Navigating the Complexities of Air Ambulance Billing: A Mother’s Journey

As a parent, there’s nothing more important than the health and safety of your child. However, when emergencies arise, the Burden of medical expenses can add a layer of stress that no family should have to face alone. My daughter’s recent medical crisis serves as a poignant reminder of this challenge, and I’m reaching out for guidance on an overwhelming air ambulance bill that now exceeds $60,000.

The Emergency

In February 2022, my 5-year-old daughter was rushed to the emergency room due to a severe, life-threatening condition. To our dismay, the hospital was unable to provide the necessary surgery due to her young age. After a thorough assessment, the ER doctors made the difficult decision to transport her via air ambulance to a specialized children’s hospital located 300 miles away. The urgency of the situation was compounded by the fact that she was also battling COVID-19 at the time, requiring a dedicated critical care team onboard.

The Financial Aftermath

Following the emergency, we were faced with a staggering air ambulance bill as we started navigating the insurance claims process with Anthem Blue Cross. Despite covering the costs associated with ground transport, Anthem has consistently denied coverage for the air transport, claiming it was “not medically necessary.” This denial not only leaves us responsible for a significant bill but also complicates our ability to invoke protections under the No Surprises Act.

In a tough position, the air ambulance provider has issued a deadline of 30 days to begin making payments, threatening to escalate the matter to collections. We have exhausted numerous avenues, including direct calls, emails, and face-to-face meetings in hopes of resolving the issue, yet Anthem remains steadfast in their refusal.

Seeking Advice

With one personal appeal left and the option for a third-party appeal still open, I find myself in a quandary. My main concern is that commencing payments may be misconstrued as an admission of liability. Conversely, I dread the thought of harming our credit score.

As a parent, I never imagined I would have to advocate so fiercely for my daughter’s care post-emergency, particularly when financial transparency should ideally be a part of the healthcare landscape. My experience underscores the chaos that can ensue even when facing medical emergencies—an experience I wouldn’t wish on any family.

A Glimmer of Hope

In a fortunate turn of events, we decided to engage the media to help shed light on this