Good Sam Denies Medical Emergency Air Ambulance Claim

Above, the air ambulance helicopter that took me to Twin Falls. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

This is a story I can relate to somewhat.

When I had my heart attack in Wells, Nevada last July, I was in no condition to make any medical or any other kinds of decisions. Luckily, my friend Mitch Geriminsky took charge. He was told that there's a hospital in Elko, Nevada and a better facility in Twin Falls, Idaho. He opted for Twin Falls. Soon, I was airlifted by helicopter to Twin Falls.

Fortunately, since this was a medical emergency, it was all covered.

Some people aren't so lucky with their insurers.

From the Los Angeles Times:

Of the many dubious reasons insurers use for denying claims, one of the most bizarre is telling a patient they neglected to obtain prior approval for treatment in the midst of a medical emergency. 

Because, of course, the first thing most people think of in a life-or-death situation is phoning some insurance company’s call center and jumping through bureaucratic hoops. 

Kathy Mutchler faced this Catch-22 recently — and found herself saddled with a $71,000 air ambulance bill — after being diagnosed with a severe kidney infection in Mammoth Lakes, where she was staying with her wife in an RV park. 

Mutchler, 64, who these days calls the open road home, is a member of the Good Sam Club, the world’s largest organization of recreational vehicle owners. You’ve probably seen the stickers on the backs of RVs and campers. 

Mutchler pays $89.99 annually for the service’s TravelAssist program, which, among other things, says it covers medical evacuations if suitable care isn’t available locally, as well as any costs involved in returning to your RV. 

Mutchler’s wife, Kathy O’Hara, 60, joined her for the trip and contacted Good Sam as soon as they landed in Nevada to let the organization know what was happening. She was given a case number by a service rep. 

Mutchler was hospitalized for three nights. Her condition gradually improved, she was released from the Reno medical center, and she and O’Hara rented a car for the return to Mammoth Lakes — an expense they believed that, like the air ambulance, would be covered by the Good Sam coverage. 

It was on the drive home that a Good Sam rep called. Mutchler’s claim had been denied. She’d be responsible for the air ambulance and rental car costs.

To read more, go here.