Pridestar Ems

I had Pridestar do a transfer for me back in 2010 when I had my hip replaced. They drove me from Saints Mem Hospital to Douville manor for my rehab stay. This transfer was 5 miles at the very most. They charged me $ 861.00 for the ride, my insurance company paid $ 230.00 which I think is more than enough for what was done. I was left with an outstanding bill for $ 561.00 for a 5 mile ride. I was not on advanced life support, I was not pulled out of a burning vehicle, I was give a ride to the rehab place. When I called their billing I got this snot nosed attitude telling me that this is the standard rate… Do not use these people, they have crooked billing practices.

The driver and tech’s were fine… no complaints.
I had asked the hospital (they ordered the ambulance), to make sure that this was a contracted BC/​BS provider. I asked the driver/tech’s the same question. I was assured with a «probably». (I had heard horror stories about people getting gargantuan ambulance bills after the fact.)
I was called a couple of days after the service inquiring about how our family was going to pay for this bill… since they weren’t a BC/​BC contracted provider.
I was also told by the ambulance billing office, that the insurance will make a payment to the insured directly since they *weren’t* contracted to BC/​BS.
After the dust settled, I telephoned the insurance company and was told that they were indeed paid directly, in full.
Sounded like Pridestar EMS billing is/​was very disorganized, sounded a little too greedy/​anxious to get their hands on the money. No one seemed to know the insurance status.
In the end, insurance covered it… but this is part of why our health insurance premiums are out of control in this country. No one knows anything… and nothing is chosen based on cost.
I would say that if you are concerned about insurance coverage for ambulance service for a family member… don’t use Pridestar EMS.
Any questions, private message me.