Getting transported in an ambulance can be a scary and stressful experience. The last thing you want to worry about is how you’ll pay the bill. Ambulance rides are expensive, often costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The good news is there are things you can do to pay your ambulance bill. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pay ambulance bills.
Understand Your Ambulance Bill
The first thing you need to do is read your ambulance bill. Ambulance companies charge for various services, including .
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Base fee – This covers costs like ambulance maintenance and employee wages It’s usually $50-$100,
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Mileage fee – Ambulance companies charge per mile travelled when transporting you This is around $10-$50 per mile
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Treatment charges: You’ll be charged for any medical care that EMTs give you, such as IV fluids, bandages, and so on. These vary.
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Equipment fees – Things like oxygen masks and EKG monitors have fees. They range from $50-$500.
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Medications – If EMTs give you drugs like painkillers, those costs get added. They are $25-$100 per medication.
So an ambulance ride of 5 miles with basic care and monitoring can easily cost $500 to $1,000. Know what you’re being charged for.
Submit a Claim to Your Insurance
The next thing you need to do is file a claim with your health insurance company. Most insurance plans cover a portion of ambulance transportation.
Call the number on the back of your insurance card and provide them the ambulance company’s billing information and account number. The ambulance company sends your insurance the bill, but you need to activate the claim.
Make sure to have your insurance ID number ready when you call. The insurance company will walk through next steps.
Pay Whatever Your Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Unfortunately, many insurance plans don’t cover ambulance rides 100%. They tend to pay 60%-80% of the cost, leaving you with a balance.
Once your insurance processes the claim, the ambulance company will send you a bill for whatever balance your insurance didn’t cover. You need to pay this remainder of the bill.
The bill will have instructions for how to pay. Common payment options include:
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Paying online through the ambulance company’s website
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Mailing a check to the ambulance company
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Calling the billing department and paying over the phone
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Setting up a payment plan to pay in installments over time
Pay this remainder of the balance promptly to avoid being sent to collections.
Assistance If You Can’t Afford Balance
Some ambulance companies offer financial assistance or hardship programs if you can’t afford to pay the remaining balance after insurance.
For example, if you are low income, uninsured, or insured with a high deductible/out-of-pocket max, the ambulance company may reduce or waive your remaining balance.
To see if you qualify for financial assistance, look for a “Financial Assistance” section on your ambulance bill. Follow the instructions to submit income documentation like pay stubs and a financial assistance application.
If approved, the ambulance company will reduce or eliminate your remaining balance owed. This can really help lower income patients.
Negotiate Your Ambulance Bill
If the bill seems unreasonably high, try negotiating with the ambulance company. Many are willing to negotiate on the price, especially if it means getting paid faster.
Be polite and explain your situation – that the bill is a financial hardship. Ask if they can offer a discount or lower the billed charges. Don’t be afraid to negotiate firmly but kindly.
If they agree to lower the charges, get the discount offer in writing before paying a negotiated amount. Being proactive can really pay off.
Set Up a Payment Plan
If you can’t afford to pay the full balance owed, ask about setting up a payment plan. Most ambulance companies allow monthly payments over 6-12 months rather than demanding lump-sum payment.
Payment plans have affordable monthly payments like $50 or $100 without accruing interest. This makes the balance more manageable to pay off over time.
Payment plans need to be arranged ahead of time before the balance is due. Call the billing department to set this up. Automated payments can be setup.
Seek Community Assistance
There are community resources that can help with ambulance bills:
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Religious organizations – Many churches and synagogues have funds to help members pay medical bills.
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Medical charities – Groups like the HealthWell Foundation provide financial assistance for medical bills.
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Gofundme – You can create a GoFundMe to raise money from friends and family to pay the ambulance bill.
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Bill negotiation services – Companies like Balance will negotiate your bill further for a fee.
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Legal aid – Local legal aid offices provide free legal help for those who can’t afford lawyers.
Don’t be afraid to ask about resources in your community. Lots of groups are willing to help those struggling with medical bills.
