A NOVA Subscription provides peace of mind for you and family members should you need emergency medical transportation services.  The NOVA subscription program benefits you by ensuring your out-of-pocket expenses for ambulance services are kept to a minimum, or in some cases, eliminated. 

How much does it cost for a subscription?  For a single subscriber, the cost is $45 per year; a family subscription is $75 per year.  A family subscription is only applicable to those who permanently reside at your residence.  Subscriptions are valid for the calendar year, January – December.  Subscriptions costs are not prorated; all 2024 subscriptions expire December 31, 2024.

Who is eligible to become a subscriber of NOVA?  Residents of Heidelberg, North Whitehall, Washington, and a portion of Lowhill Townships, and the Boroughs of Slatington and Walnutport. 

What types of services are included in the subscription program?

• Emergency Medical Services Ambulance Transportation
• Urgent Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation (contingent upon ambulance availability).  NOVA does not provide non-emergency transportation for appointments.  Urgent non-emergency ambulance transportation includes facility to facility, home to facility, or facility to home transportation.
• Discounted Wheelchair Transportation with a designated provider

What if another EMS company provides my Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Ambulance Transportation?  NOVA has reciprocal agreements with most of the surrounding emergency medical services ambulance companies, which means that they will provide you with a benefit if they come to your aid in NOVA’s primary coverage area during an emergency.  Note – subscriber benefits may vary from NOVA subscription benefits based on reciprocal agreements.

What if another EMS company provides my Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Ambulance Transportation when I am outside of NOVA’s primary coverage area?  There is no subscription benefit outside of NOVA’s primary coverage area.  NOVA’s primary coverage area is Heidelberg, North Whitehall, Washington, and a portion of Lowhill Townships, and the Boroughs of Slatington and Walnutport.

Do I need a subscription if I have Health Insurance?  Yes.  NOVA will file a claim with your insurance carrier for medically necessary emergency medical services rendered, but most insurance carriers only pay a portion of the charges for ambulance services – leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses.  Your NOVA subscription reduces your liability for cost-sharing amounts (copayments, coinsurance, uninsured) by up to $500 per medically necessary emergency ambulance trip and 25% for urgent non-emergency ambulance transportation.  You are responsible for the full amount of your deductible.

Insurance companies review and consider the need for an ambulance as they would for any other medical expense.   For emergency medical services not covered by insurance, your subscription reduces your financial liability by up to $500 per emergency medical service (Emergency Medical Services Ambulance Transportation and Patient Transportation Refusals). 

NOVA recommends you review your health insurance benefits to determine your emergency medical services ambulance coverage.

I have Medicare or Medicare HMO.  Will a subscription benefit me?  Yes.  Medicare and Medicare HMO have copayments and coinsurance that you will be responsible to pay.  If Medicare or Medicare HMO determines ambulance transportation was not medically necessary, the subscriber will only be responsible to pay the “allowable” amount (this is the amount Medicare or Medicare HMO approved to be paid, not the full ambulance transportation charge.) 

What if I am a Medicaid recipient?  By law, Medicaid (medical assistance) recipients are prohibited from participating in this subscription program as it would not provide you with any additional benefits.

I received a check from my insurance company for services rendered.  What should I do with it?  Both subscribers and non-subscribers are responsible for forwarding all payments received from their insurance carrier to NOVA immediately upon receipt.

Will I receive a subscription card in the mail?  No. Your information is stored in our database and there is no need to provide a card to show proof of your subscription for services.

Is my subscription fee tax deductible?  Subscription fees are NOT tax deductible. Donations may be tax deductible.