non profit airlift

[trishaann]

What is the name of your state? CA
My 18 year old son had a dirt bike accident which required him to be airlifted out of Pismo Dunes state park. Rangers there called CalStar which we learned is a non profit organization. They have since billed my insurance for $18,000 for this service. We have heard from Rangers there that they will probably write it off if they can't get any money from insurance and CalStar has given his name to other organizations that might pay for it. My son is a college student and lives with us but has no real job or money, so to speak. Do non profit organizations collect and can they come after us? Could you give me more info on how they operate?

[xylene]

Originally Posted by trishaann

What is the name of your state? CA
My 18 year old son had a dirt bike accident which required him to be airlifted out of Pismo Dunes state park.

Did your son have health insurance or insurance on his dirt bike?

Rangers there called CalStar which we learned is a non profit organization. They have since billed my insurance for $18,000 for this service.

Why did they bill your insurance? What insurance did they bill (health, car....) Was the bill denied?

We have heard from Rangers there that they will probably write it off if they can't get any money from insurance and CalStar has given his name to other organizations that might pay for it.

OK.

My son is a college student and lives with us but has no real job or money, so to speak.

That is not relevant, unless he was a minor when the accident occured.

Do non profit organizations collect and can they come after us? Could you give me more info on how they operate?

Non-profit means that the profit rolled back into the enterpirse, usually providing some good or service to the public. You are operating under the fallacious beleif that non-profit means free. This notion is incorrect. Yes non-profits can collect on debts.

However, you are not liable for this debt.

Your son is an adult, and the bill is his problem.

[rmet4nzkx]

Was your insurance carrier notified and did they approve the airlift? What were the extent of your child's injuries?

[averad]

Does the billed Insurance cover extreme sports?

[somarco]

Originally Posted by rmet4nzkx

Was your insurance carrier notified and did they approve the airlift?

Frankly, I have never heard of a pre-authorization for emergency transport. I hardly see how this is germane.

[rmet4nzkx]

Originally Posted by somarco

Frankly, I have never heard of a pre-authorization for emergency transport. I hardly see how this is germane.

Most insurance and hmo's require authorization even for emergency treatment because many people abuse emergency services, often time the authorization is done either by the PCP making a referal to the ER or a radio call to authorize transport. I asked the questions because we were not told the nature of the injury. If the adult son sprained his ankle then a life flight would not be required and he could wait to ground transport, if he had a head injury or was unstable then theu might authorize an airlift.

[somarco]

Notification, yes.

Pre-authorization, no.

The policies I have seen require you, or a representative, to notify the carrier within 48 -72 hours of emergency treatment or admission. The same policies also have language referring to medical necessity.

Air transport for a sprained ankle is not a medical neccessity and the claim would be denied.

Air transport for a life threatening emergency is a medical neccessity and would be a covered expense, at least in part.

[rmet4nzkx]

Originally Posted by somarco

Notification, yes.

Pre-authorization, no.

The policies I have seen require you, or a representative, to notify the carrier within 48 -72 hours of emergency treatment or admission. The same policies also have language referring to medical necessity.

Air transport for a sprained ankle is not a medical neccessity and the claim would be denied.

Air transport for a life threatening emergency is a medical neccessity and would be a covered expense, at least in part.

What did I say?
Are you in CA?
Yes the insurance can say NO to unauthorized transportation, it depends on the facts.

[somarco]

Some things never change, rmet. I see you stil have that bug up your butt.