Avoiding Collections
If you fail to pay your ambulance bill, it may be sent to collections. Having an unpaid bill sent to collections hurts your credit score badly.
To avoid this, stay in touch with the ambulance company. Explain your situation and keep them updated on your progress paying the bill.
As long as you demonstrate good faith effort to pay, most ambulance companies will work with you to avoid sending the unpaid balance to collections.
Understanding Medicare Coverage
If you have Medicare, coverage for ambulance transportation works differently. Medicare Part B covers ambulance transportation in certain circumstances – mainly for emergency needs.
Medicare will pay 80% of approved ambulance claims after you meet your deductible. You owe the remaining 20%. Supplemental insurance can help cover your portion.
Make sure to submit your ambulance claim to Medicare as soon as possible. Talk to your Medicare provider if you have questions on coverage. Know your Medicare rights when using an ambulance.
Key Takeaways
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Expect ambulance bills from $500-$1000 or more
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Call your health insurance ASAP to start your claim
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You’ll likely owe whatever your insurance doesn’t cover
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Seek financial assistance if you can’t afford balance
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Negotiate bills, set up payment plans, or use community resources
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Avoid collections by staying in touch with the ambulance company
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Understand how Medicare covers ambulance transportation
Access & Update Your Account Information / Make Payments:
| Service Date | Online Portal | Billing Customer Service Line |
|---|---|---|
| Services prior to August 1, 2022 | Access Portal Link | Call 888-980-9218 |
| Services after August 1, 2022 | Access Portal Link | Call 833-532-2237 |
You may also complete the insurance information on the billing invoice and mail to the address below. Payments can also be made with a personal check, cashiers check, or money order. Please make the check payable to: “San Francisco Fire Department” and include your account number on the memo line. Send the check to the address below. DO NOT SEND CASH.
Fees for Emergency Medical Services
The City and County of San Francisco assesses fees for the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical care, in accordance with the current San Francisco Ordinance posted below. The San Francisco Fire Department handles emergencies, but a private billing company handles billing and collecting fees.
How to fight surprise ambulance bills
FAQ
How does ambulance billing work?
Receiving an assessment or any care/treatment, regardless of transport, can generate a bill. Each ambulance service independently determines when a charge is assessed, this may include any patient contact even if no vitals were taken or treatment was provided.
How much is an ambulance bill in CA?
After an accident or a medical emergency in Los Angeles, your ambulance fee will depend on the level of care you require and the distance you travel. In 2022, a basic care ride costs around $1,800. An advanced care transport costs around $2,500.
How much does an ambulance cost in the US?
A report from 2022 on the high cost of ambulance surprise bills from the U.S. says that the average out-of-pocket cost for an ambulance ride with insurance is $450, but in some states it can be more than $1,000. S. PIRG Education Fund.
How do I pay my ambulance service bill online?
We strive to make the payment process as convenient as possible. You can securely pay your ambulance service bill online using our trusted payment portal. We are committed to providing transparent and compassionate care. Please review our Customer’s Bill of Rights to understand your rights and responsibilities.
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.
How do you get patients to pay for ambulance services?
Negotiate. It can be hard to get people to pay for ambulance services, but some companies will work with people who are willing to pay even a small amount. “Talk to them about your money and say, ‘I’m on this kind of budget, and I haven’t worked in X days,'” she advised.
Who pays my ambulance Bill?
If you are bedridden, unconscious, bleeding heavily or have what appears to be a serious condition or injury, most of your ambulance bill will be paid by an insurer. Or some non-profits or charities may also offer financial aid to help pay ambulance bills for medical necessary transportation.
Who pays my ambulance bill if I’m underinsured?
If you have Medical Payments coverage, most of your ambulance costs are paid by your auto insurer. With an Underinsured Motorist clause, most of your ambulance bill is paid even if the other motorist has no liability coverage.
What should you do if you get hit with an ambulance Bill?
But when consumers do get hit with an exorbitant ambulance bill, there are several steps people should take, Kelmar told CBS MoneyWatch. 1. Get an itemized bill. That’s essential for identifying and potentially challenging individual charges.
