I just got a $300 bill for an ambulance ride I thought was covered. Am I the only one who didn't know Medicare doesn't pay for all emergency transport?

Question

Maureen McKenna · Accepted Answer

Medicare does pay for covered ambulance service but certain criteria must be met. There is a $257 Annual deductible for all medical costs that must be satisfied and a 20% coinsurance on all ambulance services. Consult with a licensed agent to find out what the criteria is that you have to meet in order for it to be a covered service. Supplement/MediGap pland and Advantage plans include coverage for Ambulance services as well.

Answered by Maureen McKenna on April 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AZ, CO & 19 other states

Answered by Maureen McKenna Medicare Insurance Agent

Charise Karjala · Answer

Sounds like you’re in a Medicare advantage policy. Each Medicare advantage policy has different co-pays and some of them have $300 co-pays for Ambulance.

The summary of all of the co-pays is included in the evidence of coverage you received when you signed up. You may want to refer to that just to confirm.

If it is not outlined specifically in your evidence of coverage as being $300, then contact the carrier and dispute the charge.

That’s your right.

Nikki Rowland · Answer

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, there is a CO-Pay for each service provided to you including an ambulance ride. This is another reason I feel it is so important to have a local agent that explains all of the details to you so you don't have surprise bills.

Answered by Nikki Rowland on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC & NC

Answered by Nikki Rowland Medicare Insurance Agent

Jay Larshus · Answer

An ambulance bill will depend on the type of Medicare plan you have. Most Medicare Supplements today will have a Part B deductible that needs to be met first. Medicare Plan C or Medicare Advantage plans will typically have a copay for an Ambulance.

Answered by Jay Larshus on April 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN & VA

Answered by Jay Larshus Medicare Insurance Agent

John Stagner · Answer

First of all, many people are unsure exactly how Medicare works in every situation, so you can’t be the only one!

Ambulance services normally fall under part B. Depending on which type of plan you have, the payment will be different for an ambulance ride.

1. Original Medicare alone without an advantage plan: you pay 20% of the ambulance bill.

2. Medicare advantage: there is normally a preset co-pay for ambulance rides, and they will vary depending on where you are in the country. $300 is a pretty common amount for that.

3. Medicare supplement: with the most common Medicare supplements (Plan F, G or N), medicare pays 80% of the ambulance ride, and the supplement pays the rest. With Plan G or Plan N, you may still need to meet your part B deductible for the year in order for the supplement to pick up the entire cost. For 2025, the Medicare Part B deductible is $257.

Kristine Gurley · Answer

On Original Medicare you have a 20% co-insurance for all Part B medical cost including Emergency Transportation.  Medicare only covers 80% leaving you the Medicare Beneficiary with the remaining 20%.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

You are always covered for a one-way ambulance trip but maybe you failed to show them your 2 medicare cards when they picked you up. Therefore, make a copy of the bill and show the means that it was already paid. Send it in to the claims department of the primary plan & a refund check should be forthcoming in a month or so.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

Unexpected medical or ambulance bills are common. 

Medicare Part B may cover ambulance services when they are medically necessary and other forms of transportation are unsafe, but it's important to understand the specific conditions for coverage.

In most cases, the beneficiary receives a bill because that is their copay on their specific Medicare Advantage Plan for ambulance services. It is good practice to make sure you fully understand your plan and coverage>

With that being said, there are plans available (Hospital Indemnity plans) that can help cover inpatient hospital stays, outpatient surgeries, ambulance services, and more. Most of the time, the premiums on such plans are less per year than one 2-day stay in the hospital.

Dana Dane · Answer

I am assuming you have a Medicare Advantage plan. I have not see a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a $0 copay for ambulance service. Please call your agent to review your plan benefits again. If you do not have an agent, please review your summary of benefits and/or call your insurance company. If you are educated about your benefits there will be no surprises.

Answered by Dana Dane on April 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in OR, AZ, CA & 6 other states

Answered by Dana Dane Medicare Insurance Agent

Aaron Solomon · Answer

Your traditional Medicafre part A & B does not cover transportantion. If you have a MAPD plan
you will have coverage . You will pay a co=pay.

Shelly Hefley · Answer

I think the question is what type of coverage do you have? And many Advantage plans have copayments for ambulance rides. If you would like to call me, I’m happy to go over that with you.

Valentina Gatewood · Answer

Coverage for Emergency transport all depends on your supplemental that you signed up for. We can go over your benefits and confirm you are being billed correctly.

Christopher Garcia · Answer

while Medicare does cover emergency transport, it does not cover it at 100%. If you have original Medicare, they typically cover 80% after you meet your deductible. If you have a Medigap plan and there should be no cost but that can vary based on which medigap plan you own and whether you have met your annual deductible. If you have a Medicare advantage plan then the co-pay will vary based on the plan you are on. You can refer to your summary of benefits to see what your co-pay is for ambulatory transport.

