Getting hit with an ambulance bill can be a shocking and stressful experience. As someone who’s gone through it myself, I want to provide some guidance on how long you actually have to pay these often exorbitant bills
The Problem With Ambulance Bills
Ambulance companies often don’t participate in insurance networks. This means that even if the hospital or doctor you’re brought to is in-network, the ambulance itself may be out-of-network
According to research from U.S. PIRG Education Fund, around 50% of ambulance trips are out-of-network. The median out-of-pocket balance for these trips was $450, but in some states averages over $1,000.
The reason for this is that when you call 911, the dispatcher just sends whichever ambulance can respond the quickest. There’s no time to check on your insurance coverage. As Patricia Kelmar of U.S. PIRG says:
“Nobody should be asking about coverage — you just want the closest response. Always call, don’t try to second guess it.”
Unfortunately, the No Surprises Act that went into effect in 2022 doesn’t do anything to protect consumers from surprise ambulance bills. That’s because the ambulance industry itself lobbied heavily against being included.
So this major loophole still leaves consumers vulnerable.
Do You Have To Pay The Full Bill Right Away?
When you receive a surprisingly high ambulance bill, it can feel like the payment is due immediately. However, you actually have more time than you think.
Here’s a quick overview of how long you have before an ambulance bill may be sent to collections:
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30-90 days: This is the typical billing window where you will receive the initial bill. You don’t need to pay anything during this period.
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90-120 days: If you haven’t paid or set up a payment plan, you’ll receive more notices during this period. You still don’t need to pay, but should start negotiating.
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120-180 days: This is when the ambulance company may threaten to send your bill to collections. You can still negotiate and set up payment plans.
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180+ days: If you’ve made no effort to pay or negotiate, your bill may be sent to collections. This can hurt your credit score.
So as you can see, you have at least 2-3 months before any major consequences. Use this time to negotiate and seek assistance. Don’t let them pressure you into immediate payment.
Negotiating Your Ambulance Bill
When you get your ambulance bill, your first step should be to negotiate. Ambulance companies are often willing to provide significant discounts if it means receiving some payment.
Here are some tips for negotiating your ambulance bill:
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Get an itemized bill so you can verify and contest specific charges
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Offer partial payment like 40% of the bill as that can be attractive for ambulance companies
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Ask your insurance to cover more if they only paid a small portion initially
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Use payment assistance programs offered by hospitals, charities, and the ambulance company itself
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Request bills be reduced due to financial hardship and inability to pay the full amount
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Threaten to report them to state insurance commissioners or the attorney general if they don’t negotiate in good faith
The key is to negotiate early and make some effort toward payment. Ambulance companies would rather have a reduced payment than send you to collections and get nothing.
Payment Plans For Ambulance Bills
If you can’t afford to pay your ambulance bill immediately, request a payment plan. Most ambulance companies will work with you on a plan that fits your financial situation.
Typical payment plans allow you to pay over 6-12 months. When requesting a plan consider asking for:
- Monthly payments of no more than $100 or an affordable amount
- No interest or fees on the payment plan
- Flexibility to pause or adjust payments if needed
Get any payment plan agreed to in writing before sending your first payment. This will protect you if there are ever discrepancies down the road.
Financial Assistance For Ambulance Bills
There are also many sources of financial assistance available if you simply can’t afford your ambulance bill:
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Hospital charity care – Most hospitals offer financial assistance or charity care programs that can cover ambulance bills.
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State medically indigent programs – Your state may have programs that provide aid for medical bills.
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Crowdfunding – Consider turning to GoFundMe and similar sites where family and friends can donate to help cover your ambulance bill.
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Loans or credit cards – As a last resort, personal loans or credit cards with 0% intro APRs can buy you time to pay.
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Bankruptcy – For extreme medical debt, bankruptcy may be an option to discharge bills. Consult with a lawyer.
The key is to exhaust all of these options before considering paying the full bill yourself. Don’t let the ambulance company pressure you into anything you can’t afford.
In Summary
It’s important to know you have time on your side when you get hit with a surprising ambulance bill. You typically have at least 2-3 months before it may get sent to collections. Use this time to call your insurance, negotiate with the ambulance company, and seek financial assistance.
While extremely frustrating, these bills can usually be lowered substantially or eliminated entirely. Don’t panic or act rashly. Take a breath, then carefully go through all your options. It will work out!
Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of how long you have to pay an ambulance bill and the negotiation tactics that can help reduce or eliminate it. The absurd costs of ambulance services in America should be addressed through legislation. But in the meantime, we consumers have to look out for each other and share advice. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can assist you in any way!
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Q&A: Paying For Ambulance Services
FAQ
What is the new law for ambulance in California?
What happens if an ambulance bill goes to collections?
How long does it take to get an ambulance Bill?
ER physician bill – It may take up to 6 months to receive a separate bill from the ER doctor, especially if they are out-of-network. Their billing and coding process takes longer. Ambulance bill – An ambulance bill often arrives within 2-3 months but can take up to a year in some cases. Operated by local municipalities, billing may be delayed.
Do ambulance patients get a surprise bill for out-of-network services?
One study found that between 2010 and 2016, 85% of ambulance patients were hit with a surprise bill for out-of-network services, also known as a balance bill. The size of the bill can vary tremendously among states.
How many ambulance patients get a surprise bill?
Some 3 million patients go to the hospital in an ambulance each year, more than half of whom will end up with a surprise bill, according to the consumer advocacy group. One study found that between 2010 and 2016, 85% of ambulance patients were hit with a surprise bill for out-of-network services, also known as a balance bill.
Can a ground ambulance be a surprise medical bill?
In January, Ohio enacted a law banning surprise medical bills starting in 2022 that mirrors the No Surprises Act but includes ground ambulances. In New York, out-of-network providers can’t bill insured patients more than in-network rates in emergency situations, including for ground ambulances though not for transports between facilities.
When should you not pay an ambulance bill?
You should not pay an ambulance bill when: the medical condition that led to the call was not serious enough to require transport to the hospital. 2. The ambulance was not dispatched in a timely manner.
What happens if you get a surprise bill from an ambulance?
Healthcare experts say the impact of surprise bills from ambulance rides may go beyond financial risk for patients. “If patients are reluctant to call an ambulance and go to a hospital when they are ill, that can have consequences,” Chhabra says. “That’s why we need to protect patients from these kinds of bills.”