Air Ambulances With Sky-High Charges

Health Aff (Millwood). 2019 Jul;38(7):1195-1200. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05375.

Abstract

Charges for air ambulance services were 4.1-9.5 times higher than what Medicare paid for the same services in 2016. The median charge ratios (the charge divided by the Medicare rate) for the services increased by 46-61 percent in 2012-16. Air ambulance charges varied substantially across the US, and some of the largest providers had among the highest charges.

Keywords: Air ambulance; charge; out-of-Network; price; surprise medical bill.

MeSH terms

  • Air Ambulances / economics
  • Air Ambulances / statistics & numerical data*
  • Emergency Medical Services / economics
  • Emergency Medical Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Fees and Charges / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Medicare / economics*
  • Time Factors
  • United States