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Ambulance, ER and hospital payments in the USA.

footscrazy

footscrazy

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Apologies if this is the wrong forum.

I recently had an accident in the US and ended up in the ER. I assume I was taken there by ambulance but I don't know for sure as I was unconscious. When I woke up, I got scared and left the hospital (hobbled out as I have a broken ankle :\). A silly thing to do in hindsight, but I was thinking of the US healthcare system and the stories I've heard about it, and wanted to get out as soon as possible.

I had to go home to Australia due to my ankle and the follow up and rehabilitation it needs - my insurance wouldn't cover that.

I knew what hospital I'd been in only from my wristband, so I contacted them and have got my bill sent to me. The bill comes to a few thousand dollars, but my first questions is this: It appears they've taken off most of the charges (leaving me with only a few hundred dollars to pay) under 'ADJ-SELF/UNINS FL RT CO1 adjustments'. What does this mean...?

My second question is, how can I find out whether I was taken by ambulance and how much that costs, so I can pay that bill too?

I want to get this settled. As well, I'll have to go back to the US to continue working once my ankle heals, and I don't want to be stopped at customs or something for outstanding bills.

Sorry if these questions are super dumb, I just can't think of what to do.
 
Ok, I guess you're right. I was just hoping maybe this would be a quick and easy answer for someone from the US, so I thought I'd give it a go before making an international call which I fear wont be short.
 
^ I've done that, as for the first question I think I've figured it out as meaning 'uninsured flat rate' as I've discovered there is a discount for ER services for those without insurance. So all good there. The main prob is the ambulance as I don't even know whether I was taken in one, let alone what company it was. Hopefully the hospital will have that info, looks like the best action will be getting a US calling card and hoping they're quick.
 
use google voice or skype to make the call. its far cheaper than a calling card.

you say you were in an accident, was there a police report from the accident? that will contain details about what happened and where you went.
 
Even if there isn't a police report, since you were transported via ambulance, there should be a report with the city/county/town ambulance service or private ambulance service (depending on the locality again - probably something the local police would be able to tell you - or better yet, the hospital).

The U.S. is pretty steep when it comes to emergency room/department visits, though. Sucks.
 
The customs service will not keep you out because of credit issues. Blow it off like the rest of us do.
 
I would reluctantly agree, but for the record, I don't agree with paying out of pocket for medical expenses, and the idea that an ambulance would somehow be independent from the hospital just seems bizarre to me.
 
Cyc said:
the idea that an ambulance would somehow be independent from the hospital just seems bizarre to me.
Click to expand...
It's very common around here. There are ambulances at the local fire companies and typically when they come get you, they ask which hospital you prefer. Or at least they asked me both times they've had to come get me. 8)

I'll inquire later to the person who paid the bills if the ambulance bill was on the hospital bill or not--I think it was.
 
It was entirely separate--Just counted the same while doing the bills. One bill was for the hospital and another for the ambulance ride.
 
That ambulance ride can be anywhere from $75 to $600 in my experience.

Get this: If I call 911, they come out for free. If I refuse to go to the hospital, there is no charge. If I opt to let them take me to a hospital, I get charged for ambulance services.


Even worse: One of my old insurance policies refused to pick up the ambulance charges. I was supposed to get "pre-authorization". I am sorry. I did not know last week that i was going to get in a car wreck this week.

AmorRoark was right about not paying bills is morally wrong and can affect your credit.


I have a feeling a credit agency will find you if they want the money.
 
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