Woman fights insurance company over ambulance bill

MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — A Hewitt woman is fighting Blue Cross Blue Shield over a $511 ambulance bill despite meeting her deductible and out-of-pocket maximum for the year.

• Shelia Smith is fighting Blue Cross Blue Shield over a $511.36 ambulance bill she received after calling 911 when her husband collapsed, despite having met her deductible and out-of-pocket maximum for 2024
• Smith argues it’s not about the money but the principle, questioning if insurance companies expect patients to take Ubers or call in-network ambulances from nearly 30 miles away during emergencies
• Blue Cross Blue Shield states that most ambulance companies nationwide don’t have agreements with health insurers and don’t negotiate rates with insurance companies

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

A Hewitt woman is challenging her insurance company after receiving a $511.36 ambulance bill for emergency services she believed should have been fully covered.

Shelia Smith called 911 last year when her husband collapsed in her arms during a medical emergency.

“I thought he had a heart attack and died right there in my arms. I was able to lower him to the ground, call 911, and they sent an ambulance,” Smith said.

AMR, the only ambulance provider in Hewitt, responded to the emergency call. However, Smith later discovered her insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, would not cover the full cost of the ambulance service.

“And I know in the grand scheme of things, it does not seem like a lot of money to someone, but when you continue to have medical bills and we had met our deductible and out-of-pocket max for 2024,” Smith said.

Smith is now on her third attempt to appeal the charge. She maintains that her fight isn’t about the money but about the principle of the matter.

“Does Blue Cross Blue Shield want us to take an Uber? Do they want us to call an in-network ambulance service that’s 28.1 miles away from our house? Is that the answer? I don’t think so,” Smith said.

When contacted about the situation, Blue Cross Blue Shield responded that most ambulance companies don’t have agreements with health insurers and don’t negotiate rates with insurance companies. The insurer stated this is a nationwide issue, not limited to Hewitt.

Smith hopes insurance companies will prioritize people and services over premiums.

“I see why people take the risk of driving their loved one, even when they’re panicked,” Smith said.

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