911 Ambulance billing (Austin: 2013, insurance, taxes)

[CptnRn]

We had to call 911 City of Austin for an ambulance Nov. 15. Everyone is OK now but I expect we will get some kind of bill for that service. Does anyone know if this is true?

I'm trying to pay as many medical bills in 2013 for our taxes and hope to get this taken care of.

Anyone out there have any experience with this?

[Trainwreck20]

I had a friend in SA that had an ambulance called, and they received treatment (but no transport). The bill was in the $400-$500 range, IIRC.

Not sure that helps at all for Austin, though.

[749]

that sucks.

[RooCeleste]

Originally Posted by 749

that sucks.

What sucks? That someone has to pay for a medical service they receive? I agree that the cost is high, but in today's world, I'm not surprised.

[749]

no it sucks they had to use an ambulance

[centralaustinite]

Yes, in 2012, we had to call 911, an ambulance was sent and my daughter transported to Dell's Children's. (She is fine now but it was scary as hell). Anyway, yes we got a separate bill, can't remember the exact name of the billing unit, something like "Emergency Transport Services," there was a charge for the ambulance call itself and then a per mile charge for the transport. She was transported less than five miles to the hospital. The total bill was around $800 and our insurance paid something like $250 and we paid the rest.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by 749

no it sucks they had to use an ambulance

I agree it sucks that my wife's leg broke, collapsed from osteoporosis, she was not doing anything strenuous, and we needed an ambulance.

But it was a god send to have the 911 ambulance show up within minutes and transport her to the hospital. They were great guys, we are very happy they were available.

Amazing, Dr. David Savage, surgeon, put a titanium rod in her femur from her hip to her knee, they had her up walking on it in 2 days. Painful but still amazing. When I broke my femur in a mining accident back in 1970 they had me in a bed in traction for a whole month before they could put a cast on it, and it was still 3 more months before I could even put any weight on it.

[daylux]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Yes, in 2012, we had to call 911, an ambulance was sent and my daughter transported to Dell's Children's. (She is fine now but it was scary as hell). Anyway, yes we got a separate bill, can't remember the exact name of the billing unit, something like "Emergency Transport Services," there was a charge for the ambulance call itself and then a per mile charge for the transport. She was transported less than five miles to the hospital. The total bill was around $800 and our insurance paid something like $250 and we paid the rest.

That's outrageous. The cost of healthcare is immoral.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Yes, in 2012, we had to call 911, an ambulance was sent and my daughter transported to Dell's Children's. (She is fine now but it was scary as hell). Anyway, yes we got a separate bill, can't remember the exact name of the billing unit, something like "Emergency Transport Services," there was a charge for the ambulance call itself and then a per mile charge for the transport. She was transported less than five miles to the hospital. The total bill was around $800 and our insurance paid something like $250 and we paid the rest.

Good information, thanks.

[Trainwreck20]

That's outrageous. The cost of healthcare is immoral.

I dunno, it is expensive, but part of what you are paying for is almost immediate response in an expensive vehicle manned by people with extremely high levels of training that are basically just waiting for something to happen - they aren't making money 'doing rounds' or seeing patients, they are just waiting to assist you. Compared to all the medical expenses that you can incur, that one does not seem too out of line, necessarily. If I drive myself to the emergency room and wait two hours to be seen, I have a $250 copay (no idea what insurance ends up paying).