Ambulance services provide emergency medical care. Paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs) take care of you on the way to the hospital. Ambulances may also take you to and from healthcare facilities if your health keeps you from traveling by other means.
Medicare is a federal government program. It provides healthcare coverage for people 65 and older. It also provides coverage for people of any age who have certain disabilities.
Medicare is divided into 2 parts: Part A and Part B. Each part covers different services. Both parts pay some of the costs for needed medical services.
Medicare covers ambulances under Part B when:
First you must pay your deductible. Then Medicare will pay 80% of a bill it approves. You pay 20%.
In some cases, you may be billed additional fees by the ambulance service. This happens if the ambulance service does not have a contract with Medicare to accept the amount Medicare pays as payment in full.
Some ambulance companies offer memberships. Members pay a set amount each year. After you use the ambulance, the company then bills Medicare. You may not have to pay the 20% or the deductible. If you have a membership, it is a contract for a service. Each contract is different, so be sure to read it carefully. Check with your local ambulance service about specific details.
For more information, call Medicare at 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Or visit the Web site at http://www.medicare.gov.
