How much should a 9 mile ambulance ride cost. $1400.20???? No care just a ride.?

Question

I had a gout attack that was confused by a Dr. as a bone infection in not 1 but both of my feet earlier in the day at an outpatient clinic. I went home, later the pain which I had never experienced before became so bad I could not walk. My room mate decided to have an ambulance take me to the hospital because of my condition. The ambulance company brought in the stretcher and I rolled out of my bed into it. I think they may have checked for a pulse later in the ambulance on the way. Not more than 20 min later I was in a bed in the hospital. My insurance company said it was worth $683.00 of which I was expecting to pay $200 and some small change. Now I am being sued for the balance almost $1100.00. Does anyone know how much this should have cost or if this is reasonable.

Answer 1

The insurance company charged you $200 as a co payment based on your insurance contract (check it out,under emergency ambulance transfer)

Because you were delinquent and did not pay the balance, a collection agency got involved and now you have to pay additional fee in addition to the initial balance of $200.

You could have disputed the charge before it went to the collection agency, now is kind of late.

Ask if you can pay in installments on a monthly basis

Good luck

Answer 2

No charge for anything in medicine has been reasonable for decades, and that won't ever be the case again unless some bizarre twist of fate puts the Libertarian Party in charge of the country, so don't hold your breath. Having a zillion different insurance policies telling people what their work is worth has completely disconnected charges from costs or worth.

Sometimes you can negotiate and people will accept the insurance payment or just a bit above. It's a bit late now. Since you weren't in need of treatment en route, it would have been better to have called a cab or a non-emergency-transport company.

Answer 3

It is expensive, I don't believe it's that expensive, they should be able to tell you why they have charged that much. It may also be the cost in the emergency room.

Answer 4

most ambulance services have a set rate for just getting into the ambulance regardless of what they do..so call your local ambulance service and ask what their basic charge is...then go from there!!!