Medical transport experiences

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Chincoteaguer

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246
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Loved one DX
Diagnosis
12/2017
Country
Us
State
Virginia
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Carrollton
Rescue squad responded to 911 call last Monday and transported my wife to non-hospital emergency room. Kidney infection plus stone blocking ducks required another medical transport to hospital. Both transports covered by Medicare and med gap insurance.

Immediate procedure in operating room to place stent and four day stay at hospital. Medical transport home also covered by insurance.

Now faced with office visit transport and another transport for stent removal and kidney stone treatment. Neither covered by insurance.

Definetly need transport but are there less expensive options. Each transport is about $1,000.00.
 
What does she need? Stretcher? Wheelchair van? I know our local taxi/ airport limo service also does medical transport for wheelchairs into the city.

People who live closer to Boston have a service called the Ride which is connected to our transportation organization that runs commuter trains subway etc. they do wheelchair transport

Also the local council on aging has some limited resources for elderly and disabled.

These of course are local to me but perhaps there are similar organizations/ resources?
 
Our local ALS Assoc has a free transport program. We used it twice before we got our van. It worked out wonderfully. We scheduled a few weeks ahead (one ride was for a wheelchair fitting and the other to clinic, so we had plenty of advance notice) and they showed up, loaded him up and off we went. Door-to-door service was great. Not having to find parking in the city was definitely appreciated. The driver told us just to give him a 15 minute heads-up, and he was there to pick us up after the appointment. Reverse the process, and we were home. Check and see if your local has anything, I hope they do.

Also, MobilityWorks, where we ended up purchasing our van, does rentals. We also rented for a weekend before purchasing. That may be an option.
 
Since the trip to the hospital last Monday my wife is bed ridden. She was having great difficulty standing up before that. We hope to sit her up on the side of the bed tomorrow but it looks like she will need stretcher transport service. We will transport her by wheel chair if possible in which case I and our caregiver can drive her.

Local ALS organization has limited grants for transportation.
 
Is there anyway the doctors would meet you at the hospital to do those procedures? In which case I think Medicare and the gap insurance would pay for the transports, especially if a stretcher is needed?
 
Kate;

Not sure I know what you mean by "meet me". I just assumed they would be there when we arrived.

The procedure is probably out patient.

Another subject: wife has had her share of UTIs and her PCP prescribed cranberry capsules. Hospital orders said to stop taking the supplement. Have you had any experience with these things?
 
I just looked at Webmd for cranberry. Much info on a complicated and not-well-understood subject. Evidence says cranberry can prevent UTI, but not treat it.

Curious, what is the PCP's credential?

Also, doctors aren't normally first to meet you under any circumstances. Depending on the institution and the department and the day and time, you might wait awhile with no idea when you'll be seen. As a CALS, I would personally ensure your PALS will get her procedure at a preset time by a known experienced specialist who understands the patient's needs.
 
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I thought the insurance issue was because you were going to the doctors office vs a hospital , that's what I meant regarding the doctor " meeting" you at the hospital (wrong choice of words). We had to pay $1400.00 one time for a stretcher transport to and from a doctors office and were told that Medicare and the gap would have paid it had we seen them at a hospital. We never did do it again so I can't vouch for its accuracy. Hope you can find a way to all those trips paid for.
 
Kate I too thought he was saying they were needing to go to the doctors office, not the hospital.

I hope you can find a way around this.
 
Yes, I did say doctor's office, but I also said hospital.

To restate; we have an appointment at the doctor's office for "follow-up". After follow-up a hospital appointment for removing the stent and treating the stone will be made.

My initial info was that the office visit was not covered but the hospital visit was. The transport company says that neither are covered. Only a visit to the emergency room is covered.

If the hospital schedules the return home transport I think it will be covered.
 
Ernie, I can shine a bright light for you. Around here ambulance transport costs unless it’s an emergency. I’ve had to foot the bill even when it was a hospital run, but not an “emergency” and you’re right, it’s not inexpensive, hence why Brian has not been to a Dr. in forever.

Hugs,

Sue
 
Ask if the office visit can somehow be skipped by a combination of VNA, home draw for lab tests and some contact with the doctor from home. Telemedicine visit if available or phone or facetime.

Clearly the hospital procedure will require transport and has an obvious reason. When asking about the office visit lay it on thick how difficult and emphasize she would be arriving on a stretcher. You will need to speak with someone higher up than the initial phone answerer. If it is possible to have the doctor call you by just leaving a message great but another route might be starting by speaking with the nurse and enlisting him/ her as your ally. The extra visit will be hard for your wife and you don’t want to do it if it is just “ routine”
 
Nikki;

Your thoughts are mine. I initially asked if the office visit could be skipped. Nope.

Here is the deal. OR doctor who did the procedure said definitely that in 2 to 3 weeks the stent needs to be removed. Also, may treat the stone at the same time. Decisions made. No confirmation needed by office visit. I think if I could get to the doctor I might convince him to admit her to the hospital and make one trip do for all.

Ernie
 
Another thought would be get your neuro to call the Renal doc and explain that no she cannot travel, and yes she needs ambulance transport and no an office visit should not set you back 1500. Hopefully you have a good neuro.

Hugs,

Sue
 
Hope you can sort this out Ernie
 
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