Getting hit with a high ambulance bill can be shocking and stressful. Ambulance services are often very expensive, with the average cost ranging from $940 to $1,277 for a single ride. Even those with health insurance coverage may find themselves facing steep out-of-pocket costs. This article will explain why ambulance bills are so high, provide tips for lowering your ambulance bill, and outline different options for paying for ambulance services.
Why Are Ambulance Bills So Expensive?
There are a few key reasons why ambulance bills tend to be so pricey
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Specialized vehicles and equipment – Ambulances are equipped with specialized medical equipment and staffed by trained emergency personnel. All of this specialized care and technology comes at a premium cost.
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Emergency response – Ambulances are on-call 24/7 for emergency response which requires significant infrastructure and staffing costs that services must cover.
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Limited insurance coverage – Many health insurance plans offer only partial coverage for ambulance transports, especially when the service is out-of-network. Out-of-network charges often lead to surprise medical bills.
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Rising healthcare costs – Like all healthcare services, the cost of ambulance transportation has been steadily rising over the past decade, significantly outpacing inflation.
Knowing why ambulance services are so expensive can help you better navigate the billing process. But it still leaves many individuals and families struggling to foot the bill.
Tips for Reducing Your Ambulance Bill
If you’ve been hit with a massive ambulance bill, don’t panic. Here are some tips that may help lower the amount you owe:
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Negotiate with the provider – Ambulance companies are often willing to negotiate payment plans or offer discounts, especially if you pay quickly. Be polite but firm when requesting a reduction.
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Discuss financial hardship – If the bill would cause significant financial strain, explain your situation openly to the billing department. They may lower the charges substantially.
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Review for errors – Comb through the bill to check for any duplicate charges, incorrect mileage fees or unnecessary services. Dispute any errors in writing.
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Submit to insurance – Even for out-of-network providers, submit the claim to your insurer to have the allowed amount applied to the bill. This can lower it significantly.
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Appeal insurance denials – If your insurance denies the claim, submit an appeal providing documentation why the service was medically necessary and covered.
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Seek financial assistance – Many ambulance companies offer financial assistance or hardship programs for those unable to afford their bills. Ask about applying.
How To Pay for Ambulance Services
If you are faced with a large ambulance bill, here are some options for covering the cost:
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Health insurance – While coverage limits apply, most health insurance plans cover some ambulance services, especially for emergency transport. The approved amount will be deducted from your total bill.
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Medicare – For those over 65, Medicare Part B covers 80% of approved ambulance costs for emergency and limited non-emergency transport. You would owe the remaining 20% out of pocket.
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Medicaid – Medicaid provides coverage for emergency ambulance services for those who qualify based on income limits. Rules vary by state.
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Supplemental insurance – Some critical illness, accident or hospital indemnity plans help cover ambulance copays and deductibles. Check if you have supplemental coverage.
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Personal loan – An unsecured personal loan with a fixed rate and term is an option for consolidating and paying off a large ambulance bill over time. Shop rates from multiple lenders.
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Credit cards – As a last resort, high-interest credit cards can provide access to funds quickly to cover an ambulance bill. Make payments as soon as possible.
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Payment plans – Most ambulance companies offer interest-free installments for bills paid over 6-12 months. Payment plans help ease the financial burden.
The Bottom Line
Getting slammed with a huge ambulance bill can be daunting. But negotiating rates, appealing insurance denials and utilizing payment plans can help reduce the amount you end up owing. Review your options, advocate for more affordable payments and seek financial assistance if needed. With the right approach, you can effectively manage ambulance bills.
How to fight surprise ambulance bills
FAQ
How does ambulance billing work?
How much is an ambulance ride without insurance in Kansas?
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Service
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Rate
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Advanced Life Support (ALS) Emergency
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$700
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ALS Non-Emergency
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$600
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Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency
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$515
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BLS Non-Emergency
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$425
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Who pays for an ambulance?
The insurance company and the ambulance company agree on payment. The ambulance company bills your insurance company, which pays its part of the bill. You pay your copay, deductible and coinsurance. Since the insurance company has a contract, in-network providers generally cost less than out-of-network ambulances.
Do you pay for an ambulance ride if you’re out-of-network?
A Kaiser Family Foundation report found that 51% of emergency ambulance rides for privately insured individuals included an out-of-network charge that can lead to a surprise medical bill. Even if you’re transported for an emergency, you will likely pay for a portion of the ambulance ride through a copayment, deductible and coinsurance.
How do you get patients to pay for ambulance services?
Negotiate. It can be hard to get patients to pay for ambulance services, so if a person is willing to cover even a portion, some companies are willing to bargain. “Talk about your financial situation, tell them, ‘I’m on this kind of budget, that I’ve been out of work X number of days’,” she said.
What should you do if your ambulance bill is out-of-network?
Ambulance providers are often willing to cut a deal, such as 40% off in a person pays by the end of the day, said Kelmar, who advised putting such charges on a high-interest credit card. 3. Make sure the bill went through insurance. Even out-of-network, insurance plans would pay a portion akin to a negotiated rate, so make sure that has occurred.
Do ambulance patients get a surprise bill for out-of-network services?
One study found that between 2010 and 2016, 85% of ambulance patients were hit with a surprise bill for out-of-network services, also known as a balance bill. The size of the bill can vary tremendously among states.
Could a no surprise bill still be a problem for ambulances?
It may still happen: The No Surprises Act called for an advisory committee with government officials, consumer advocates, insurers, and ambulance providers to study how consumers could be better protected from surprise bills for ground ambulances. Medicare and Medicaid, which already ban balance billing on ambulance services, may also play a role.
