COMMENT 295445
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2012-07-09 08:48 AM |
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If you call AMR ambulance via the 911 system, expect to be charged more than $2,000 for a two mile ride, even if they just transport you and don't render life support or treatment. Just a ride in the ambulance and the charge was over $2,000. If you don't pay up promptly, they send you to collections. I will do whatever possible to get to the hospital via private vehicle should the need arise again. The price for this service is outrageous. We have no alternative in town. Something isn't right here. It's not right that people will hesitate to call for medical care because of the fear of the bill or being sent to collections.
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RLMCDON
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2012-07-09 09:08 AM |
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Call for help to 911 is free. If they render aid of any kind, it's free. Transport is not. Rule of thumb, if the person can be safely transported in any other kind of vehicle and has the means to do it - refuse transport by ambulance.
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COMMENT 295457
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2012-07-09 09:14 AM |
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@RLMCDON - my husband attempted to refuse transport by ambulance after his leg was broken in a motorcycle accident. He wanted to take a cab to the hospital as the break was not that severe. In fact, the paramedics did not even think his leg was broken (it was). The police on scene threatened to arrest him if he did not get in the ambulance. This was in 1993 or 1994....maybe times have changed, but it may not be possible to refuse.
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JOHN WILEY
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2012-07-09 10:32 AM |
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If the situation is urgent, my experience is that arriving at Cottage Emergency via ambulance significantly increases the care. While the AMR rates don't compare favorably with a cab, their total operating expenses are certainly much higher. Hopefully we DO have a choice, and I'm glad the expense has been noted to help us decide.
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COMMENT 295518
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2012-07-09 11:21 AM |
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In my experience, if the patient is admitted, Medicare will pay. If patient isn't admitted... whew. About $2,100.
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COMMENT 295445
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2012-07-09 11:21 AM |
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@John, I've worked in emergency medicine for decades. Even if someone comes by ambulance they will still be triaged as to severity. If they are low priority they will wait. We even used to escort "frequent fliers" who abused ambulances as transportation, into the waiting room to wait their turn...which might be hours from when they arrived. Arriving by ambulance doesn't mean you'll get increased care or seen any faster. Now, complain of "chest pain" and you'll get to the head of the line.
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ROGER DODGER
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2012-07-09 12:54 PM |
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I used to arrived by ambulance alot when I was drinking. Not so much sober although I've been scared acouple of times aniexty..But my insurance paid. I hate when people talk about it because I think I was an ambulance abuser..The firemen at Station 2 used to say "You don't call when you should, but you do when you shouldn't." I was a real pain in the butt when I drank..I usually pay a friend to take me now if I need to go.
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ROGER DODGER
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2012-07-09 03:48 PM |
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How come no one comments after I comment?
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BULLSEYEB
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2012-07-09 06:37 PM |
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I'll comment, Roger. I was recently transported by AMR from Goleta Valley to Cottage. I have to say that the guys were absolutely the kindest, most reassuring individuals! Cost: $1500 for a 7 mile trip! Thank Dog for insurance!!!
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ROGER DODGER
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2012-07-09 08:22 PM |
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Cool..One time when I was having aniexty these guys were humoring my insanity while code 2ing me to Cottage. I was doing the Felix Unger and the guy in the back checking my vitals yells "Code 3 were losing him." Suddenly the driver turns on the lights siren and puts the pedal to the metal I thought I must be in really bad shape....Having a aniexty attack. I look back now and think what they did was funny.. That was a few years back. I think nowadays there's people that ride the ambulances twice a day..The code 40's.
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COMMENT 295718P
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2012-07-09 09:23 PM |
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Those who ride the ambulances several times a day, a week or a month are probably those who can afford to pay nothing, who pay nothing at the ER (and have no insurance) and are the cause for why for the rest the charges are so high. I know someone who got stuck with a $2,000+ bill from the monopoly that is AMR for the slightly more than 2 mile trip to Cottage where she was admitted into the hospital for the night (and had hospitalization coverage but not for the ambulance ride.) She'll never call the ambulance again, she says, but will go by cab.
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COMMENT 295954
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2012-07-10 02:49 PM |
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If you think you will survive to get to the ER, dont call 911. If you are having chest pain, you can be in the ER by the time the ambulance shows up at your house. Get someone to drive you to the ER. Then when you get there, ask the ER doctor if he/she would call 911 or drive themselves.
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COMMENT 295978P
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2012-07-10 04:06 PM |
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10 years ago my husband became dizzy and could not stand up alone at the oncologists office. They called 911-the emts took his blood pressure (the office staff had already done that) The Dr said he was dehydrated from the nausea from chemo. They transported him 1 1/2 blocks to Marian hospital, with no treatment en route. He was admitted to the hospital for iv hydration. The bill for the ambulance was $900+ Then I got a nasty letter from Blue cross saying to use a service that accepts medicare assignment next time. There is no other ambulance service in Santa Maria. I could have transported him myself. (I am a first responder also, but not on ambulance)
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