The No Surprises Act left out ground ambulances. Here's what's happening now [View all]

[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!

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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.” ................................................