We Are Not Billers.

[HappyParamedicRN]

We're told not to talk about billing. However, here are my views:


If they need to go by ambulance, the bill should be the least of their worries. It sucks, but with service comes cost. If they are afraid to be checked out due to a possible bill, I tell them there is no bill for me to check them out.

If it's BS and/or they don't need to go by ambulance, I'd advise them of such and state to what limit I'd actually be doing work while going to the hospital "We can take you, but there's nothing I'll be doing for you and you will probably just end up sitting in the waiting room for a few hours"

If they STILL insist on going by ambulance when there is no need, they brought the bill on themselves.

You are opening yourself up for huge amounts of liability by suggesting the patient go to the hospital on thier own or not at all!

I read a recent case where an ambulance responded to a 17 year old who did not feel well after a vigorous workout. Now most people would say he is 17 and will probably be fine and he should just stay home. The ambulance convinced the patient who was a minor to sign a refusal, illegal in itself with no parent or guardian present that the article m,entioned. His parents came home soon after to find him dead! So the lesson is no matter how minor the complaint seems, just transport especailly if the patient is the one who called for the ambulance! You could save yourself a lawsuit!!

I no longer do IFT thankfully, but it is in your best interest to just transport the patient in my oppinion, even if you really do not think they need an ambulance. To me, even if you feel you have the patient's best interest financially in mind you may not be aware of info that the staff is aware of ie: the patient is a high fall risk on stairs or some other reason. Some patient's, especially the elderly will put finances over thier own personal safety. and you telling them they will get a big bill will not help that. Chances are they won't, since most hospital transports home or to rehab are pre approved by insurance companies and medicare by a hospital social worker who deals with that stuff. Medicare A will not pay for a chair car ride so that is why some of those patients go by ambulance.

What you do in the end is your choice, but take it from an experienced EMS provider and a former RN, just transport unless the patient flat out refuses even after you attempt to CONVINCE THEM TO GO! Do not coax a patient not go allow transport....



Happy

 

[Jon]

Happy - There are many reasons and ways that it's appropriate for a patient to refuse care. And I think it is unethical to scare patients.

 

[jjesusfreak01]

I read a recent case where an ambulance responded to a 17 year old who did not feel well after a vigorous workout. Now most people would say he is 17 and will probably be fine and he should just stay home. The ambulance convinced the patient who was a minor to sign a refusal, illegal in itself with no parent or guardian present that the article m,entioned. His parents came home soon after to find him dead! So the lesson is no matter how minor the complaint seems, just transport especailly if the patient is the one who called for the ambulance! You could save yourself a lawsuit!!
Happy

Yeah, this was in Chapel Hill...was huge news when it happened. The medic should have been fired and had their cert pulled, but I don't know how it actually ended up.