Getting an unexpected ambulance bill can be a huge shock. Especially if the bill is very high and you don’t have insurance to cover it. Many people wonder how long they actually have to pay the bill and what happens if they just ignore it. Here’s what you need to know about ambulance bill payment timelines and your options if you get hit with a huge ambulance fee.
Ambulance Bills Can Be Surprisingly High
Before we get into payment timelines, it’s important to understand why ambulance bills are often so expensive in the first place. An ambulance isn’t just a ride to the hospital – it’s a mobile emergency medical service. Ambulance companies need to pay for vehicles, fuel, medical equipment, medications, employee salaries and training. All those costs get bundled into your bill.
According to CostHelper, the average cost for an ambulance ride is $300-$500 for a short trip and $30-$40 per mile for longer distances. But the final amount can vary a lot depending on where you live, the company that picks you up, the level of care you need and your insurance coverage. Some ambulance rides can cost $1,000-$2,000 or even more.
You Usually Have 30-90 Days To Pay
So how long do you actually have to pay your ambulance bill? Here’s a general timeline:
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Billing You’ll receive the initial bill within a few weeks of your ambulance ride This first bill allows you to review the charges
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Due date The due date is typically 30-90 days from the billing date This is the standard timeline hospitals and healthcare providers follow
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Late notice: If you don’t pay by the due date, you’ll get a past due notice. This serves as a warning that your account will be sent to collections if you don’t pay soon.
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Collections: If you still don’t pay, the ambulance company can send your account to collections around 120 days after the initial billing date. At this point, it will negatively impact your credit score.
So in most cases, you’ll have about 90 days to pay an ambulance bill before collections gets involved But every situation is different, so check your specific bill for the exact due date
What Happens If You Don’t Pay
Ignoring an ambulance bill isn’t recommended since it can lead to big problems down the road:
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Your account gets sent to a debt collection agency. They will continuously contact you to get payment.
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You get hit with late fees, interest charges and collection fees. Your original bill amount can increase significantly.
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Your credit score takes a hit, making it hard to qualify for loans, credit cards and other financing.
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You could potentially get sued by the collections agency and have your wages garnished.
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In very rare cases, people who repeatedly ignore ambulance bills have been denied additional EMS transports until they pay up.
Basically, not paying your ambulance bill can negatively impact your finances and healthcare access. Work with the billing department as soon as possible to avoid complications.
Payment Plan Options
If you simply can’t afford to pay your full ambulance bill all at once, ask about setting up a payment plan. Many ambulance companies and hospitals will let you break up the amount into smaller monthly payments over 6-12 months. Just be sure to get the payment plan agreement in writing.
Pro tip: Set up autopay so you never miss a payment. Missing payments could void your agreement, sending your account back to collections.
File an Insurance Claim ASAP
Don’t pay anything until you’ve filed a claim with your health insurance company. They may cover all or part of your ambulance bill, saving you a lot of money. Be prepared to submit:
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A copy of your ambulance bill
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Proof of medical necessity (usually your hospital discharge paperwork)
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Your insurance ID card
Even if the ambulance company is out-of-network, your insurer is still required to process the claim. You just may have higher out-of-pocket costs.
If your claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision. But try to pay the bill quickly while waiting on the appeal so you don’t get hit with late fees. Your insurer will reimburse you if they end up covering it.
Ask For a Discount
Another option is to ask the ambulance company for a prompt payment discount. Some may give you 10% or more off if you pay the entire bill quickly, usually within 30 days.
You can also request a hardship discount if paying the full amount would be a financial burden. Provide documentation like pay stubs, bank statements and expenses to show why you can’t afford the standard bill. Not all companies offer this, but it’s worth politely asking.
And never hurts to simply negotiate! Explain why you feel the charges are higher than expected and ask if they can lower the bill at all. The worst they can do is say no.
Assistance Programs
If you have very low income and absolutely no way to pay, search for ambulance assistance programs in your state or county. Some areas offer financial aid for emergency medical transportation bills, either through the EMS provider directly or local non-profits.
You may also qualify for charity care discounts from the hospital based on your financial situation (usually 200% below federal poverty level). They may be able to cover your ambulance fee as part of your total hospital bill.
Avoidance Isn’t Recommended
While you have 3-4 months before your ambulance bill is handed over to collections, it’s really not advisable to wait that long. Work with the billing team right away to make payment arrangements that fit your budget. Ignoring medical bills only leads to bigger financial headaches down the road.
The takeaway? Try to pay your ambulance bill as soon as possible. If the standard amount is truly unaffordable, immediately request a discount, payment plan or insurance claim filing. This will help protect your finances and healthcare access in the long run.
Q&A: Paying For Ambulance Services
FAQ
What is the new law for ambulance in California?
These new California laws take effect in 2024. The new law says that patients will only have to pay as much as they would have for an in-network service. The ambulance and health insurance companies will have to pay the bill directly, even if they don’t have a contract with the hospital.
What happens if an ambulance bill goes to collections?
Once medical bills enter collections, they are often reported to consumer credit reporting companies. It may be harder to find a job and buy or rent a home if you have medical debt collections on your credit report. The costs of car insurance and rent may also go up.
How long does it take to get an ambulance Bill?
ER doctor bill: If the ER doctor is not in your insurance network, it could take up to 6 months to get a separate bill from them. Their billing and coding process takes longer. Bill for an ambulance: Most ambulance bills arrive within two to three months, but sometimes it can take up to a year. Operated by local municipalities, billing may be delayed.
Do ambulance patients get a surprise bill for out-of-network services?
One study found that between 2010 and 2016, 85% of ambulance patients got a surprise bill for services that weren’t covered by their insurance. This is also called a balance bill. The size of the bill can vary tremendously among states.
How many ambulance patients get a surprise bill?
Every year, about 3 million people take ambulances to the hospital. A consumer advocacy group says that more than half of those people will get a surprise bill. According to a study, between 2010 and 2016, 85% of ambulance patients got a surprise bill for services that weren’t covered by their insurance. This is also known as a balance bill.
Can a ground ambulance be a surprise medical bill?
Ohio passed a law in January that, like the No Surprises Act, will stop medical bills from coming as a surprise starting in 2022. The law also covers ground ambulances. Out-of-network providers in New York can’t charge insured patients more than in-network rates in an emergency. This includes ground ambulances but not transports between facilities.
When should you not pay an ambulance bill?
You shouldn’t have to pay for an ambulance ride if: the illness that caused the call wasn’t serious enough to need transportation to the hospital; 2. The ambulance was not dispatched in a timely manner.
What happens if you get a surprise bill from an ambulance?
Healthcare experts say the impact of surprise bills from ambulance rides may go beyond financial risk for patients. Chhabra says, “If sick people don’t want to call an ambulance and go to the hospital, that can have consequences.” “That’s why we need to protect patients from these kinds of bills. ”.
