Why do I get a bill when I call EMS? (San Antonio: limo, home)

[xsa210tx]

It's ludicrous but that's how it is. I know someone who called EMS due to rapid heartbeat and they billed her $100.00 something dollars SIMPLY for checking her vitals for a mere 5 minutes, and off they went over 100 dollars richer.

Just beware that the minute you give them your ID and information, they have your address, so they know where to send the bill.

Moderator cut: inappropriate

Since you do have the bill now, keep in mind that you, in no way, have to pay a mininum payment every month. Feel free to pay only $1.00 every month online (they accept payments online) if that's all you can pay with your credit/debit card.

The name of the business that will handle your bill is: Business & Professional Services, in downtown San Antonio. The City of the San Antonio doesn't handle any payments; they contract through this company to handle all that for them.

I know of them because they are the exact same company that handles EMS bills for the City of San Antonio AND bills for emergency room visits for some of the hospitals in San Antonio.

[skeet09]

If you have health insurance, just send back the invoice stub with the medical insurance information on it. It's pretty much an automatic thing. My mother in law got a bill and she has medicaid so we filled out the form with her medicaid info and sent it back.
I believe the fire department only bills you if you cross over a flood zone and need to be rescued.

[cinnamon_toast]

Originally Posted by xsa210tx

It's ludicrous but that's how it is. I know someone who called EMS due to rapid heartbeat and they billed her $100.00 something dollars SIMPLY for checking her vitals for a mere 5 minutes, and off they went over 100 dollars richer.

Just beware that the minute you give them your ID and information, they have your address, so they know where to send the bill.

Moderator cut: inappropriate
Since you do have the bill now, keep in mind that you, in no way, have to pay a mininum payment every month. Feel free to pay only $1.00 every month online (they accept payments online) if that's all you can pay with your credit/debit card.

The name of the business that will handle your bill is: Business & Professional Services, in downtown San Antonio. The City of the San Antonio doesn't handle any payments; they contract through this company to handle all that for them.

I know of them because they are the exact same company that handles EMS bills for the City of San Antonio AND bills for emergency room visits for some of the hospitals in San Antonio.

Our health care system is a mess! I will be the first to say that. But you get a team of EMT's coming to your home on the double - they have all the equipment and training to take care of you, no matter what they find, expect to pay them for it! Even a physician's office visit would easily cost you $100. And if you think the EMTs are getting all that $100, think again.

[TexasRedneck]

Originally Posted by xsa210tx

It's ludicrous but that's how it is. I know someone who called EMS due to rapid heartbeat and they billed her $100.00 something dollars SIMPLY for checking her vitals for a mere 5 minutes, and off they went over 100 dollars richer.

REALLY?

How much does the ambulance cost that they drove over to check her freakin' heartrate? How many motorists were forced to yield (and how many potential accidents were there) because someone couldn't be bothered to go to the doctor's office?!???

Did they get there magically via warp? Did they return to their station the same way? Let me see....2 men....10 minutes there, 15 minutes on site (no matter what you say, there's no way they were in and out in 5 minutes - and even 15 would be fast), 10 minutes back to station. Process the call paperwork back at the station, replenish truck of any supplies used - they tied up at least an hour for 2 men - on a non-emergency call.....and you call $100 "getting rich"?!??

[OaklandR]

Originally Posted by skeet09

If you have health insurance, just send back the invoice stub with the medical insurance information on it. It's pretty much an automatic thing. My mother in law got a bill and she has medicaid so we filled out the form with her medicaid info and sent it back.
I believe the fire department only bills you if you cross over a flood zone and need to be rescued.

I tried this (EMS with no ride) and my brother-in-law (EMS call with ride) has tried this. Both of us have United Health Care. Both were denied. Both times they said you have to be admitted for it to be covered.

[ChrisSA_wxatUIW]

Originally Posted by Newk

Wife called EMS a few weeks ago and they took her vitals and then promptly left. Why do they send me a bill? If I called the Fire Department because of a fire would they also send me a bill? If I called the Police because someone was breaking in, would they send me a bill as well?

because the government (and likewise your taxes) don't pay for medical expenses
I think we tried to do something about that 3 years ago....................

[Trackwatch]

Originally Posted by OaklandR

I tried this (EMS with no ride) and my brother-in-law (EMS call with ride) has tried this. Both of us have United Health Care. Both were denied. Both times they said you have to be admitted for it to be covered.

I guess that cuts down on the people that call to get their heart rate and blood pressure taken.

[txtea]

Wonder if they will come out and clip my toenails......

Most ambulance services that I know of are privately owned.....the city and your tax dollars have nothing to do with it.

I did have a little fun with the ambulance service that took me to the hospital a few years ago when I wrecked my motorcycle . They charged my $580.00 for a ride to the hospital....when I got the bill, I told them I don't recall riding in an ambulance. They explained that I was probably on a Morphine drip and don't remember much. Well, I said, I'm not going to pay for a ride that I don't remember taking! They saw it differently. Some people have no sense of humor.

[skeet09]

Originally Posted by OaklandR

I tried this (EMS with no ride) and my brother-in-law (EMS call with ride) has tried this. Both of us have United Health Care. Both were denied. Both times they said you have to be admitted for it to be covered.

You can appeal with your insurance if you feel you have a good case.
Why call the ambulance though if there's a strong possibility that the individual will not have to be admitted? In the future, I'd recommend going to an urgent care clinic first if at all possible.

[Paka]

I think it is time that we ALL realize that IF there is a true emergency, we want to know you CAN call EMS and get some medical attention when minutes count and could make the difference between life and death...and without paying for the transportation, EMT's, gas it takes to get there, insurance, repairs, etc...there would be NO ONE to call if there was an emergency.

Keep in mind how many stories have been in the news about fools calling 911 to complain that someone got their burger order wrong at a drive thru.....

Yes, I AM a nurse and truly believe that maybe 1 out of every 5 calls to EMS are not actually necessary, but could have been handled proactively vs reactively in a medical situation. It is like whining that you sat in the emergency room for hours complaining of something you have been suffering from for days....DUH!!!