This bill just blew me away - Page 2

foundinlv · ‎04-20-2012

When I had to be transported by ambulance in March my bill came to around $1900 and our employer paid medical insurance paid all but $485. According to the terms though I was supposed to have only a $50 copay for an ambulance trip and a $100 copay for ER visits. I called them and they said that the City ambulance service was out of network for what we chose for our medical insurance but it's not like you can specify which ambulance company you want at your doorstep when you call 911.

Turns out the ambulance company that was in network was for transport from facility to facility or from facility to home ONLY and not for life threatening transport. My insurance company said they would re-code and resubmit my claim.....a month later they paid an additional $300. Regarding my ER bill, I did have more than $100 to pay for things that the insurance company said they would not cover. I had already paid for it and so didn't dispute it and then the ambulance bill arrived. When open enrollment occurs in a few weeks dh and I are going to change our selection to the cadillac option.....apparently we had signed up for the jalopy option. Won't make that mistake again.

eta: the additional money I paid to the ER came to around $400. I also got a separate bill from the ER doctor and the insurance paid for all but $25 for that.

PamfromCT · ‎05-22-2014

Most importantly, I hope all concerned are doing OK now. That's the bottom line.

You are doing everyone a favor in sharing how high costs are, even for emergency transportation. In case anyone is ever thinking about getting a poor insurance plan, it is definitely an eye-opener. So many young people are "blissfully unaware" of how crazy costs can be.

Several months ago, my little grandaughter had a little fall, one that at first seemed uneventful. But over a short period of time, she developed some scary symptoms. Very lethargic, skin clammy, etc. They immediately called for an ambulance, and she was transported to a children's hospital not far from where they live. Fortunately, after all tests, she was determined to be fine.

My son and his wife do have good insurance, but they were floored that the ambulance bill was $1,000. Goes to prove that younger people have a lot to learn about medical costs today. They are still talking about this incident and how very scared they were. It shows that we are all vulnerable.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@foundinlv wrote:
When I had to be transported by ambulance in March my bill came to around $1900 and our employer paid medical insurance paid all but $485. According to the terms though I was supposed to have only a $50 copay for an ambulance trip and a $100 copay for ER visits. I called them and they said that the City ambulance service was out of network for what we chose for our medical insurance but it's not like you can specify which ambulance company you want at your doorstep when you call 911.

Turns out the ambulance company that was in network was for transport from facility to facility or from facility to home ONLY and not for life threatening transport. My insurance company said they would re-code and resubmit my claim.....a month later they paid an additional $300. Regarding my ER bill, I did have more than $100 to pay for things that the insurance company said they would not cover. I had already paid for it and so didn't dispute it and then the ambulance bill arrived. When open enrollment occurs in a few weeks dh and I are going to change our selection to the cadillac option.....apparently we had signed up for the jalopy option. Won't make that mistake again.

eta: the additional money I paid to the ER came to around $400. I also got a separate bill from the ER doctor and the insurance paid for all but $25 for that.

found......that is exactly what I have.....the cadillac option. Have had it for quite some time now......infact since I went on Medicare about 12 years ago. Am so thankful for this excellent coverage. Have mine with AARP United Healthcare. The bout with this cancer is the first real major thing I have ever had and boy, am I grateful for the coverage I have. Will continue with them....... Don't know who you are thinking of going with, but it would pay to check out what I have......just a suggestion.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@PamfromCT wrote:
Most importantly, I hope all concerned are doing OK now. That's the bottom line.

You are doing everyone a favor in sharing how high costs are, even for emergency transportation. In case anyone is ever thinking about getting a poor insurance plan, it is definitely an eye-opener. So many young people are "blissfully unaware" of how crazy costs can be.

Several months ago, my little grandaughter had a little fall, one that at first seemed uneventful. But over a short period of time, she developed some scary symptoms. Very lethargic, skin clammy, etc. They immediately called for an ambulance, and she was transported to a children's hospital not far from where they live. Fortunately, after all tests, she was determined to be fine.

My son and his wife do have good insurance, but they were floored that the ambulance bill was $1,000. Goes to prove that younger people have a lot to learn about medical costs today. They are still talking about this incident and how very scared they were. It shows that we are all vulnerable.

Pam.....I think the young folks think they are too young for anything major to hit them......and that is far from the truth. We are all vulnerable...... When I think back to when I was married and my now deceased x had us go around with no health coverage, I could just scream. There were angels looking out......that's all I can say about that on here.....

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

My bills for cancer treatment are close to $300,000. My employer paid $40,000. I didn't pay anything.

maestra · ‎03-09-2010

I dont know what my employer pays for my cancer trreatment, but I have had no income for 3 months (no access to short term disability), was on 80/20 payments w/specialist copay per visit and have had to pay my own emploiyee premium of 618.00 per month. This is with a Diocesan health plan-the only one offered. I guess they're waiting for a major miracle to happen instead of offering adequate benefits.

My DH doesnt work so this is the only plan available for us now. Jobs are not plentiful where we live so job hopping hasnt been an option. We have been told repeatedly by our administration to be thankful we even have jobs.

I didnt apply for disability since we are terminated upon application for disability (yes, this is legal). Employees for a Catholic diocese are also not able to receive unemployment benefits.

I think there will a special place closest to the fire (if you catch my drift) for the authors of our benefits package.

Irshgrl31201 · ‎03-18-2010

I know that is not what is actually paid, just billed but for that price you could have chartered a private luxury jet to take him. You can get one of those for about $10-$20K an hour depending on how luxurious you want it. you would have still had money left over to pay for a private doctor to accompany him for the flight.

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
JFK

physicsnut · ‎08-26-2013

@151949 wrote:
I'm sure canada has fabulous health care in comparrison to here - where it is all about the bottom line.

No, I would disagree. My next door neighbors are from Windsor Canada and they moved here to get away from government run healthcare as their "free" healthcare was a 58% tax out of their paychecks. Her mother was on a 3 year waitlist in Canada for knee surgery. She was in so much pain they brought her here and she had surgery the following week. Government run healthcare is a disaster.

stevieb · ‎03-10-2010

@Abrowneyegirl wrote:
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. !!!!

That must be why it's called 'affordable care'...

The price for the OP's air lift experience is just plain ludicrous.

In my pantry with my cupcakes...

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

Score one for Medicare and its negotiating power. As for the given amount before the reduction, I truly do not know how those numbers are arrived at; nor do I know what the point of them is. I just know I'm thrilled to have Medicare to work for me.

I have no idea what it costs to bring in a plane with medical personnel and move one person ill enough to need this service. Soemone who owns their own plane would have to tell me, but I don't think the Medicare approved amount sounds high.

I also don't know what it would cost if you did not have Medicare. I do know that a few years ago - could even be 10 years ago, a friend of mine was flown from Delray in Florida to Pittsburgh and that cost was something over $15,000. No insurance involved, but I have no idea why.