Ambulances start charging extra for obese patients

[P_Instructor]

Charging for the specialized obese patient is an option, whether reimbursed or not from insurance. To get the reimbursement, you will probably have to have a specialized unit with cot capablilities to handle the heavy patient.

How are services charging for these patients? It it by the pound? Sounds like the meat packing industry. Oh, I guess sometimes it seems that's all we are doing. Is that where the term 'meat wagon' come from?

[FireMedic65]

Charging for the specialized obese patient is an option, whether reimbursed or not from insurance. To get the reimbursement, you will probably have to have a specialized unit with cot capablilities to handle the heavy patient.

How are services charging for these patients? It it by the pound? Sounds like the meat packing industry. Oh, I guess sometimes it seems that's all we are doing. Is that where the term 'meat wagon' come from?

If they are charging for obese patients without the proper equipment being utilized, how is that going to be justified in billing?

"OH yea, we charged you an extra $200 for equipment we didn't have because you are fat"

[Just Plain Ruff]

If they are charging for obese patients without the proper equipment being utilized, how is that going to be justified in billing?

"OH yea, we charged you an extra $200 for equipment we didn't have because you are fat"

No different than charging a patient for a cardiac monitor that the patient didn't need. Or charging for a pulse ox on a fractured ankle. How is that justified?

Or doing a 12 lead on a patient with no indications for needing a 12 lead. Just because we have the equipment doesn't mean we need to use it all, right?

Or flying a patient with a isolated ankle injury just because the local hospital doesn't have ortho services and the drive will be an hour or so long. Justifiable NOPE

[P_Instructor]

If they are charging for obese patients without the proper equipment being utilized, how is that going to be justified in billing?

"OH yea, we charged you an extra $200 for equipment we didn't have because you are fat"

I stand corrected. The should not be charging unless having the equipment available.

[HellsBells]

"Ambulance services are a critical public service and should accommodate the needs of all of those who require them at a fair cost," said Joseph Nadglowski, president of the Obesity Action Coalition, a group that advocates for the obese.

There are 2 possible solutions, charge the obese people an extra fee, or absorb the cost by increasing the general fee for everyone who uses the service. Its not really fair that all patients shoulder the load (so to speak) for the obese few. However, from a cost recovery stand point, its probably easier to recover small increases to many than large increases to the few.

How are we to determine "obese"? Fat != obese. Do we carry a scale with us? I know, sometimes it is obvious, but where do w draw the line?

I'd say we draw the line where special equipment, or increased manpower is needed, wasn't that the point of the article?

[FireMedic65]

No different than charging a patient for a cardiac monitor that the patient didn't need. Or charging for a pulse ox on a fractured ankle. How is that justified?

Or doing a 12 lead on a patient with no indications for needing a 12 lead. Just because we have the equipment doesn't mean we need to use it all, right?

Or flying a patient with a isolated ankle injury just because the local hospital doesn't have ortho services and the drive will be an hour or so long. Justifiable NOPE

I do not do billing, so I don't know what they charge a patient for what I do and don't do. I don't do unnecessary stuff though.

A place I briefly, and I stress BRIEFLY, did volunteer BLS for was terrible with that. They would bill for EVERYTHING. Itemized down to o2 use, airway (NPA/OPA), gauze, NRB, nasal cannula, etc etc. If they used it, it was billed for. All fine and good I guess. Until I realized any of those products used, the hospital replaced them at no charge to the ambulance. Example, if I were to put a patient on o2 using a NRB, I would get restocked that mask from the hospital for free. The hospital would charge them for whatever they used on the patient I guess.

Very shady business, I got out ASAP.

There are 2 possible solutions, charge the obese people an extra fee, or absorb the cost by increasing the general fee for everyone who uses the service. Its not really fair that all patients shoulder the load (so to speak) for the obese few. However, from a cost recovery stand point, its probably easier to recover small increases to many than large increases to the few.

I'd say we draw the line where special equipment, or increased manpower is needed, wasn't that the point of the article?

As ruff stated, would said equipment be needed for that patient?

[itku2er]

I am wondering what the actual poundage would be that they started charging more. Like well at 300 pounds you charge XXXXX over 400 pounds you charge XXXXX any thing over 500 pounds we will charge you whole bank account. Do they even have an ideal how they would propose to set these rates?

[NRPinNEPA]

How are we to determine "obese"? Fat != obese. Do we carry a scale with us? I know, sometimes it is obvious, but where do w draw the line?

Don't try to make a philosophical debate where there isn't one. We don't determine if a patient is obese or not. Since we are medical professionals, we use the term "bariatric".

Determining whether the patient is bariatric or not is simple. You only need to ask one thing...

"Do they fit on a regular litter without delicious spillover on the sides?" If not, they just bought themselves a bariatric litter and a bigger bill. End of discussion.

Why charge them more? Simple... you have to buy a special litter JUST for their fat ass. To say nothing of paying the medical bills of employees who ripped their spines apart lifting said fat asses.

[aussiephil]

My service has specialised Bariatric Trucks, filled with specialised equipment, oversize (fat assed) wheelchairs etc.

Our definintion is guided by the weight rating on our standard stretchers. We work in Kg, like most of the world so I will not convert it to pounds for you. It is currently 180Kg.

I think it is fair to charge more for the use of the fat truck. You choose to live as a fatty, you have to accept the consequences. This is one of those consequences.

If you dont like it, lose weight.

[itku2er]

My service has specialised Bariatric Trucks, filled with specialised equipment, oversize (fat assed) wheelchairs etc.

Our definintion is guided by the weight rating on our standard stretchers. We work in Kg, like most of the world so I will not convert it to pounds for you. It is currently 180Kg.

I think it is fair to charge more for the use of the fat truck. You choose to live as a fatty, you have to accept the consequences. This is one of those consequences.

If you dont like it, lose weight.

But what about the people with medical reasons to be obese? They do not choose to be obese they just cant loose weight due to a defect in their own bodies.