Air Ambulance Insurance Reimbursement

[GKTrader]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had trouble getting insurance to reimburse an air ambulance. I was transferred from a medical hospital in Fort Collins, CO to a rehab hospital in Chicago, IL for the bargain price of 15K and insurance denied it on the first claim. For my appeal I have a letter from my doctor here in chicago outlining the superior care offered by the rehab hospital and another letter from a psychologist in chicago about the emotional benefits of being close to home (i'm from chicago). Any insight or experiences that you could share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Andy]

I know my helocopter ride from Lake Forest Hospital to Lutheran General in Park Ridge was initially denied, I dont remember if they gave a specific reason or not, but reading my plan summary showed something like that would be covered in an emergency. I called them up and told them that having a broken back and multiple other injuries required a Level 1 trauma center, quickly. They paid. (The only reason I went to Lake Forest was they had a helocopter pad there). I'm not too sure how your policy works, was there any wording that they used to deny the claim? Non-emergency? No coverage? Or ??? Appeal anyway, depending on your carrier they love playing games with denials just to see if something will stick.

[cynthiat]

After an initial denial of covering a medical jet ride for my son from PA to GA, I read my policy VERY carefully and found that it said medical transportation by ambulance or air (there was a third mode of transportation given also, but I can't remember it right now) was covered. And it had nothing to do with where we lived, because home is NJ and we wanted him to be at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. So find what you can to help you in your policy. And even if you don't, keep at them. Hopefully you'll prevail. Good luck!

Cynthia
www.pushtowalknj.org

[alpentalic]

I was transferred from Maine to Portland for 30k. There was a moment there when we were just going to load me in the back of a VW bus and pull a "Little Miss Sunshine". It took doctor's letters, lobbying by the hospital worker, and not taking no for an answer time and time again for insurance to finally cave.

[wazabiker]

It took more than a year for my insurance company to pay my helicopter ride. The bill was very near $10,000 for an 80 mile flight from crash scene to level one trauma center. Perservance, perserverance, perseverance!

[jessedawson]

Insurance companies have stringent requirements regarding the conditions necessary to qualify for air ambulance cost reimbursement. The first place to look to see if your trip qualifies is your policy with a comprehensive health care insurer, such as Blue Cross & Blue Shield, AIG, Aetna, etc.In most cases, an urgent medical need, documented by a physician, is required for reimbursement.

You air ambulance company can assist you with your claim against your insurance company....

[marshalls]

$10,000 for 80 miles in an air ambulance? That's ridiculous!

[bnagore141]

So far my husband had 6 ambulance rides, 1 helicopter ride from one hospital to another, then 3 weeks later a private medical jet plane from Orange County, Ca to Tucson, Az and believe it or not my insurance paid all, except 100 co pay for each. The heli was 16,900 and the jet was only 12,000.