Navigating a $60,000 Air Ambulance Bill for My Daughter’s Emergency Transport
In early 2022, my 5-year-old daughter faced a serious health crisis that required immediate and specialized medical intervention. She was taken to the emergency room in critical condition and diagnosed with a life-threatening situation. Due to her young age, the hospital was unable to provide the necessary surgical procedure. Consequently, the medical team arranged for an air ambulance to transfer her to a children’s hospital 300 miles away, equipped with the right specialists. An experienced critical care team accompanied her since she had tested positive for COVID-19 at the time.
The situation left us with a staggering $60,000 bill from Mercy Flights, Inc. for the air transport. Despite our consistent efforts over 2.5 years to have our insurance provider, Anthem Blue Cross, cover the cost, the claim has been repeatedly rejected. The insurance company’s reasoning was that the air transport was deemed “not medically necessary.” This decision has crucial implications, as it seems to prevent us from being protected under the No Surprises Act.
While Anthem Blue Cross did cover the ground ambulance to and from the airport, they remain steadfast in their refusal to pay for the air segment of the journey. We’ve been left with a looming deadline: the air ambulance service has given us 30 days to initiate a payment plan or face collections.
The prospect of impacting our credit score is worrisome, especially since making even a single payment might imply acknowledgment of the bill’s liability. We’ve explored every avenue available, including personal and third-party appeals with the insurance, but the ambulance company refuses to pause its actions during this process.
We are seeking guidance on managing this challenging situation, particularly as the incident was an emergency and we were not in a position to pre-approve the services or costs. If anyone has experienced a similar predicament or has advice on managing such disputes, your insights would be invaluable.
Update: A Media Intervention that Changed Everything
Following a wealth of advice, we opted to highlight our plight through the media, enlisting the help of a dedicated investigative journalist. This strategic move proved successful, as it prompted Anthem to reassess and ultimately approve the claim. Our story has been featured on a news platform, and can be viewed [here](https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/air-ambulance-bills-insurance-denials/283-2cc05afb-8099-4786-9d89
