Medical emergencies occur without warning and can happen anywhere. When someone is severely injured or needs immediate life-saving medical help, calling an ambulance is the best choice.
The ambulance arrives quickly with a qualified emergency medical team to get the sick or injured person ready for the ride to the hospital. Like all services, it does cost to use this life-saving emergency service.
When an emergency happens, the cost is probably the last thing on anyone's mind. However, it is a good idea to understand the cost and how ambulance billing services work.
How Are Ambulance Services Billed?
Emergency service billing is a fee charged by a township for EMT and/or paramedic transportation to an area hospital. Patients are only billed for actual ambulance runs and not for non-transports or a situation where the ambulance is determined as unnecessary.
What Are Ambulance Billing Guidelines?
An EMS billing agency has specific forms to fill depending on the emergency situation. All services provided by an independent carrier are billed on a specific form that includes recording the number of miles traveled.
Another form is used for billing if the patient is treated by paramedics at the scene. Depending on these factors an ambulance bill can be quite expensive.
Who Pays For Ambulance Services?
The patient is responsible for paying ambulance services. In most circumstances, the patient's insurance carrier pays the bill. However, there are certain rules that apply.
Medicare only pays for the service when the patient is transported to the nearest hospital or medical facility that can provide proper care. This percentage depends on the patient's specific coverage terms.
Health insurance covers ambulance services as well, but only in a medically necessary situation. This means the patient is left paying the bill. However, keep in mind, in some cities the cost of ambulance services is covered by taxes.
Can Patients Negotiate Ambulance Cost?
Ambulance costs are often quite high if a person has no insurance or the ambulance service isn't covered. The patient has options when it comes to paying for these expenses.
Patients can contact their insurance and ask to discuss the bill. If the insurance company is firm on the final amount due, patients can call the ambulance company to ask about negotiating costs or even setting up a payment plan.
Medical emergencies happen, so it's great to have an emergency service to offer help quickly. Having a good idea of what your insurance covers and the tax laws in your area help you understand billing services.
For more information, reach out to a company such as AR Management & Solutions.
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