In communities around the country, the cost of ambulance service is a major issue. However, recent decisions by local planners mean that residents in Crozet no longer have to worry about getting billed for ambulance services.
Reports from the Daily Progress in late August show that a public meeting of established local ambulance services, including the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad, saw an announcement that local rescue companies will not be billing residents for ambulance travel. This is in keeping with an insurance-only billing policy that, according to the newspaper report, is in place in several nearby counties, including Augusta, Nelson, Prince William, Roanoke, Stafford and Louisa counties, among others.
The report also reveals ambulance rides in the community generate bills of between $450 and $750, with a $13 per mile surcharge.
These rates are based on a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fee schedule, according to Albemarle Fire and Rescue.
Ambulance Costs
One of the details facing public planners is that county departments are projected to experience a shortfall of about $200,000 because of the insurance-only billing practice.
However, to residents of these communities, this dedication to public health and safety is well worth the costs in terms of tax dollars. In other communities around the country, those unfortunate enough to need an ambulance ride are often outraged by medical bills totaling many hundreds of dollars, and into the thousands of dollars, for one ambulance ride.
Ambulance costs are just one factor in a very difficult industry. Unlike in retail industries, there is the real lack of price transparency in medical services. There’s also the issue that medical costs have skyrocketed out of control compared to every other indicator, for example, median household income or consumer price indexes.
Medical Costs and Personal Injury Law
One of the reasons that injury victims rely so much on professional Virginia personal injury attorneys is that they need protection from these sky-high medical costs.
Even routine care for an injury like a broken limb can generate bills into the six figures. These bills will typically be much more than a family can afford, even on a payment plan.
The staggering rate of medical bankruptcies in America is one reason the federal government has been pursuing healthcare reform and a plan to cover more Americans with insurance. The same problems hold true for the set of patients represented by personal injury attorneys — they are incurring these huge bills through no fault of their own, and they will need help to protect their family’s future and their finances.
Getting Help from Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
In Charlottesville Virginia, residents who experience an unfortunate injury can call the local law firm of Martin Wren P.C. to get help from qualified Virginia personal injury attorneys. We take the time to listen to every client, and pursue their personal injury claims with attention to federal, state and local law. We will help you to get the best chance of collecting money for those enormous medical bills and other costs of care and recovery.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
