Unfortunately, some injuries resulting from personal injury accidents are just too severe for victims to be transported to hospitals in ambulances. When victims suffer critical injuries, they are sometimes transported via air ambulance – or medivac. Patients that are in critical condition and in need of immediate medical attention can also be transported from different cities, different states, and even different countries.
Although we are most familiar with emergency air ambulance services, these services can also be requested by patients and their families under some circumstances. Undeniably, air ambulance costs are among the highest. If you have any questions surrounding your air ambulance bills and your options to reduce or cover the bills, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our law firm immediately.
Our lawyers here at Normandie Law Firm are ready to provide you with the information that you need. Our lawyers are ready to answer all your questions and guide you every step of the way. Do not hesitate to contact the experts at our firm immediately. Our lawyers are ready to help.
Some Questions and Answers
Without a doubt, being airlifted to a hospital after an accident can be lifesaving. Similarly, being transported via air ambulance from a different city, state, or even another country can significantly improve chances of survival. However, air ambulance (medivac) bills are among the highest medical expenses that anyone could encounter. After getting the bill, victims and their families are likely to have some of the questions below:
Why is my air ambulance bill so high? Your air ambulance bill is so high because of the type of service that you are getting. According to a 2019 study, air ambulance transport, specifically, transport via helicopter, has a median cost of $268 per mile. Air ambulance is used when the use of a traditional ambulance is impractical or unsafe due to distance, for instance. Even a short 50-mile trip could start at $13,000 for the trip alone. You should also account for the staff on the helicopter, which will likely include the pilot, physician, flight paramedic, flight nurse, etc. In addition, the flight will likely be out-of-network, which means that patients could expect to be billed up to $55,000. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, approximately two-thirds of all medical flights for patients who are privately insured are out-of-network.
What is the average air ambulance bill? You should expect a hefty bill for your air ambulance flight. The bill will depend on the details surrounding the flight. For instance, very short flights can cost less than $2,000 while longer flights (domestic) can cost up to $50,000. International air ambulance flights can cost over $200,000. In addition, the type of aircraft and how it is staffed matters significantly. Crafts that are staffed only by paramedics in contrast to a doctor and a nurse will cost less. Transport in larger aircrafts will always cost more.
Can I set up a payment program with the company? Yes, you could set up a payment program with the company. Most air ambulance companies are private companies which offer payment plans for their patients. The terms of the payment plan will depend on the company (since each company handles payment programs differently). Although you might be able to make monthly payments, you will need to pay off the entire cost.
Will my insurance cover the bills? Some insurance policies cover air transport. If your policy specifically cover’s air transport, then you might have little to nothing to worry about. Your insurance could cover most of the bill. Depending on your policy, you could expect to have pay coinsurance of 10% to 50% of the total cost; or, you could have a copy of under $50 to $500 or more. This will all depend on your specific insurance policy. Unfortunately, two-thirds of all medical flights are out-of-network, which can result in the insurance company paying little to nothing.
What if my health insurance doesn’t cover the bill? If your health insurance doesn’t cover your bill, you might need to explore the other options available to you. Your insurance company might not cover your air ambulance bill if your policy does not include any air transport coverage or if the air transport was out-of-network.
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How to Get Help Reducing My Air Ambulance Bills
Without a doubt, air ambulance bills can be overwhelming. How can you get help reducing your air ambulance bills? What are your options?
Are there any government programs that can help me pay off my medivac bills? Some government health care programs, like Medicare and Medicaid can potentially cover helicopter air ambulance bills. If you have health care through these programs, your medical air transport bills can be covered. Some states are working on passing legislation to help with air ambulance bills. California, for example, passed Assembly Bill No. 651 (which went into effect in January 2020). This bill protects consumers from out-of-network air ambulance bills. It limits what consumers are charged to the amount they would’ve been charged if they had used an in-network air-transport provider (since most patients in need of air transport don’t have the time or sometimes the consciousness to ensure that their transport/care stays in-network). The bill only applies to health plans that are regulated by the state.
Are there any charities or organizations that can help me pay off my medical air evacuation or air ambulance transport? Yes, there are organizations dedicated to helping cover medical costs, like air transport costs. There are countless organizations waiting to help those in need. The organizations that you have access to will vary based on your location.
Is there any organization that offers cheaper air ambulance transport? Yes, there are organizations that offer affordable and sometimes free air transport. Since these organizations run on donations, they can offer essential air ambulance travel at approximately one-third of the cost. Some organizations can even offer free transport. Of course, this option is not realistic or practical for those who are in need of emergency transport. Rather, this option is better suited for those looking to schedule transport and those with time to “shop-around” for the best option.
What if I’m filing a lawsuit? If you or a member of your family were injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, you could sue. Your legal team can help you negotiate your medical bills – including your air ambulance bills. Our team can negotiate with the air transport provider to reduce your air ambulance bills and ensure that you pay as little as possible out-of-pocket.
Without a doubt, there are options available to you and your family. For more information, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our law firm immediately.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
If you would like to learn more about how to get help reducing your air ambulance bills, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our firm immediately. Normandie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm with many years of experience handling all sorts of injury claims. No matter the accident that you or a member of your family suffered, our experts can help you. Our lawyers are ready to help you every step of the way – including doing everything possible to negotiate your medical expenses and reduce them as much as possible. If you are looking for a lawyer that can help reduce and negotiate your bills, do not hesitate to contact our lawyers immediately.
Is there a law firm that can help me with my air ambulance bills? Yes! Our experts are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need. To make things as easy as possible, we offer free legal services. Our free legal services include free consultations and free second opinions. During our free legal services, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions and address all your concerns. Our lawyers will provide you with all the guidance that you need.
At our firm, we offer a Zero-Fee guarantee; therefore, our lawyers will not be required to pay upfront legal fees to speak with our experts. In addition, we work on contingency; therefore, our lawyers will not be required to pay anything until after reaching a positive claim outcome. If you don’t win, you will not be required to pay us anything.
If you are ready to speak with our experts, contact us today.
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