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?
Answered by 22 licensed agents
Answered by Maureen McKenna on April 3, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, AZ, CO & 19 other states
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.
Answered by Charise Karjala on April 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, CO, PA & WA
Answered by Nikki Rowland on April 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in SC & NC
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.
Answered by John Stagner on May 13, 2025
Broker Licensed in MO & TX
Answered by Jay Larshus on April 8, 2025
Agent Licensed in TN & VA
Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 25, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
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.
Answered by Diana Garner on June 3, 2025
Broker Licensed in KY, FL, IN, OH & TN
Answered by Dana Dane on April 14, 2025
Agent Licensed in OR, AZ, CA & 6 other states
you will have coverage . You will pay a co=pay.
Answered by Aaron Solomon on April 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH, LA & TX
Answered by Shelly Hefley on May 5, 2025
Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL, KY & TN
Answered by Christopher Garcia on April 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in NM, AZ, CO & TX
If you didn't have insurance, you would be paying a lot more.
Answered by Doris Youngman on April 7, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, AL & GA
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.
Answered by Fred Manas on May 23, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states
Answered by Steve Brauer on April 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ & CA
Answered by Marcie Barnes on May 20, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states
See your plan’s evidence of coverage to know more about any transportation benefits.
Answered by Linda Davies on May 31, 2025
Broker Licensed in IL
Answered by Todd Bostic on May 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AZ & 12 other states
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 [email protected] for further support.
Answered by Betty McCarty on April 19, 2025
Agent Licensed in WA
Answered by Fran Lovelace on May 29, 2025
Agent Licensed in NC, SC & VA
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.
Answered by Ryan Ross on May 5, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, GA, KS & 9 other states
Answered by Penny Wegner on April 15, 2025
Agent Licensed in WI, CA, CO & 8 other states
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
Answered by Rick Ried on May 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
Tags: Coverage
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