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I was transported by code to an Emergency room other then the VA. The VA Stated that they are not a level one trauma center. Why am I stuck with the ambulance bill because I am not at least 30% disabled.
Posted 4 y ago
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Because ambulance services are not free and someone has to pay the bill. If we keep transporting without reimbursement, eventually there won't BE an ambulance because we can't afford to continue operating.
As for your specific situation....It sounds like you were transported Emergent (ie: lights and siren) to a more appropriate facility than the VA. Is TRICARE your only healthcare insurance? If not, they may be expecting anther policy to pay first (per Federal statute, TRICARE always pays secondary). I'm going to assume (based on the trauma center comment) you were involved in some sort of traffic accident. Worst case, if the other driver was at fault, THEY should be responsible for any expenses incurred.
As for your specific situation....It sounds like you were transported Emergent (ie: lights and siren) to a more appropriate facility than the VA. Is TRICARE your only healthcare insurance? If not, they may be expecting anther policy to pay first (per Federal statute, TRICARE always pays secondary). I'm going to assume (based on the trauma center comment) you were involved in some sort of traffic accident. Worst case, if the other driver was at fault, THEY should be responsible for any expenses incurred.
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PO1 Paul Townsend
The VA is the only Insurance that I have. I was suffering from what I was made aware of was a mini stroke and the paramedics that arrived transported me to the hospital. Community Care covered the hospital visit but Ambulance fall under Beneficiary Transportation and they state that because I am not at least 30% disabled they are not going to cover the bill.
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SP5 Peter Keane
VA is not insurance. If the transport was for other than a SC condition, you pay the bill
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MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P
PO1 Paul Townsend - I hate to hear you suffered a mini-stroke (or Transient Ischemic Attack, often referred to as TIA). Hopefully you have recovered with little or no deficits. Unfortunately, VA typically does NOT pay for conditions not directly connected to service related injury/illness. It's unfortunate, but I transport several patients a year who fall into the same category. They usually end up with the bill also. Hopefully your local hospital case management or the local Veteran's Assistance Office can help.
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You really answered your own question, your disability level is less than 30%.
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Because you are not eligible for that benefit. Just because you are a Veteran by itself, does not make you entitled to free medical care. You should have stayed in for 20 years and got Tricare for Life.
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