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Alicia Wieberg shared that the bill totaling $81,739.40 for her mother’s air-ambulance ride was received less than two weeks after her mother’s passing.
Lisa Krantz/KFF Health News
Alicia Wieberg mentioned that the $81,739.40 bill for her mother’s air-ambulance ride arrived shortly after her mother’s demise.
Debra Prichard, a retired factory worker known for being frugal, especially with medical expenses, suffered a severe stroke and multiple aneurysms last year. Despite her usual reluctance to seek medical care, she was transferred twice from her local hospital to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where she received specialized treatment for brain-related issues. Tragically, she passed away on October 31 at the age of 70.
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During one of her hospital transfers to Nashville, Debra Prichard was flown by helicopter ambulance. Alicia Wieberg, her daughter, was aware of the potentially high costs associated with such flights but was taken aback by the exorbitant charge. The bill arrived shortly thereafter.
The bill detailed Debra Prichard’s air-ambulance flight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, provided by Med-Trans Corp., a medical transportation service under Global Medical Response. The total bill amounted to $81,739.40, none of which was covered by insurance.
Concerns over steep bills from air-ambulance services have led to complaints and government intervention in recent times. While the 2020 No Surprises Act protects patients with private insurance from excessive billing, those with public coverage like Medicare face significantly lower payment rates set by the government.
Unfortunately, Prichard had opted out of the Medicare coverage that includes ambulance services, leaving her estate responsible for the full air-ambulance fee upon her passing.
Following Debra Prichard’s death, her estate was presented with the daunting task of settling the $82,000 air-ambulance bill, a substantial portion of which could potentially deplete the estate’s assets, mainly comprising 12 acres of land and her long-time residence in Decherd, Tenn.
The complexity of Medicare coverage played a pivotal role in the family’s predicament. Prichard had only enrolled in Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient care but excludes services like ambulance rides, doctor visits, and outpatient treatments.
Experts estimate that had Prichard signed up for Medicare Part B, the maximum charge for her flight would have been significantly lower, potentially sparing her estate from the hefty bill. However, her decision not to enroll in Part B left her vulnerable to the full cost of the air-ambulance service.
Despite efforts to negotiate a reduction in the bill, the air-ambulance company had not offered any concessions as of mid-February. Other healthcare providers involved in Prichard’s care had waived some fees, but the substantial amount owed to the air-ambulance company remained unresolved.
It is crucial for Medicare-eligible individuals to consider enrolling in Part B to avoid potential financial burdens associated with medical services not covered by Part A. Resources are available to help navigate Medicare coverage options and alleviate the financial strain of healthcare expenses.
Meena Seshamani, director of the federal Center for Medicare, emphasized the importance of seeking assistance and guidance in understanding Medicare coverage to make informed decisions regarding healthcare.
As the family continues to grapple with the aftermath of Debra Prichard’s air-ambulance bill, Alicia Wieberg reflects on the challenges posed by the fragmented nature of Medicare coverage and the financial implications for individuals and their families.
KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is dedicated to producing comprehensive journalism on health-related issues and operates as a core program under KFF — a leading source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Emmarie Huetteman of KFF Health News edited the digital story, and Taunya English of KFF Health News edited the audio story. NPR’s Will Stone oversaw the editing of the audio and digital story.