Alicia Wieberg faces the tough decision of selling her childhood home after receiving an $81,739.40 medical bill following her mother’s death

In a distressing turn of events, Alicia Wieberg is grappling with the loss of her mother, Debra Prichard, and the added burden of an enormous medical bill that has forced her to put her family home up for sale. Debra Prichard passed away at the age of 70 on October 31, 2023, after receiving treatment for a stroke and several aneurysms at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

The medical emergency required Debra to be transferred from her local hospital to the specialist centre via helicopter ambulance, operated by Med-Trans Corp, part of Global Medical Response. Following her mother’s death, Alicia was confronted with a staggering bill of $81,739.40 for the air ambulance service.

The financial strain is compounded by the fact that Debra was enrolled in Medicare Plan A, which does not cover the costs associated with the helicopter ambulance service. Had she been signed up for Medicare Plan B, the charge would have been significantly lower, potentially less than $10,000, taking into account the No Surprises Act of 2020. This act limits consumer costs to in-network sharing and prohibits balance billing for emergency transport services.

Alicia has appealed to the air ambulance company and Medicare for a reduction in the bill, but Global Medical Response has since filed a legal claim against her mother’s estate for the full amount. Left with no other option, Alicia is now faced with selling the family home where she was raised and where her mother lived for nearly 50 years.

Global Medical Response spokesperson Nicole Michel stated that the patient advocacy team is working with Alicia’s attorney to explore any other applicable medical coverage that could be billed. If no other coverage is found, they are committed to finding an equitable solution with Alicia.

The situation highlights the complexities and potential gaps in the Medicare system, particularly for older adults who may need comprehensive coverage. Alicia’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the financial challenges that can accompany healthcare in the United States.