Mary Castellano

Review of Donald Marten Ambulance

I had appointment in J2 of Cleveland Clinic Main C...

I had appointment in J2 of Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, I had already checked in and was with patient ID band. I was there for pre- appointment EKG. While there I experienced SOB, Chest Pain and LOC. I was at time on EKG machine, blood pressure went to 197/120 HR 135. The staff felt I needed Emergency Cardiac Care in E.R. Which was less than 400 yards (quarter way around block).

Instead of using gurney transport or CCF Emergency transport, Donald Martin Transported me out of J2 and quarter way around block to CCF ER. I am Medicare/Medicaid, they had to know for whoever ordered their service already had me checked in. To that I was admitted to cardiac unit. I know I had to sign something from ambulance crew allowing billing.

Well, Donald Martin did not attempt to bill Medicare or Medicaid following this inter CCF emergent transport. So now, they want me to pay $879.00 for their 3 minute service door to door. They missed submission of billing and now are placing with collection agency. My income is protected, Social Security that does not even equal the $879.00 bill a month.

Pleasant on phone but only real word heard was UNFORTUNATELY. Now If I had understood or been informed that I had to sign another form that came as a BILL FOR $879. As soon as I would have understood or been told, ( doesn't help when in and out of hospital since this occurrence) I would have done what signature needed.

Tell me they had my Medicare/Medicaid # at moment of pick up. I did not call ambulance, staff at CCF through DR. Determined needed emergent medical care. My information had to be given, some one signed for my release out of J2 into Donald Martin Ambulance. AND UNDER CMS MEDICARE PART B RULES, THAT EMERGENT AMBULANCE TRANSPORT FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCY IS 100% COVERED.

UNDER TITLE 42 CMS GUIDELINES; if no benificery signature is able to be obtained through attempted DOCUMENTED avenues, then the ambulance provider can submit billing with their documentation.

INSTEAD, THEY NOW ARE TELLING ME TOO LATE BECAUSE WE DID NOT BILL IN TIME, SO YOU OWE US $879.00. It is making me wonder how many elderly people are being taken by same scheme. IT is BLANTANTLY OBIVIOUS THAT MEDICARE CONTRACTS FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR FOR EMERGENCY AMBULANCE TRANSPORT. SO, IF YOU ARE IN SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION AND DONT HOP TO QUICK ENOUGH OR KNOW WHAT OCCURS IF DON MARTIN DECIDES NOT TO SUBMITT BILLING AS DIRECTED BY TITLE 42. It seems they WOULD RATHER TAKE $ 879 from people who are covered but to ill to defend self. PATHETIC BILLING PRACTICES