Latest news with #privateambulance
Independent Singapore
13 hours ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
Singaporean shocked by $300 ambulance bill after calling 1777 despite being quoted $220
SINGAPORE: A man who arranged for a private ambulance to transport his father to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) was left surprised and frustrated when he was billed $300, despite being quoted $220 during the initial phone call. The man, who identified himself as Patrick, told Stomp that he had called the 1777 non-emergency ambulance hotline on May 29 to request a private ambulance to ferry his father from their home at Upper Boon Keng Road to TTSH. The journey is about 5km and typically takes just 10 minutes. Patrick said that he turned to 1777 after a previous experience with the 995 emergency hotline left him concerned about hospital destinations. 'I just had an experience with 995 that the ambulance will only go to the nearest A&E, even if it is a private hospital that is closest,' he explained, 'My question is, what happens if a person cannot afford a private A&E?' 995 is run by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and does not charge for emergency cases. SCDF charges $274 for each non-emergency case conveyed to a hospital. 1777, meanwhile, is a private service operated by Connect Centre, a company that provides customer service outsourcing. In Patrick's case, Raffles Hospital is geographically closer than TTSH and calling 995 would mean his father would be taken there, despite the fact that it is a private hospital. 'It's quite ridiculous that he can't use 995, which can be free, because they will take him to Raffles Hospital,' he told Stomp. To ensure his father could be taken to TTSH, a government hospital, Patrick opted for 1777. 'During the 1777 call, the person on the phone quoted $220,' he said. But upon arrival at TTSH, Goodwill Ambulance Services stunned him and produced an invoice for $300. 'I informed the ambulance attendant that I was quoted $220 and asked why it was now $300,' Patrick recounted, 'He told me to clarify with 1777, which in turn pushed me back to Goodwill.' Not wanting to create a scene at the hospital's A&E department, Patrick paid the full amount but later emailed Goodwill to question the charge. 'How do you justify $300 for such a short distance between Upper Boon Keng to TTSH?' he wrote. In response, Goodwill Ambulance Services' managing director, Merrill Mathew Babu, indicated that the issue could have stemmed from a miscommunication by 1777. He told Patrick: 'For this issue, you will need to clarify with 1777 as the call centre is on 1777's end. Our charges are standard to 1777, which is $300 including GST for every case.' He added, 'This was what we have quoted 1777 for the transfer. We are unsure how 1777 has conveyed the information to you. We will bring up this issue to 1777 to ensure they inform the caller of the pricing accurately. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.' The situation has left Patrick questioning the Ministry of Health's (MOH) involvement in the 1777 service. 'My main issue is why the Ministry of Health is promoting 1777 when it's fully private,' he said, 'and worst of all, you can't direct the 995 ambulance to the nearest government hospital, but instead, they will take you to the nearest hospital even if it is a private hospital.' In 2021, the MOH published a list of fees charged by various private ambulance operators to help ensure greater transparency. A similar list can also be found on the Connect Centre's website. According to SCDF guidelines, emergency ambulances will only transport patients to the nearest MOH-designated hospital with appropriate medical facilities based on travel time, regardless of whether the hospital is public or private.
Medical News Today
12-05-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Life Flight and Medicare: Air ambulance costs
Medicare does not pay for a membership with Life Flight, a private air ambulance service that operates primarily in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West of the United States. However, Life Flight can help pay the remaining air ambulance fees after Medicare kicks in. Medical transportation via helicopter or airplane may be needed if someone has an emergency in a place that is inaccessible to covered medical transportation. This can happen during bad weather or in locations where only an air ambulance can reach. Since an air ambulance can be costly, even with Medicare coverage, a person may consider enrolling in a private ambulance service. This service can assist with any remaining expenses after Medicare coverage is applied. However, an individual will need to pay an additional monthly fee for this service. This article discusses the relationship between Medicare and private ambulance services like Life Flight. Does Medicare cover the cost of Life Flight? Medicare does not cover the Life Flight membership fee. But during an emergency, Medicare might cover the cost of an air ambulance from Life Flight. This typically happens if a person resides in an isolated or hazardous area and lives with a chronic condition that may require emergency air transport. Private ambulance services like Life Flight step in to offer such emergency air transport options. These services bill Medicare for the flight and cover the person's remaining coinsurance. How much does it cost to fly in with Life Flight? A basic Life Flight membership for an air ambulance costs $85 per month. A person can select a higher tier membership depending on their needs: A person should be aware, though, that Life Flight only operates in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, serving the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. The service also partners with a few other air ambulance companies in California and Nevada. In Oregon specifically, a person can also enroll in ground transport only for a mid-tier fee. Individuals wishing to enroll in private air ambulance services outside these states can explore available options in their area. These options have varying costs. When does Medicare cover being airlifted? Generally, for people residing in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), the SNF is responsible for transport costs under Medicare Part A. In other cases, though, ambulance coverage falls under Medicare Part B. This includes both emergency and nonemergency ambulance services when medically required. It also applies to air ambulance services in emergencies when ground ambulances cannot access the location. A person enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan is entitled to the same coverage as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). However, some Part C plans might require a person to use in-network ambulance services for coverage. » Learn more:Do Medicare plans cover medical transportation? How much does Medicare pay for medical transport for seniors? Paying for transportation via an air ambulance can be costly out of pocket. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners notes that a 52-mile flight in an air ambulance can range from $12,000 to $25,000. That said, if an individual has met their Medicare Part B deductible ($257 in 2025), Part B will cover 80% of this expense. The remaining balance becomes the person's responsibility as coinsurance. At this point, a service like Life Flight could cover the remaining cost. A person considering a membership with a service like Life Flight should remember that they must also pay their Part B premium to keep their Medicare coverage. In 2025, this premium begins at $185, depending on income. This means that a person's total minimum monthly fee for Medicare Part B and Life Flight would be $185 plus the $85 Life Flight membership fee. This works out to $270 per month ($3,240 per year). This amount will differ under Part C because these plans are managed by private insurers, meaning they have varying premiums, copays, and deductibles. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) states that the average monthly premium for Part C plans is approximately $17 in 2025. In addition to enrolling in a Part C plan, individuals also still need to pay the Part B premium. Some Part C plans might cover this Part B premium for them. Given the high costs associated with air ambulances, individuals might consider joining a private ambulance service that can help pay the remaining expenses after Medicare covers its portion. However, this typically involves an extra monthly fee that Medicare does not cover. Life Flight is a private air ambulance service primarily serving the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West of the United States. It can assist with covering the remaining air ambulance expenses after Medicare has been applied. 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