Medical Air Transport and Medicare

[StarkRaven$]

My relative had a ischemic stroke back in June and was flown via helicopter from Northern Colorado to Denver per doctors' orders. Ground transportation would take at least 4 hours and 50 minutes so Medicare deemed this medically necessary.

 

We still haven't received the bill but yesterday the Medicare statement came in. Medicare Part B covers 80% of the approved Medicare reimbursement and the patient pays 20% of that amount. My research on Medicare.gov says no more than the approved Medicare reimbursement can be charged to the patient. So, here is a rundown on what the Medicare statement said:

 

Classic Air Care out of North Salt Lake City, UT 

 

Billed Medicare $64,400 (including mileage)

 

$10,435 Medicare Approved Amount

 

$8,264 paid to Classic Air Care

 

 

 

 

[centex]

What is the question?

 

Reading between the lines, I would anticipate a bill to come shortly now that medicare ponied up. 

[Why Chat]

So your relative will owe $2,171-- If he/she has a medicare advantage plan they may have a $7,500 cap. 

 

It is more than likely that if you saw the billing for the hospitalization and medical services it would far exceed the ambulance billing in proportion to what medicare allows.

[StarkRaven$]

1 hour ago, centex said:

What is the question?

 

Reading between the lines, I would anticipate a bill to come shortly now that medicare ponied up. 

So far no questions, yet; just informational. 

[StarkRaven$]

1 hour ago, Why Chat said:

So your relative will owe $2,171-- If he/she has a medicare advantage plan they may have a $7,500 cap. 

 

It is more than likely that if you saw the billing for the hospitalization and medical services it would far exceed the ambulance billing in proportion to what medicare allows.

No Medicare Advantage, just regular Medicare A and B. The deductible is approximately $2,550 and that was paid.

 

Three words: God Bless Medicare.

[StarkRaven$]

All the medical bills have arrived in the mail from the stroke that occurred in June except for this helicopter transport bill. Some people in our circle say it may take up to a year to arrive. Why is what I wondering.

[Why Chat]

If the transport service is Governmental (ie a County service) it is probably tied up in an archaic computer system. If it is private (for profit) it would depend on the computer systems of the provider. I suggest you look up (google) the name of the provider and see if there are any actions or activities regarding billing that have been reported.

[StarkRaven$]

On 9/22/2022 at 6:56 AM, Why Chat said:

If the transport service is Governmental (ie a County service) it is probably tied up in an archaic computer system. If it is private (for profit) it would depend on the computer systems of the provider. I suggest you look up (google) the name of the provider and see if there are any actions or activities regarding billing that have been reported.

STILL no bill. Found nothing useful on provider either online.

[Why Chat]

"STILL no bill. Found nothing useful on provider either online."

 

Is the provider a private transport Co. or a Municipal/County/State entity?

[StarkRaven$]

1 hour ago, Why Chat said:

"STILL no bill. Found nothing useful on provider either online."

 

Is the provider a private transport Co. or a Municipal/County/State entity?

They are private. Before entering the medical rescue transport business, they were a tourism helicopter company.

[Why Chat]

If they are still in business they MAY have had a change of ownership since your service.  In addition each State has regulations determining the period of time after medical services were provided to issue a bill.

https://www.singlecare.com/blog/medical-billing-time-limits/

[StarkRaven$]

5 hours ago, Why Chat said:

If they are still in business they MAY have had a change of ownership since your service.  In addition each State has regulations determining the period of time after medical services were provided to issue a bill.

https://www.singlecare.com/blog/medical-billing-time-limits/

Thanks for the link Why Chat. Very interesting and informative information.

[StarkRaven$]

On 8/25/2022 at 7:31 AM, StarkRaven$ said:

My relative had a ischemic stroke back in June and was flown via helicopter from Northern Colorado to Denver per doctors' orders. Ground transportation would take at least 4 hours and 50 minutes so Medicare deemed this medically necessary.

 

We still haven't received the bill but yesterday the Medicare statement came in. Medicare Part B covers 80% of the approved Medicare reimbursement and the patient pays 20% of that amount. My research on Medicare.gov says no more than the approved Medicare reimbursement can be charged to the patient. So, here is a rundown on what the Medicare statement said:

 

Classic Air Care out of North Salt Lake City, UT 

 

Billed Medicare $64,400 (including mileage)

 

$10,435 Medicare Approved Amount

 

$8,264 paid to Classic Air Care

 

 

 

 

Finally the helicopter medical transport bill came in. It was sent almost seven months after the service. Everything checks out so it will be paid promptly.

 

I believe it's notiable to mention bills such as these that arrive over six months after the service. There are a lot of people out who have forgotten about medical charges and are blindsided when a new medical bill arrives.

[StarkRaven$]

On 1/13/2023 at 8:19 AM, StarkRaven$ said:

Finally the helicopter medical transport bill came in. It was sent almost seven months after the service. Everything checks out so it will be paid promptly.

 

I believe it's notiable to mention bills such as these that arrive over six months after the service. There are a lot of people out who have forgotten about medical charges and are blindsided when a new medical bill arrives.

My brother's thoughts on taking up to seven months for a for profit medical transport business to send a bill, "What if I died?" Seriously though, a 72 year old male suffers a stroke and is transported via helicopter hundreds of miles, and the provider waits that long?