Answered by Christopher Garcia on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in NM, AZ, CO & TX

Answered by Christopher Garcia Medicare Insurance Agent

Doris Youngman · Answer

Depending on your insurance plan, you pay what is owed according to the plan.
If you didn't have insurance, you would be paying a lot more.

Fred Manas · Answer

What to do if you receive a surprise ambulance bill:
Review your Medicare information: Understand what Medicare covers for ambulance services. 
Contact the ambulance provider: Request an itemized bill and inquire about coverage. 
Appeal to Medicare: If you believe Medicare should have covered the bill, submit an appeal with supporting documentation. 
Consider disputing the bill: If you believe the bill is inaccurate or excessive, you can dispute it with the ambulance provider or Medicare.

Gary Henderson · Answer

Do have a Medicare advantage plan or a Medicare supplement plan. That's the real question here because just saying I have a $300 bill doesn't explain things you need to look at your explanation of benefits. If you have original Medicare and a supplement, you should be covered at 100%. After you paid $257 deductible

Answered by Gary Henderson on June 20, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Gary Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Brauer · Answer

Ambulance rides and other types of services are covered under the Part B of Medicare. If you got a bill for an ambulance ride, that is most likely the copay for the plan that you've enrolled into. If you had a MediGap plan, you may not pay anything, but remember, there is a monthly premium (pretty high sometimes) with MediGap plans, based on your age and zip code.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Ambulance companies don't collect your insurance information in an emergency. Look at the payment stub on the back and provide your insurance information. Mail it back to them so they can bill insurance. You may have some cost share after the insurance pays

Answered by Marcie Barnes on May 20, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Marcie Barnes Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Kramer · Answer

You are using the word "covered" as if that equals "free." First, you are not indicating if you are on original Medicare with a supplement, or an Advantage plan. Either way, an ambulance is not free! You either have co-insurance with original Medicare, (or the supplement would cover that, depending on the letter of the supplement), or a co-pay with an Advantage plan. Covered does not mean free!

Answered by Andrew Kramer on June 16, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Linda Davies · Answer

No, Medicare doesn't pay for all emergency transports.  Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally covers emergency ambulance services, and some non-emergency transports in specific circumstances.  Medicare Advantage plans may offer broader transportation coverage. 

See your plan’s evidence of coverage to know more about any  transportation benefits.

Todd Bostic · Answer

Medicare Advantage plans do have a copay for emergency transportation.  You will receive a bill for whatever the companies plan cost are if you have to use an ambulance, whether air or ground.

Fran Lovelace · Answer

Generally they do, with a coinsurance or copay. Turn your bill over and check to see if there is a way to submit your insurance information to the ambulance company. They usually do not collect it when picking up in an emergency situation.

Answered by Fran Lovelace on May 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in NC, SC & VA

Answered by Fran Lovelace Medicare Insurance Agent

Betty McCarty · Answer

Medicare covers transportation to the "nearest appropriate" medical facility. 

If you are taken to a location farther away, Medicare may only cover a portion of the cost, not the full amount.

Details regarding this policy can be found in your explanation of benefits package. 

For clarification or assistance with discrepancies, it is often helpful to consult with an agent near you. You can also reach out via email to us at bkconnections@comcast.net for further support.

Ryan Ross · Answer

You're not the only one — this surprises a lot of people!

Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance services, but only when it's medically necessary and no safer transportation option is available. Even then, it usually covers 80% of the approved amount after your deductible, meaning you’re responsible for the other 20% — and sometimes more if the provider is out of network or doesn't accept Medicare assignment.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, it can help cover those leftover costs. Some Medicare Advantage plans also include extra ambulance benefits, but it depends on the plan.

To help protect yourself from unexpected bills in the future, we can also look into a hospital indemnity plan. It’s a small monthly cost that can pay cash benefits directly to you for things like ambulance rides, hospital stays, and more.

Let me know if you'd like to schedule a quick review. I’m here to help make sure you’re covered before the next surprise hits.

Penny Wegner · Answer

I would have a couple questions for you before answering the question fully. Is this truly a bill or an EOB. I do advise my clients to make sure that their bill has gone through Medicare and their insurance before panicking as well. Advantage Plans do have a co-pay ranging from $250 and up.

Answered by Penny Wegner on April 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, CA, CO & 8 other states

Answered by Penny Wegner Medicare Insurance Agent

Rick Ried · Answer

Many of the services and benefits under Medicare have deductibles and co-pays.  

This is one that falls under part B and is subject to a potential 20% co-pay.  

A medigap plan or a Medicare advantage plan may have different co-pays

I just got a $300 bill for an ambulance ride I thought was covered. Am I the only one who didn't know Medicare doesn't pay for all emergency transport?

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I just got a $300 bill for an ambulance ride I thought was covered. Am I the only one who didn't know Medicare doesn't pay for all emergency transport?

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