Coming to a state near you!

[Guest guest]

Meeting to tackle air ambulance horror stories over billing; No reciprocal

agreeement between competing services leads to huge bills

By Lucariello, Carroll County News

Two years ago, Bill was working in the Farewell area of Carroll

County when he fell 20 feet off a ladder and sustained seven fractured

vertebrae, six fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

He didn't have health insurance.

But he did have a membership in an air ambulance service, with the

membership sticker prominently displayed on the window of his pickup.

So he never thought twice when the paramedics called for a helicopter. That

would be one less worry - a costly airlift.

He was wrong.

The helicopter called was with a service that was not certified at the time

to work accidents in rural areas.

Not only that, the helicopter that came for him was 35 miles away, when his

own membership service was eight miles away. His service was never called,

though the ground crew that worked the accident claimed they called it.

didn't realize there would be a problem until he got a $6,500 bill

for his helicopter ride.

After he filed a complaint, the air ambulance service sued him for the

money. Despite his protestations in court that he had a membership in

another service that was ignored, that the service that was called was

illegal and that he was not well served by having to wait for a helicopter

35 miles away as opposed to eight miles, the Carroll County Court made a

summary judgment against .

He had to pay not only the bill, but their court costs, and wound up stuck

with a more than $8,000 tab.

" I'm one of a number of people in Carroll County this has happened to, " he

said.

You may have a membership in one air ambulance - even a lifetime membership

- but you may not realize that if an airlift is needed, that membership

doesn't mean a thing. The medical director will call the first service

available.

And in some cases, as later found out from other victims, he may

call the provider he works for.

If you don't have insurance, you may end up with a $6,000 to $10,000 bill

and no recourse.

That may change, if enough voters can convince Senator Randy Laverty and

Rep. King to sponsor bills to provide for reciprocal membership

agreements among the area air ambulances.

Those two representatives, along with Carroll County Judge ,

will be at the next meeting of the Western Carroll County Ambulance

Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 4 p.m. at the Holiday Island Suburban

Improvement District office at 110 Woodsdale Drive.

Judge invites the public to attend this important meeting and let

their representatives know their wishes.

For directions to the Holiday Island district office, call .

[Guest guest]

- It often happens that the legal horror stories don't have anything

to do with the law. I wouldn't trust most County Judges, former or current,

to handle a traffic ticket. It sounds like Mr. may need better

legal representation. Based on the stated fact that he had no medical

insurance, it is likely that he can't afford to pay for it. Summary

judgment likely means Mr. did not file an opposition to the other

side's request for it. Most law schools only provide free legal services to

criminals to " protect their rights. " Not to assist someone in a civil

action to avoid liability or collect for damages. A few Dallas law firms do

have legal storefronts that assist the indigent, especially with cases that

have high potential for public appeal (and publicity). At this point, the

statute of limitations is or will soon run out and would likely require the

services of a highly experienced attorney. Even in the big city you see

companies taking illegal collection actions and highly paid opposition

attorneys not putting a legal fist in their faces.

It is unlikely that any State law would be passed to have one company's

" insurance " cover another company's services. Air ambulance membership is

similar to HMO health coverage, rather than PPO or full coverage. If the

company is not in the " Plan, " you are SOL. Forcing reciprocal coverage is

likely to eliminate coverage. I don't see it as a viable economic model -

and that's what the legislature will hear.

J P Osborn, Dallas, TX

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of Bledsoe, DO

Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 8:45 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Coming to a state near you!

Meeting to tackle air ambulance horror stories over billing; No reciprocal

agreeement between competing services leads to huge bills

By Lucariello, Carroll County News

Two years ago, Bill was working in the Farewell area of Carroll

County when he fell 20 feet off a ladder and sustained seven fractured

vertebrae, six fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

He didn't have health insurance.

But he did have a membership in an air ambulance service, with the

membership sticker prominently displayed on the window of his pickup.

So he never thought twice when the paramedics called for a helicopter. That

would be one less worry - a costly airlift.

He was wrong.

The helicopter called was with a service that was not certified at the time

to work accidents in rural areas.

Not only that, the helicopter that came for him was 35 miles away, when his

own membership service was eight miles away. His service was never called,

though the ground crew that worked the accident claimed they called it.

didn't realize there would be a problem until he got a $6,500 bill

for his helicopter ride.

After he filed a complaint, the air ambulance service sued him for the

money. Despite his protestations in court that he had a membership in

another service that was ignored, that the service that was called was

illegal and that he was not well served by having to wait for a helicopter

35 miles away as opposed to eight miles, the Carroll County Court made a

summary judgment against .

He had to pay not only the bill, but their court costs, and wound up stuck

with a more than $8,000 tab.

" I'm one of a number of people in Carroll County this has happened to, " he

said.

You may have a membership in one air ambulance - even a lifetime membership

- but you may not realize that if an airlift is needed, that membership

doesn't mean a thing. The medical director will call the first service

available.

And in some cases, as later found out from other victims, he may

call the provider he works for.

If you don't have insurance, you may end up with a $6,000 to $10,000 bill

and no recourse.

That may change, if enough voters can convince Senator Randy Laverty and

Rep. King to sponsor bills to provide for reciprocal membership

agreements among the area air ambulances.

Those two representatives, along with Carroll County Judge ,

will be at the next meeting of the Western Carroll County Ambulance

Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 4 p.m. at the Holiday Island Suburban

Improvement District office at 110 Woodsdale Drive.

Judge invites the public to attend this important meeting and let

their representatives know their wishes.

For directions to the Holiday Island district office, call .