The No Surprises Act left out ground ambulances. Here's what's happening now

[riversedge]

A LONG time ago, I know lawmakers were chewing the cud over this issue but I lost tract of it.
I see now that it was dropped. damn!

Link to tweet

?s=20





Paramedics carrying patient in ambulance at night
Laura Santhanam


The No Surprises Act left out ground ambulances. Here’s what’s happening now

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/the-no-surprises-act-left-out-ground-ambulances-heres-whats-happening-now


Health Aug 17, 2023 6:58 PM EDT

Minutes after Lainey Arebalo gave birth to her third child last September, hospital staff noticed her son was having trouble breathing. They recommended placing the infant in an ambulance so he could receive care at a better-equipped pediatric facility 23 miles away. Within days of receiving that extra care, Avebalo was able to bring her healthy baby home where their waiting family welcomed him.

But a few weeks later, as everyone adjusted to the newborn’s fickle schedule and Arebalo continued her own recovery, letters began to show up. They said she now owed $4,400 for her son’s ambulance ride.

She called her insurer, only to learn they did not cover transportation from this company. It was the only ambulance company in her county. Arebalo still tried to get the two parties to talk to each other. By October, the ambulance company threatened to turn her over to a collections agency if she did not pay.

“The ambulance bill was an actual surprise bill,” said Arebalo, 29, a special education teacher in San Luis Obispo County, California. “We did not think it was going to be as much as it was.” ................................................

[dalton99a]

1. This is so fucked up

[Grins]

2. And in that link this line:

…insurance companies very often “have been under-reimbursing for critical life-saving services.”

From denying Rx’s, overriding doctors, blocking or delaying surgeries/treatments or care that people need - it all comes down to insurance companies.

No other country has this. Get them out of the healthcare business!

[Phoenix61]

3. There is one ambulance service in my county and they

don’t take insurance, not even Medicare.

[rainin]

4. This happened to me. I got a $5000 bill for an out of network ambulance

I chose an in-network emergency room.

I chose an in-network hospital to be transported to.

The ER staff arranged the ambulance and I probably signed something agreeing to pay whatever insurance didn't pay.

I was completely unaware I was getting an out-of-network ambulance. I also was in significant distress when all this was happening.

When the bill came, I called the insurance company and they agreed to resubmit it with this explanation.

I haven't heard anything in months. I'm worried that any day, I'll get the bill.

I've decided if I get that bill, I'll pay $5/month for the rest of my life

[BComplex]

5. If Americans paid IN TAXES the amount they pay Insurance Companies

Insurance companies who in turn have to pay MILLIONS
of staff and management personnel,
huge real estate prices for massive buildings in big cities
huge amounts of money to geniuses to figure out how to squeeze more out of every injured soul

plus pay the doctors offices and hospital workers in claims

we could for a much lower price afford health care coverage like they do in Canada and so many advanced European countries.

Insurance companies need to get the hell out of health care, except for the very wealthy who want to pay extra for concierge coverage.