy?
No.
GROUNDGold is not an insurance policy, nor is it intended to be a substitute for
medical insurance.
Do I have to hold a valid medical insurance policy to be eligible?
Yes. All persons listed for membership must have medical insurance, or
coverage under another medical benefit provider. Medicare is considered
a medical benefit provider.
Will my insurance or provider be billed for services?
Yes. Any balance not paid by your insurance or provider (co-pays, deductible,
etc.) will be paid on your behalf by
GROUNDGold to satisfy the full balance on your account.
Will I see a bill from Humboldt General Hospital EMS Rescue?
No. You will not be billed for any balance not paid by your insurance or
provider. However, you may receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) or
remittance advice from your insurance company or provider. It may indicate
that you owe a portion of the claim. This is not a bill, and simply communicates
the amount paid to HGH EMS Rescue for the claim. Under normal circumstances,
you would be responsible for the remaining balance, but with membership,
you owe nothing from your own pocket.
Does my GROUNDGold membership cover visitors to my home or business?
No. Only permanent residents of the home, who are listed for membership
on the application/renewal form, are eligible for benefits.
Does my GROUNDGold membership cover scheduled and/or routine ambulance
transports?
No. Only 9-1-1 activated emergency transports will be covered. Additionally,
GROUNDGold covers medically necessary transports to or from a medical facility. Transport
by any other ambulance service is not covered, nor is any type of air
transport, including helicopters or fixed wing aircraft.
Do I have to call 9-1-1 from my home to receive membership benefits?
No. Any emergency transport made within the
GROUNDGold membership boundaries is covered. For instance, if you call for emergency
transport from a Winnemucca grocery store, that would be covered. If you
call 9-1-1 for emergency transport from a mall in Reno, that would not
be covered, as we do not respond in the City of Reno.
Will you let me know when my annual membership expires?
Yes. You will receive a notice indicating that your membership is set to
expire approximately two to three weeks before the expiration date. At
that time, you will be given the opportunity to renew your membership.
Will I receive a membership card?
Yes. Your
GROUNDGold Ground Transport Membership Program card will include your member information
as well as the expiration date for your membership. It would be helpful
for you to carry it in your wallet, but we will also have your information on file.
Click here to download the
GroundGold Ground Transport Membership Program brochure
Click here to enroll in the
GroundGold Ground Transport Membership Program.