Navigating the Challenges of Air Ambulance Bills: One Mother’s Journey
As a parent, facing a medical emergency with your child is daunting enough without the added stress of overwhelming medical bills. Recently, I found myself in such a situation, grappling with a staggering bill of $60,000 from Mercy Flights, Inc. for air transportation following my 5-year-old daughter’s urgent need for specialized surgery.
In February 2022, my daughter was rushed to the emergency room in critical condition. The medical team determined that she required immediate surgical intervention, but unfortunately, the facilities available at our local hospital weren’t equipped to handle her case, particularly given her vulnerable age and COVID-19 positive status. The decision was made to transport her 300 miles away to a specialized children’s hospital equipped with the necessary surgical team.
After her successful transfer, we began the arduous process of dealing with the financial aftermath. For over two and a half years, we’ve been in an ongoing battle with our insurance provider, Anthem Blue Cross, which denied coverage for the air ambulance service, labeling it as “not medically necessary.” While they did cover the costs of ground transportation to and from the airport, they refused to acknowledge the critical nature of the air transport. This decision not only left us with an astronomical bill but also seemed to exploit loopholes in the No Surprises Act, consequently limiting our options for recourse.
Time is of the essence, as the air ambulance company has now issued a 30-day ultimatum for payment, threatening to escalate the matter to collections. We still have one appeal left and can initiate a third-party appeal with the insurance company, but the air ambulance company is unwilling to delay the payment request. This predicament leaves us in a precarious position; making payments could be interpreted as accepting the debt, yet I am equally concerned about the potential impact on our family’s credit score.
Despite numerous calls, emails, and even an in-person meeting in an attempt to resolve this issue, it seems we have reached an impasse. In light of this ongoing struggle, I am turning to the community for advice. Given that this transport was a necessity during a medical emergency and I was unable to choose or negotiate the cost of services, what alternatives do I have?
Update: After receiving a wealth of advice, we decided to involve the media in our case. Thankfully, we connected with a remarkable investigative reporter who was willing to take up our cause. Our narrative gained traction, and
