Community Chat

[KathyPet]

My husband was airlifted from our local hospital to UVA Medical in Charlottesville last month.  A distance of about 130 miles.  I just saw the statement from our supplemental Medicare carrier detailing what the bill was and the payments made.  The air ambulance company charged $45,000 dollars for the trip.  Medicare approved amount was $4800.00

[gidgetgh]

Scary, isn't it?  Not just the reason for the expense (I hope your husband is doing better), but the costs.  And what if we didn't have insurance....

My father has been very ill the last few months.  I got a statement from one of the ambulance companies last week.  $1,900 for a 7 mile trip.  Still waiting for Medicare and secondary to pay that one and see what the REAL amount will be after all the discounts.

[Hayfield]

Yes, it is scary.  My DB was airlifted to a hospital in the Pittsburgh area a few years ago and he was only taken, maybe 10 miles and he said the cost was $10,000.  That was about 5 years ago, don't know what it would cost today.  I think it was fully covered but he wasn't on medicare yet at the time as he was 59.

[dex]

We were visiting in Canada when my son had a skateboard accident and was placed on life support.He was taken by ambulance to a larger hospital and would have been air lifted but it was too foggy.I can't remember the bill amount but it was very reasonable compared to the U.S.  hospitals and our medical covered it in full.I remember when we arrived at the hospital telling them we didn't have Canadian medical but that we would find a way to pay the bill no matter what.They told us that at that time they were not concerned about the bill and taking care of our son was their priority.I was so grateful that they put him first that I cried.He recovered fully with the great care he received and I feel that I am among the luckiest people on earth.

[151949]

I'm sure canada has fabulous health care in comparrison to here - where it is all about the bottom line.

[Abrowneyegirl]

The costs of Healthcare here in the U.S. has nothing to do with costs.  It is about charging those with a payor source as much as possible to make up for all of those who can not or will not pay their bills.  !!!!

[lulu2]

Kathy Pet, I think about you and your husband often.  I hope he is doing well with his treatments.

The cost of medical transportation is outrageous.  A few years ago my husband was transported less than 5 miles by our local rescue squad.  Insurance paid a fraction of the cost, then we were billed for the balance.  Of course we paid.  Later I learned legally we did not have to pay the difference.  When I inquired about it, I was told to consider it a (very large) donation.

[tobes]

I don't know whether you paid this or not but do not pay anything now.  When you get a final EOB contact your insurance company and the ambulance to negotiate a fair usual and customary price for the  service.  It should be what ever medicare is willing to pay maybe minus some kind of a co-pay or deductible according to your  medicare policy.  If this does not work then go to your local tv statation or newspaper for them to investigate this unreasonable cost.

[ShowMe]

It is a known fact that bills presented to insurance companies and Medicare are astronomical.....they know in the beginning that that amount is not what will be paid.......

I have been undergoing chemo since February.......my mind was blown away when I got my first Medicare breakdown on these treatments, the PETscans, MRI's, biopsie, etc.  the chemo has been running about $24,000 for each treatment.....but Medicare is paying about $4,000 and my supplemental is pay the 20%.......I would have to go back and see how many treatments I have had, but it would probably blow me away if I did that. 

Each PETscan I have had (3) costs about $4,000 each, and the MRI's were of the brain, and believe they ran as much as the PET. 

I have heard that Canada has a terrific medical system, and yes, their people get excellent care for very little.  Something has to be done here in the US.....we all know that.

Have been fortunate so far not to have to have any surgery with my cancer. 

[patbz]

6 yrs ago DH was air lifted about 200 miles to Mayo and was in ICU for 8 days.  He did recover TG.  I think the air part was 27,000 and the entire bill was $450000.  We were out of network and we were not yet on Medicare.  After months of hassles and negotiations our part was $12000.  We learned so much about the U.S. medical and insurance systems.  Amazing!