Does Medicaid cover an ambulance expense?

Rickie22: You should really have started a separate thread, but since you asked, go to Medicaid.gov. That's a multi-faceted question.

Depends on what the prescription is for and where you live. Some states have limited Medicaid patients and make requirements for some drugs. Other states do not have these limits. Some states make patients show a photo ID when filling certain drug prescriptions and other states do not. Some prescription drugs are scheduled and you have to go through hoops to get them no matter what your insurance is, since the law requires that these drugs can only be prescribed for certain conditions. But for a drug such a Synthroid many pharmacies will even "forward" uninsured patients a week's worth if insurance is pending. If the patient has Medicare usually he/she is automatically assigned to a Medicare Part D plan. You have to call the plan (or maybe Medicare, not sure) to unenroll if you do not want it. Some states are combining care/caid. Although signing up is optional they put incentives in place. If you are uninsured, talk to your doc or nurse. If you need a drug many times they have surplus or "samples" in the office and they will give them out. My friend buys street drugs. There's no difference between street drugs and prescribed actually. One isn't legal. But with the other, you end up hooked on doctors obligatory appointments, a medical record that is like a police record that will follow you everywhere, and many times, unnecessary and costly tests.

Does Medicaid cover prescriptions?

Yes, because it is deemed absolutely necessary.

Medicaid does cover emergency ambulance transfers. The ambulance probably didn't have her Medicaid information, and that is why you/she received a bill. Call the number for the billing department on the bill and just give them her Medicaid information. Easy peasy.

It depends on your locale and where she was transported to and who transported her. Some towns have both private and town or county-run ambulance services. Depending on where they take her they may use either one. Plus they may use either one depending on which is available. Sometimes a patient requests to go to a certain hospital rather than another and for red tape reasons they call in a private service which isn't covered by Medicaid. Or they screw up and don't realize she has Medicaid and don't bill properly. The guys inside the ambulance often ask the patient questions and often screw up, either hearing incorrectly or writing down incorrect information. They may even overlook the obvious, such as medical bracelets and written documentation that's inside a patient's fridge intended for such emergency situations. I've seen them do things like call the person's pharmacy using wrong or outdated data, or rely on bystanders who may have the wrong spelling or other incorrect data. These red tape errors can end up either costly to patients and families or can cause serious medical damages.

I guess I am one of the lucky on our ambulance services are free in all the towns in our area (Quad Cities) When I fall, I have ALS. the ambulance service shows up help me get in my power chair and I sign a paper saying I am fine and they leave,

sounds like a billing mistake was made - contact the billing office about the wrong spelling and give them the Medicaid info - my mother has medicare and medicaid and has been to the hospital numerous times, both to be admitted and other times for ER visits - I have never received an ambulance bill for her and I don't think your mother should either. Good luck and I hope it is resolved soon

I believe igloo is right. The ambulance is covered if the person is admitted to the hospital (not just for observation).

Angel

Can decline to pay IF it was coded as "transportation" rather than "medical emergency".

Just call the ambulance company and give them your Mother's Medicaid number and they will rebill.

I would say yes!! Medicaid and i think Medicare would also cover most of it, if not all of it. I think the problem may be the name being misspelled. Contact the Hospital were she was taken and speak with the billing department and then maybe the ambulance service if necessary. Then contact Medicaid or appeal the charge if necessary.

My mom is in a nursing home and has been taken to the hospital numerous times. She is on Medicaid. I've never gotten a medical bill for her since she's been on it . I was told that debtors cannot come after the family to pay for medical bills incurred by the patient.

Looks like the answer would be yes www.hhs.gov/answers/medicare-and-medicaid/does-medicaid-cover-ambulances/index.html#