Does Illinois Workers’ Comp Cover Ambulance Rides?

Ambulance costs in Illinois can be surprisingly expensive, costing injured workers thousands of dollars just to reach the nearest hospital. Although this bill might raise your eyebrows, you may not need to pay it out of your own pocket. Like other medical expenses, ambulance costs should be covered by your workers’ compensation claim. How exactly does workers’ compensation in Illinois cover ambulance rides?

An Ambulance Trip Is Usually Covered Under Workers’ Compensation 

You should know that ambulance trips are usually covered under workers’ compensation. The general rule is that the employer and their insurance company is required to pay for all necessary medical expenses. Since ambulance transport is usually necessary, this should be covered under workers’ compensation.

This extends even to air ambulance services – the most expensive type of medical transport. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) states that a single air ambulance trip can cost $45,000. Air transport may be critical if you were injured while working in a remote location.

How Do You Determine Whether an Ambulance Trip Was Necessary? 

You may encounter a situation where the employer and their insurance company try to argue that your ambulance ride was not medically necessary. An ambulance trip is only unnecessary when it is not connected to the workplace or your injury.

For example, you might suffer a broken finger at the workplace but drive yourself home. If you slip on your stairs and break your leg before calling an ambulance, that ride may not be covered because you did not break your leg at your workplace. In this situation, the ambulance would also be unrelated to the initial workplace injury.

You might also encounter issues if you call an ambulance for an injury that doesn’t really require emergency transport. For example, you might have a repetitive strain injury (RSI) that gradually becomes worse and worse. If you reach the point where you can no longer work, you may be unjustified in calling an ambulance. A repetitive strain injury isn’t really a medical emergency in the same way as a broken bone or serious laceration.

Accept Ambulance Treatment After Your Workplace Injury 

If you’re in a situation where an ambulance arrives at your workplace after an accident, you should accept treatment and transport from paramedics. Do not attempt to “tough it out,” no matter how minor your injury feels. Your injury may be much worse than it seems, and you need proper testing to determine the most appropriate next steps. If you refuse transport, you may struggle to get compensation at a later date.

Can an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me Get Compensation? 

If you are encountering any issues while pursuing compensation for your ambulance costs, consider speaking with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Illinois. These legal professionals can help you fight for your rights and get the financial coverage you deserve. As long as your ambulance ride was medically necessary and directly related to your workplace accident, you should not have to pay. To learn more, contact Connolly Injury Law today.

Sources: 

ncci.com/Articles/Pages/Insights-Medical-Transportation-Costs-WorkersComp.aspx

chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/ambulance_bills.html