Can hospital staff impose their choice of ambulance transport ?
Question Details:
My spouse was transported by an out-of-state ambulance company from FL to AL. I requested the county's service to transport him. They refused to call them. I was told that the hospital has a contract with another company. This company had to travel 35 miles from out of state. They do not have a "Certificate of Need" in our county. They also billed for ALS care. Our county's medical review officer stated at a commission meeting that this company can only provide BLS Care. Now I've been balance billed for $927 from the ambulance service and $500 from the hospital. What are my options?
Under various agreements between hospitals and independent ambulance service companies, the hospital has the say as to what ambulance transportation company can be used to transport a patient from the hospital to another facility.This is standard custom and practice in the hospital industry.
Your options would be to contest the charge and seek a reduction in what was charged you. Assuming there is medical insurance involved, I would also contact your husband's insurance carrier about the situation.
