What is UT Health East Texas EMS?
In 2018, through the combination of East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System (ETMC) and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UT Health Northeast), UT Health East Texas was formed. ETMC EMS became UT Health East Texas EMS. We are one of Texas’ largest private, not-for-profit providers of emergency ambulance service. Our regional trauma care system is part of the UT Health East Texas System, with a flagship healthcare center in Tyler and a network of regional hospitals offering advanced care in a variety of services: bariatric health, behavioral health, cancer, cardiovascular health, digestive diseases, Level I trauma and emergency centers, neurological health, orthopedics, and wound healing services.
What number do I call for an ambulance?
Call 911 in the event of an emergency, and the EMS that serves you will be contacted.
Where are your ambulances located?
Our ambulances are strategically stationed throughout the service area, allowing us to respond swiftly to every call in our service area.
Does UT Health East Texas membership include air transport?
No, UT Health East Texas EMS membership no longer includes emergency air transport.
If I live in a rural area, how do I know if I am in the UT Health East Texas EMS service area?
Call your sheriff’s department. They can tell you which ambulance service will be sent to your household.
Will UT Health East Texas EMS take me to the hospital of my choice?
Yes, you will be taken to the hospital of your choice, unless specific medical conditions require a higher level of care than is available at the facility you requested. In that case, UT Health East Texas EMS will take you to the nearest hospital providing the level of care required.
How can I apply for UT Health East Texas EMS membership?
Click on the link below, enter the activation code “UTEMS” and follow the enrollment instructions.
If you have any questions call 1-800-642-JOIN (5646).
What does an UT Health East Texas EMS membership include?
Your membership covers you, your spouse and your children younger than 21 years of age (25 if in college) living in your residence, for unlimited medically necessary transports throughout the UT Health East Texas EMS service area if transported by UT Health East Texas EMS ambulances. Your membership period is Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.
How do you define “medically necessary” transports?
Medically necessary is defined as specific need of ambulance transportation to or from a healthcare facility (hospital, nursing home) within the UT Health East Texas EMS primary service area where use of alternative forms of transportation (wheelchair transports, private car, taxi) would be medically inappropriate given the patient’s condition. UT Health East Texas EMS reserves the right to require physician certification of medical necessity for all non-emergencies. If abuse is found to exist, UT Health East Texas EMS reserves the right to terminate membership.
How much does UT Health East Texas EMS membership cost?
Your annual membership fee is $60. For existing members, the fee is $50 for renewal membership through Aug. 31; after that date the renewal price is $60.
By comparison, the average ambulance transport costs $750.
Does UT Health East Texas EMS accept assignment?
Yes, we accept assignment for all Medicare ambulance transports.
Does UT Health East Texas EMS file on insurance?
Yes. If you provide the information, we will file your insurance directly.
How does the quality of UT Health East Texas EMS compare with other ambulance providers?
As one of the state’s largest private, not-for-profit providers of emergency ambulance service, UT Health East Texas EMS is known by thousands of Texans as “the one to call.” We earned our reputation over more than three decades by our commitment to top quality in every phase of the operation. All our ambulances are equipped with Advanced Cardiac Life Support and staffed by highly trained, certified paramedics and emergency medical technicians. All dispatchers are certified as an emergency medical dispatcher. It’s all coordinated by one of the state’s most comprehensive communications systems, sending the nearest ambulance wherever it’s needed within our service area.
For more information about UT Health EMS Membership please call 1-800-642-5646.