Receiving a bill from an ambulance company is a traumatic experience for anyone. They are routinely thousands of dollars and come accompanied with a terrifying health experience. Needless to say, they aren’t a favorite of anyone.
However, before you pay an ambulance bill, there are a few important things you should know. These companies are relying on you just paying the bill without inquiring further. Know your legal rights and what options you have to not become burdened with the full amount of debt.
In the following article, we’ll cover lots of common questions related to ambulance bills and what your options are if you receive one unexpectedly.
Do you have to pay an ambulance bill?
Yes, you have to pay an ambulance bill because it is a legal obligation of debt. And if you don’t pay it, the company can send you to collections or take you to court to force you to pay it.
However, just because you have to pay it doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make it more tolerable. In fact, ambulance bills are the most common type of bill to renegotiate.
It’s no secret that the cost of an ambulance ride is ridiculously high in the United States. In fact, second for second, it’s probably the most expensive form of transportation. Far higher than driving a car, taking a plane, or even a helicopter ride.
Ambulance bills routinely cost $5k – $10k for a 10 minute ride. That can add up to $1,000 per minute. Can you think of any activity more expensive than that?
But we’re not here to talk about the ridiculousness of ambulance bills. Let’s talk about what you can do about them.
Can you refuse to pay an ambulance bill?
Sure, you can try to refuse an ambulance bill, but you will be forced to pay it one way or another by the courts. However, the smarter way is to refuse to pay the full amount and get a discounted bill.
Ambulance companies know their bills are crazy expensive. They factor that into the cost because there could be a chance insurance companies will pay the bill. And if they will, then why not charge as much as they can.
But for regular folks, a $5k or $10k bill just isn’t reasonable. And the ambulance companies know that. As a result, you have the option to negotiate your bill down to something more reasonable and 99% of the time, ambulance companies are happy to do it.
For example, if you get an ambulance bill for $10,000, give the billing department a call, tell them you’re unable to pay that, and ask for a reduction in cost or a payment plan. The company is more than likely willing to do just that. At the end of the day, they want at least some money and getting some money is better than none.
What happens if you don’t pay an ambulance bill?
If you don’t pay an ambulance bill, the company can send you to collections and get a court order to force you to pay, which will also damage your credit score. As a result, it’s a good idea to pay the ambulance bill.
But as mentioned earlier, don’t just blindly pay the entire thing. Talk to the billing department, be honest with them that the amount is more than you can pay and ask for a reduction. And once they cut the bill (likely at least by half) then ask for a payment plan so you can pay over time.
Ambulance bills are ridiculous. We all know that. But unfortunately if you took a ride, you are legally obligated to pay for it. However, there are things you can do to make it less of a financial headache.
Who is responsible for ambulance bill?
The person who took the ride in the ambulance or their legal guardian over 18 years old is legally responsible for the ambulance bill.
You can assume that taking a ride in an ambulance is like any other service. The person who takes the ride or their legal guardian is responsible for the bill.
This becomes tricky in scenarios where the person taking the ride may not have consented it. For example, if they’re incapacitated or don’t have a say in the matter. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that they are still responsible for the bill.
This drives a lot of controversy and resentment when it comes to ambulance rides, but unfortunately that legal precedent has been set.
But just remember, the EMTs in the ambulance are not the ones charging you. So don’t get upset with them. They’re just trying to help you survive and get you to the hospital.
Does insurance cover ambulance bills?
The answer depends on whether insurance will cover ambulance bills. Some plans will and others won’t, so it’s best to check with your specific plan ahead of time.
However, if you’ve met your deductible and total out of pocket cost for the year, then yes, the full cost of the ambulance ride will be covered. This is because it is a medical expensive and you’ve already paid the max out of pocket.
But you should check these things now. Knowing whether the $5,000 service will be covered can go a long way in deciding whether or not to take an ambulance when the times comes. You don’t want to be calling your insurance company while an emergency is happening.
How to get an ambulance bill waived?
Generally, you can’t get an entire ambulance bill waived, but you can get it reduced. And the best way to do that is to call the billing department and discuss your situation.
As mentioned earlier in this article, the ambulance company just wants to get paid. If they can get paid 10% of the total bill, they would rather take that than nothing. And due to that fact, they are more likely to negotiate with you down to an amount that you can pay.
But there’s no tips or tricks here. The only course of action is to call the company and ask about a reduction in the bill or a payment plan. They generally have these things factored in and can help you turn a $10,000 immediate bill into something more manageable.
How can I dispute an ambulance bill?
The only way to dispute an ambulance bill is through your insurance company or to take the ambulance company to court.
Since a bill from an ambulance company is a legal obligation of debt, meaning they provided a service to you in exchange for financial compensation, you are obliged to pay it.
However, if you were incapacitated and didn’t agree to the ride or there was something else suspicious going on, you do have options.
The first option is to go through your insurance company. If the insurance company is obliged to pay a part of the bill via your healthcare plan and something is suspicious with the service, then they will put their legal department on the matter. This can be extremely helpful because in most cases, the insurance company doesn’t want to pay. And if they can avoid it, they will.
We’ve written about insurance companies before. If you’re interested in learning whether insurance covers Invisalign or wisdom teeth removal, we’ve included those links here.
The second option is to take the ambulance company to court. This is a much more expensive and time consuming process. However, if you have a good case and can pay $2,000 in legal fees instead of $10,000, then this can be a good option. Just make sure to talk to a lawyer and state your case beforehand. They will give you a good idea of whether or not you should move forward.
You can also read about the No Surprises Act, which aims to get rid of these unexpected and sometimes predatory ambulance bills.
Conclusion
There is a lot to know when it comes to receiving an ambulance bill. For many people, it’s one of the worst things that can happen. On top of a traumatic health experience and a visit to the hospital, you can also receive a bill for tens of thousands of dollars.
But luckily there are ways to deal with the bill if it comes to that. Talk to the ambulance company, talk to your insurance company, and do your research.
The most important thing is to not just blindly pay the bill. That is what they are banking on when they charge these outlandish rates for a 10 minute service. There is more you can do and you should explore all of your options before paying the full amount.
