Sunstar Ambulance bills not covered by any Insurance Company?

Question

The other day, I was picked up by a Sunstar Ambulance that was called by a police officer who thought I was having a panic attack.
I was taken 2 blocks and turned into a guinea pig at the local hospital where they found absolutely nothing wrong with me.
A month later, I got a bill from them for $470. I sent the bill to my medical insurance company and they remanded it back to me saying they wouldn't pay it. So now I'm stuck with it, but I was wondering if there were any technicalities that would allow me not to pay. For instance, the fact that I didn't call the ambulance. And the fact that I verbally protested to being taken anywhere.
I was also wondering whether they will take me to small claims court and what the penalty would be for my not showing up and, in eventuality, never paying them.
I'm a college student. So that should shed some light on my monetary predicament.

Answer 1

It doesn't matter who called the ambulance. Someone thought you needed immediate medical help, and you got it. Unless you signed something stating that you were denying treatment AMA (against medical advice), you're stuck. Therefore, since you recieved services, they're entitled to be paid for them. You didn't say WHY the insurance company refused to pay the bill - that makes a difference. Some insurance companies just deny things like this because they feel like it. Unless it's something NOT covered by your plan (and I can't imagine it in this case) at all, the insurance should be picking up at least something. You need to file an appeal. ESPECIALLY if your ER bill got paid.

Otherwise, you need to negotiate with the ambulance company, because it will be turned over to a collection agency and screw your credit for a VERY long time. It doesn't matter that you can't pay now... They'll wait. Forever if they need to. They have the right to turn it over to different collection agencies every few years so it keeps turning up on your credit report, so unless you plan to never get a credit card, or mortgage, or car loan, you need to address this, and FAST.

If you're going to appeal it with your insurance - which I STRONGLY advise - call the ambulance company immediately to let them know that you're going to fight it out and that you'll keep them aprised of the situation. That should keep you out of collections until a final determination has been made.

Answer 2

So you were picked up by an ambulance and taken to the hospital and taken to the hospital. Your insurance won't pay for it.

#1 why won't the insurance company pay for it? Have you called them? What did they day? Did you ask what your benefit was for an ambulance?

The insurance company could have not paid for the claim, not because it wasn't covered! That's silly! Sunstar could have billed it incorrectly is what I am thinking. If that is the case than Sunstar needs to rebill a correct claim for your services to your insurance company. Okay so they did bill it right, maybe the insurance company just processed it wrong. That happens more than you know, but Sunstar needs to have billed it correctly.

Or Sunstar billed it correctly, the insurance company it and sunstar is billing you for what the insurance didn't covered. Mind you of what your benefit copay is if there is one. If they are billing you more than what you copay is, than the insurance comapy can address the issue for you. Just make sure that you have a current bill statement to referance from.

I work for a medical insurance company, I have seen all policies being covered for land anmbulance without a copay. I have see all the illistrations above as well..

So what you want to do is first of all DO NOT Sunstar. Call your insurance company and discuss the service that was rendered. They can tell you what happened to the claim and what can be done if anything on your part!

Many times it just takes a call or two! Hope you find this helpful!

Answer 3

You need to find out why insurance denied... If they're saying it wasn't an emergency, tell them it was a 911 call... If they say your plan doesn't cover ambulance rides EVER, then you're stuck with it.... Some states have laws about 911 dispatched ambulance trips. I'm assuming you were taken to the ER??? Most plans cover the ambulance if they cover the ER visit. Call your insurance... They can help. If the answer insurance provides is insufficient, ask for a supervisor. good luck

Answer 4

Well, they should have told you WHY they didn't pay it.

But there isn't a "technicality" that will allow you to not pay. You were taken to the hospital in it. Period. The service was rendered.

Eventually, they'll send it through collections, go to court, and get the judgement against you - in addition to the $470, you'll have to pay the court costs and THEIR lawyer fees, and interest until it is paid. It will stay on your record as a debt owed, forever, unless you declare bankruptcy.

They'll be able to attach anything you have, including a paycheck or income tax return, WHEN you get employed. They'll be able to sweep a bank account to collect it. It will count against you when you go to buy a car or a house, if you borrow money to do either. AND, as many employers are doing pre-employment credit checks these days, it could affect your ability to GET a job.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, you're stuck with the bill. If your insurance won't cover it I'd work out a payment arrangement with the ambulance company.
I'd also appeal the decision of your insurance company not to pay. Call your insurer to get that started.

Answer 6

You WILL be charged for ambulance services and are responsible for paying it. Same thing goes for the hospital charges. Contact your insurance company to see if any part of it is covered.

Answer 7

Usually you get a big hospital bill also. If you get with them they can write it off if you claim indigent and they can take care of the ambulance bill also. My son who owns nothing and does not have a permanent address had his incident written off by paying a very minimum payment. Like $25. Explain you did not call the ambulance, you have no money.

Answer 8

Is it in the police record that you protested and did not want transport? If so, you can use that. If not, what was the reason for the denial? Review the police report. You may be able to use what is in it to fight payment.

Answer 9

I would find out why your medical carrier denied the bill.

Answer 10

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