How To Pay For That Surprise Ambulance Bill

Getting an ambulance ride can literally be a life-saver But the bill that follows can deliver a whole new kind of shock.

Ambulance services are super expensive and often not fully covered by insurance. This leaves many patients with surprise medical bills that can run into the thousands of dollars.

I learned this the hard way. Last year, I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and spent weeks in intensive care. When I finally got home, I was greeted by a giant stack of medical bills.

Most were covered by my insurance, Aetna. But one huge exception was a $3,000 bill for the ambulance that had rushed me to the hospital.

Turns out the ambulance service wasn’t in my insurer’s network. So Aetna only paid part of the bill, leaving me with the rest.

I was stunned, I had no choice which ambulance transported me, I was barely conscious when they loaded me in! How could I be stuck with such a massive bill?

Unfortunately, my experience is pretty common. Let’s look at why ambulance rides often lead to surprise bills, and what you can do if you get hit with one.

Why Ambulance Bills Are So Prone To Being Out-Of-Network

Around 80% of ambulance rides can potentially trigger surprise medical bills, according to recent research.

The main reason is that ambulance companies don’t join insurance networks. So they can charge patients whatever they want, knowing insurers will only pay a portion.

Ambulance firms argue insurance reimbursements are too low to cover their real costs. They must be ready 24/7 with skilled EMTs and expensive vehicles. If a patient doesn’t need hospitalization, insurers often won’t pay anything.

On the flip side, insurers say ambulance companies inflate their charges and take advantage of patients’ lack of choice in an emergency.

This billing stand-off leaves patients squeezed in the middle with huge out-of-pocket costs.

And ambulance surprise bills are not going away any time soon.

In 2022, a new law called the No Surprises Act takes effect. It protects patients from many unexpected medical charges. But it doesn’t apply to ground ambulance services.

Lawmakers didn’t want to put more financial pressure on local ambulance providers, many of whom are public services on tight budgets.

So ambulance surprise bills look set to continue being a pain point for consumers.

Strategies To Minimize Your Ambulance Bill

Getting slammed with a multi-thousand dollar ambulance bill can be scary and stressful. Here are some ways to reduce the costs:

Ask your insurer to review the claim – They may agree to cover more upon taking a second look. This happened to me, and saved me about $1,500!

Negotiate with the ambulance company – Ask if they can reduce the charges or set up a payment plan. Many will work with patients struggling to pay huge bills.

Use Consumer Reports’ Insurance Complaint Tool – This handy free resource helps you dispute surprise bills. You can find contact details for your state’s insurance regulators.

Call your state legislator – Ask them to support more consumer protections around ambulance costs. The more patients that speak up, the more likelihood of change.

Consider supplemental insurance – “Gap” insurance can help cover unexpected out-of-network charges. It’s worth looking into if you routinely need ambulance transfers.

Ask to be taken to an in-network hospital – If you’re conscious and able, request a hospital covered by your insurance, so the ambulance ride is covered.

Take an Uber or taxi to the ER – If your situation allows, calling a rideshare or cab instead of an ambulance can majorly reduce costs.

Appeal the charges if low income – Many ambulance companies will reduce or even forgive bills for patients who demonstrate financial hardship.

What To Do If You’re Hit With A Surprise Ambulance Bill

Around 1 in 5 Americans get a surprise medical bill each year. If an ambulance ride lands you with one, stay calm and take these steps:

• Don’t panic – Surprise bills feel unfair and can be stressful. But there are ways to get them lowered or eliminated.

• Call your insurer ASAP – Ask them to reconsider the claim. Be persistent and escalate it if the first person you speak with isn’t helpful.

• Negotiate with the ambulance provider – Explain your financial situation and ask for leniency. Many will work out installments or forgive part of the balance.

• Dispute the charges – File complaints with your state insurance board and attorney general’s office. Report the ambulance company to the Better Business Bureau.

• Avoid paying the full amount upfront – Paying even a portion can make it harder to contest the charges. Wait until you’ve negotiated a compromise.

• Consult medical billing advocates – For complex cases, using pros experienced in disputing medical bills can be worthwhile.

• Explore financial assistance programs – If low income or uninsured, see if the ambulance company offers aid to patients who can’t afford their bills.

Being slammed with an astronomical ambulance bill can be incredibly daunting. But Arm yourself with patience and persistence, and know there are resources to help you avoid paying the full charges.

With some strategic negotiating and appeals to insurers and legislators, you can hopefully whittle that shocking bill down to size. Don’t let it derail your finances without putting up a fight!