Half of ambulance rides yield surprise medical bills. What's being done to protect people?

[ck4829]

When people dial 911, perhaps the last thing they think about is how much the ambulance ride will cost. 

But a report released Tuesday by U.S. PIRG Education Trust shows ambulance companies routinely bill out-of-network charges. This happens when an insurance plan's network doesn't include the public or private ambulance company.

Even after an insurer pays a portion of charges, about half of consumers are billed more. These extra charges add up to about $129 million each year, according to U.S. PIRG.

Congress passed a law creating an arbitration process as of January 2022 to protect consumers from surprise bills during emergencies or when an out-of-network doctor provides care at an in-network hospital. The federal law, called the No Surprises Act, also protects consumers from costly air ambulance bills — but it doesn't address more common ground ambulance transports.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/12/13/ambulance-surprise-medical-bills/10866349002/ 

[intrepidity]

1. And did you know that even if *you* didn't call them, you're still on the hook

Found this out in early 2020, fell down outside and dislocated my shoulder, and my neighbor--against my wishes!--called 911. They came and wouldn't do anything except offer to take me to hospital, which I declined (covid? no thanks!)

Got a bill for $300!! Unfuckingreal.