ambulance service/lakes region

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

When my in-laws were at Sunbridge in Wolfeboro, my father-in-law had some internal bleeding, and was rushed to Huggins. Distance is about 1 mile. Cost by ambulance: $1,000.00. Next day return from Huggins to Sunbridge. Distance still about a mile. Cost by ambulance: $1,000.00.

When did we find out the cost? When we received the bill a couple of weeks later. Called for an explanation. Told it was for the ambulance and two EMT's (one driving). Cost for the one night stay at Huggins was just over one fourth the cost of the transportation to and from the hospital.

Bad news (or worse news) was that Medicare covered the hospital stay, but not the ambulance cost because it was not "an emergency".

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

It may be too late now to dispute this, but you can appeal decisions with Medicare and there's a process for that... If you ever find yourself in this position again, contact the hospital's Care Management Department, or ask to speak with a Social Worker about the bill. Either can direct you through the process - some hospitals have someone on staff who assists with appeals, but all will be able to give you information on how to appeal decisions yourself. This is your right (not to say your appeal will be in your favor - but you can try it.)