Re: Ambulance Bill

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

Our fire department- emergency response system has a yearly fee just in case we need an ambulance. Seniors $15 a person. I buy in every year. Check your area out.

Grateful me also donates money to the gent who comes to my door yearly. He suggests $25 or more.

I do live rural and that might be a factor. Nearest hospital is 10 miles away.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Good luck on disputing this bill; at best, you might be offered a 20% discount for full payment. To me, $900 is dirt cheap for ambulance transport. In 2008 my husband was transferred by ambulance, approximately 100 miles, and the cost billed to insurance was $8000, because he had to have a paramedic crew, not just EMTs.

The mileage between the hospital and where you were sent isn’t the key; the mileage charges start from the time that crew leaves their facility to where they picked you up.

Absolutely NO patient can be transferred to another facility by private vehicle once they have been given heavy pain meds. The hospital bears responsibility for you until you were handed off to the SNF.

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

Years ago my FIL had to be transferred from the the main hospital to the rehab center that was across campus from the main hospital. My MIL got a bill for 250 dollars and had a fit, they had great insurance, but they would not pay for this. I don't know if she paid the bill or not.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@RedTop wrote:
Good luck on disputing this bill; at best, you might be offered a 20% discount for full payment. To me, $900 is dirt cheap for ambulance transport. In 2008 my husband was transferred by ambulance, approximately 100 miles, and the cost billed to insurance was $8000, because he had to have a paramedic crew, not just EMTs.

The mileage between the hospital and where you were sent isn’t the key; the mileage charges start from the time that crew leaves their facility to where they picked you up.

Absolutely NO patient can be transferred to another facility by private vehicle once they have been given heavy pain meds. The hospital bears responsibility for you until you were handed off to the SNF.

Once you are discharged, the hospital bears no responsibility at all. You could refuse SNF services and go home if you wish. I have transported patients to a SNF on more than one occasion. Recently, in December, I transported a lady that I help out in my mini van. The hospital helped her into my vehicle and the SNF helped her out and into a wheel chair when we got there. She is still there.

I have transported a lady who broke her hip and had surgery from the hospital to a SNF, and then transported her again to another SNF that was closer to her home a few weeks later when a room became available.

I have never seen insurance pay for transport services ( there could be coverage, but I have never seen it). I have seen local fire departments with ambulance services do a limited number of transports. I would advise everyone to see if this service is offered locally and if so, subscribe if you can. These trips are very expensive. They are usually called van or wheel chair transports...they are not true ambulance transports because no medical necessity is apparent and in most areas an ambulance is not used for this service.

LadyAlice · ‎06-14-2011

I am so sorry to hear of your situation. I had a leg wound that would not stop bleeding. An ambulance from a nearby hospital came. The EMT’s were great. I got the bill and was told that my insurance paid some but I had to pay the balance. I appealed to my insurer and they went after the hospital because the hospital was in network and overcharged me. Got a check right away! I wish you the best. LadyAlice

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

You were being transferred from the hospital to the SNF, so no. They could not stick you in an Uber or a friend's car to drive you there. That's ridiculous. I'm not sure what the mileage discrepancy is. If the trip was 10 and miles and they billed or 30 miles, dispute the charge. But remember they charge a flat rate and addional for mileage. So even if they over charged on mileage, it won't come to much. The big money is in the flat rate.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@chrystaltree I respectably disagree. Many people travel by private car from a hospital to a SNF....especially if they had to pay the high cost of transport previously.

These transport bills are expensive..hundreds of dollars and they are not covered by insurance.

Once you get stuck paying for this service out of your pocket, you usually will find someone to drive you next time.

When I worked in health insurance, I got a couple of calls a week from people who were shocked that insurance does not cover this expense. I felt sorry for them, but there was nothing I could do to help.

People always complain about the price and it is what it is. Most people end up making monthly payments if they can't afford to pay all at once.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

@Carmie

Just don't pay and let them take you to court. Wouldn't life be nice if we all just paid the bills we felt like paying.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@chrystaltree I don't think you will be sued in court, but those awful bill collectors will hound the heck out of you and finally it will show up on your credit report.

Many times these types of transports are provided for elderly patients who really have no money or friends or family to drive them and can't afford it. My heart goes out to them.